...And Mav turns two!

We celebrated Mav's second birthday this past weekend and I can hardly get over that fact that although I am very pregnant, another "baby" right around the corner, my "baby boy" is now TWO years old. Oh Maver John, where did the time go? And, like all birthdays do, it literally just aged you over night. You woke up two years old and seemingly doing so much more. Sunday morning was your actual birthday, and Grandma Coppola had just flown in late the night before to spend a week with us and help Mommy prepare for baby sister on the way. So that was your first big birthday surprise, that Grandma was downstairs when Daddy brought you down. You were so excited to see your little pile of toys, Tula was up already and so excited to show them all to you, and help you unwrap them. You got your first big remote control vehicle, a Monster Truck, which is almost impossible for you to operate on your own right now but you love to try or even just watch Daddy play around with it. You got a set of 8 new mini monster trucks and you were over the moon about them. And a little boat for the tub and a ball and baseball glove from Sis that she picked out herself for you. You love your glove and ball and playing "catch" with whoever will take the time. Sunday morning, after a few presents, we had a lazy morning. You and Daddy went up to your room, you wanted to bring your MOnster trucks up and introduce them to the ones you already have, and you wanted Daddy to play with you and told him "door, close it" so you guys could hang out in there with all your new trucks and the door closed for no one to interrupt. You played a long time in there, which is not like you, you are getting so big and independent. You lined all your trucks up in a row, when I came in you said "look Mommy, LOTS!" It is fun to see you enjoying anything so much. You played with Grandma and Tula for a bit while Mommy and Daddy rested, then we packed up and went down to the pool for a picnic lunch and some swimming. Came back for naps and then went out for dinner to Oregano's and some playtime at what was a complete dump, but you enjoyed, a place in Phoenix called Jeepers. It smelled like a bowling alley (or worse) from 1942 (or older). It was in a crappy part of town and that should have told me, but I didnt even think about it. Oh well, you and Tula had a blast, going on a couple little rides like a carousel and a little mini roller coaster and train and some "rocket ships" that went around and around. It's amazing how you guys are so easily happy and entertained, and all those things that make us as adults completely grossed out and annoyed (smells, weird crowds, filthy carpet, etc.) do not even phase you. You pretty much though you were in Disneyland for 45 minutes, what an easy guy to please!

The next night, we had a couple friends over for a little birthday party so you could eat cake with your friends and be celebrated in that way too. It was a smaller crowd, only about 7 or 8 kids there, but at this point in my pregnancy it was totally exhausting for me and I truly couldn't have even handled much more. We had a few of our neighborhood friends over for a pizza party. They came and played for a bit, everyone ate pizza and wanted to play outside. Of our neighborhood friends, you are the youngest kid at this point (there are 3 babies on the way to change that!) but you can all of a sudden play so easily with all the big kids. Jumping on the trampoline with them, fighting over toys with the bigger kids, and even learning to share and play side by side with them all. We did the same thing as Tula's birthday, because Mommy is a clean freak, and had all the kids eat their cupcakes outside on the grass:) Then came in and you got to open a couple more presents from friends, play with toys for a bit, and everyone went home. You had a fun birthday party, and you have only been two for a couple days and already just seem THAT MUCH bigger to me.

Oh Maverick. Happy Birthday Buddy. You will soon be a big brother (hopefully any day). To be honest, the last week I have been just trying to make it to your birthday and NOT have a baby so you didn't share a birthday, but not that celebrating you is done I am ready! Once you are a big brother I know that will make you seem all the more bigger to me. Although I will forever cherish (and sometimes even miss) your baby days, watching you become the little boy that you are fills me with joy and pride. You are so happy, you are so eager to please, you are so so incredibly loving and you are so hilarious. You are two years old, all of these wonderful things, and showing us more every day. Happy birthday to my favorite guy in the whole wide world! Love you Maver!