Happy Birthday Dear Ava

Two years ago today, our sweet Ava Grace was born! It's so cliche to say this, but I can't believe how quickly she's grown from being a tiny baby to a little girl. The past two years have been the most fun, exhausting, joyful, selfless, happy, prayerful, thankful two years of my life. And we're just getting started. . .

This week, Ava has been saying, "Oh my gosh." We think she picked this up from a decorating show as the room was revealed. It could be worse, but still, it doesn't sound very nice coming out of her little two year old mouth. We have been redirecting her to say, "Oh my goodness" instead. A few nights ago during dinner, we repeatedly corrected her "Oh my goshes" to "Oh my goodness." After a few minutes, she announced. "I don't want to Oh my goodness. I want to Oh my Gosh!" She certainly has a mind of her own! Oh my Goodness! Needless to say, we're still working on it.

We've been so into the whole birthday thing lately that Ava has been singing "Hatty Burtday" to everyone and everything. In the past couple of days, she's sung happy birthday dear peanut butter, squeaky shoes, Abraham, and cantelope to name a few.

I love so many things about Ava, but mostly I love her spirit. She has something remarkable and hillarious to share with me everyday. I am blessed to be her mother.
Here are some pictures from Ava's ladybug birthday party:

Our little ladybug

Smiling for the camera Ava and mommy

Blowing out the candles