Happy 2nd birthday sweet Brooklyn

Oh our little Brooklyn Helena, you certainly keep us on our toes. I can't believe that you are two already. These past two years have flown by, yet it seems like we've never been a family without you. You have grown a lot this year. You aren't my baby girl any more, you are a toddler with an opinion! You love to sing and seem to have an incredible memory for melodies. Your favorite songs to sing are "Twinkle, Twinkle", the Elmo theme song, "Cool, Cool Summer" (a VBS song from this past summer and you even request it in the car) and Jesus Loves Me. You can sing along with most of the songs on our cds in the car. I love hearing your sweet voice singing.

Look at you, ready to embrace life. This picture was taken last summer just after you turned one. You have certainly changed, mostly in your hair color. You're a blond now:) Not as blond as brother, but it has certainly changed. Like Hudson, you took your sweet time learning to walk. Finally at 17 1/2 months you decided to make walking your mode of transportation. You haven't stopped running since.

You and Hudson and Morgan play so well together. You love to pretend and stay quite busy together when Ethan is at school.

You love your big brother, as long as he lets you have your way and you are feeling cooperative. You have quite the strong opinion on most things little girl. You let everyone know with a loud shriek if you aren't getting your way. We are working on using nice words instead of screaming or biting.

You love Hudson! You two are so sweet with each other most of the time. If he is upset you like to bring him his blanket, bear and binky. You like to make sure he's ok. You two also sure know how to fight. Unfortunately right now biting is your biggest weapon.

Here you are at 18 months sweet girl. I love doing your hair, you have beautiful thick wavy hair. You are pretty good about sitting nice so I can put piggies in. Nana can even get a french braid in your hair, mommy hasn't attempted that yet. You love to talk with anyone who will listen to you and you are quite friendly with strangers in the store.

You and your sister are two peas in a pod. For the most part Morgan loves to have you tag along with her and she often brings you into her room to play some imaginary game. You two have a tendency to leave Hudson out quite often. I can't wait to watch your friendship grow as you get older. I pray that you'll always be friends. During VBS this summer when you saw Morgan on stage you kept yelling, "Hi Morgan, Hi Morgan!"

You are a girly girl. You love to dress up with Morgan and wear your pretty dresses. You don't seem to need as much sleep as Hudson. You are often up talking later than he is at night and you are usually awake first in the afternoon after your nap.

Now that Ethan can read, sometimes I can talk him into reading to you and Hudson. You both love books and actually sit quite well when we read to you.

You four are so close in age which can be so fun and so hard all at the same time. My favorite times are when all four of you are playing nice together. I know we are going to have lots of fun times as you get older and more independent.

Just like your siblings you loved the beach this summer. So many great memories are being made there!

I love how cuddly you still are. When I get you up in the morning you often lay your head on my shoulder. Those moments are so sweet. You love your mama and have a hard time when I leave you behind when I'm going somewhere.

I love this picture Brooklyn because it shows your independence and concentration. You often say "No my do it". You think you can do everything yourself. You will sit and concentrate on books, puzzles or some other toy you are playing with. I still go hunting for you when I can't hear you any more because that usually means you've found trouble, like coloring your arms and legs with markers. I love your content and independent spirit Brooklyn. It will serve you well as you get older. We love you sweet girl!