the big day

Can you believe it? She is 2 years old!

After having an “event” like this I always sit down after it’s over and think, “what the heck just happened?!” But the craziness didn’t matter, it was still a day I will never forget. Amidst the children running around and the mass hysteria that seemed to be going on, there were plenty of times when I would stop what I was doing and look at Brittain and everything around me became silent. It was as if I was watching in slow motion as I watched Brittain smile and laugh and enjoy the friends and family that surrounded her. What a difference a whole year can make. Last year the party was for us…and so we could have pictures to show her later what we did. This year was most definitely for her. She loved every minute of it.

Brace yourselves because I have TONS of pictures from this momentous occasion. There were cameras everywhere, but these are a mixture of photos taken by me, Aunt Susan, and Bradley Kirkland.

I finally decided on a zebra theme with the colors of black, white and hot pink. I found the cutest outfit for Brittain online and had the cake made to match. She was too cute!

As we sang “Happy Birthday,” Brittain actually sang along. When it was time to blow out the candles, I was prepared to lift her up and offer her instruction on exactly what she needed to do. Before I could even lift her up to the height of the cake, she had already blown them out!

Brittain was surrounded by all the people she loves the most. It was wonderful seeing her have so much fun. I wondered if the day might overwhelm her, but she seemed to take it all in stride.

My sister planned something really special this year. She, and the rest of my family pitched in to have Brittain’s blog printed and made into a book. I was overwhelmed! This birthday post will be the last one before the book goes to print. I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. I finally have a baby book for my child!

The “after party” was almost as much fun as the birthday party itself. Aunt CC and Uncle Matthew spent the night, so after the party ended and the guests went home, we kept celebrating.

These two years have flown by and have been more wonderful than I could have ever imagined. I look forward to the many more years to come. Thanks to all of you who love and support Brittain and remain shining lights in her life. Her light shines brighter because of you.

We had Brittain’s party after her actual birthday, but doing this only meant she got to celebrate twice. On the 13th, Gramy and Papa picked her up and took her out for a nice breakfast at Waffle House and then to get the sand for her new sandbox! We got home to set it up, and as soon as we did, it started raining. But, that didn’t stop us. We all stood out there in the rain while Brittain tried out her new ladybug sandbox. She LOVED it (and still does)!