Friday, May 10, 2013

We Have a TWO Year Old!

Meredith turned two exactly one week ago.  Once again I'll say, "Where has the time gone?".  I am such a nice Mommy, that I scheduled a doctor visit for her on her birthday.  Well, at least she didn't have to have any shots :)  This was a big event for Meredith.  She was now a big girl - she got to step on the scale to be weighed instead of laying on the baby scale.  Big moment!  She was scared to get on the scale and wouldn't stay on it very long for the nurse and also didn't like being measured for her height.  Of course, after the nurse left the room, Meredith kept going back over and repeatedly stepping on the scale, no problem.  Overall, Meredith is in great health, which we are so thankful for.  Daddy took the day off work so we could spend the day with the birthday girl (and, because we were out late the evening before at the Carrie Underwood concert), so after the appointment, we took her to Culvers for lunch.  Meredith loves looking at the tropical fish they have there:

Drinking from a big girl cup with a straw.

Fish!

We kept Meredith's party small this year.  It was great to have a big celebration for her one year birthday, but it was nice to just have a small get-together in our house this year.  I once heard some good advice about how to keep birthday parties under control: only have as many friends over as old as your child is.  It works out perfect this year.  We had Meredith's friend, Lauren, over and it was perfect!  They get along just like a brother and sister would.  Here are some pictures of the party:

We got a chance to use our new grill from Christmas!
My first-ever attempt at making cupcakes.  The strawberry cupcakes turned out pretty tasty, if I do say so myself.


Elmo heads...custom made by Mommy.

Mer loved the Elmo balloons Daddy picked up for her.
Elmo made an appearance!

Cheese!
Not quite as messy as last year's cake-eating experience.

She's getting good at opening up gifts.

Grandma Prentice got her this step-stool.  Lauren started playing the game of "jumping" off the stool, and Meredith was soon a copycat.

Awww.....

Finally, one with everyone looking at the camera.  I think Luke is the most alert of anyone.
 
Believe it or not, this is the best picture I could get of Meredith with all her gifts.  She's so lady like :)

To continue Meredith's birthday weekend celebration, we also took her to the same park in town that we took her to last year when she turned one.  Here are some pictures:


Luke's not sure what to think of everything...

She was SO proud to have been able to cross the bridge on her own.