Benaiah’s 2nd Birthday

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How is my baby TWO years old?! It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming him home and now, he’s two and so full of life and emotions and ideas and dreams it makes me so happy. I wish there was a way to freeze time, because if I could, I would want to freeze it right now. While I am still the center of his world. While he still wants to snuggle up and read and sing with me. While he says, “Run, mama,” and chases after me. While he still wants to be held and tickled and loved on. Yeah, if I could freeze time, it would be now. And yet, I can’t and so I will snuggle him close and freeze the moments and tuck them away in my heart as much as I can.

This weekend was one of those weekends that I wanted to freeze each moment. Celebrating Benaiah’s birthday on a Saturday (his day of birthday) was such a fun way to celebrate and we were all able to be together. Time, please slow down.

Saturday – Benaiah’s second birthday

Benaiah’s second birthday started off with all of our favorite things, running, donuts, and coffee. We all woke up to rain, but decided it was worth risking it and went for a 3 mile family run and just missed the showers. After getting our miles in, we drove to the local farmer’s market and picked up a donut for Benaiah. Ever since we’ve moved, we’ve missed our free donut Fridays that our local bakery would host. Thankfully, that same local bakery sells their donuts and products at our farmer’s market, so Benaiah can still enjoy his favorite donuts.

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The farmer’s market is right next to the train tracks, which worked perfectly. We spent time watching the trains go by, while Benaiah enjoyed his donut. After picking up donuts, we came home, made a late breakfast and opened up his present from mom and dad. I forgot to grab wrapping paper (classic) so his trains ended up in a Trader Joes bag, haha. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind and loved playing with them for hours. It is so fun to watch his little obsessions/interest and help encourage those. Right now, he is obessed with anything with wheels, whether it’s trains, cars, trucks, anything works. We got him some super cute wooden trains, which kept him occupied for quite a while. A little while later, we packed up and headed for my parents for Benaiah’s big birthday party!

When I was planning Niah’s party a few weeks ago, I decided that it would be easier and more fun for everyone to host it at my parents. Both sides were able to come and hang out and celebrate Niah’s birthday. We made homemade pizza, salad, and homemade ice cream for dessert. I made my coconut milk ice cream, my mom made her famous vanilla ice cream and a super delicious cake.

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It was so cute to see the differences in Benaiah from his first to second birthday, this time he knew exactly who the party was for. After we ate, we opened up presents and he loved each of them. My parents got him a truck that he loved and played with for the rest of the evening (did I mention he loves trucks right now?)

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We had such a fun time hanging with my family, loving on Benaiah and sharing the joy of turning two years old with him – trains, pizza, ice cream, cake and all. His second year is off to a super sweet start, and even though I know there will be challenges in this brand new phase, I do love it. I love watching him learn and grow and see the wonder in his eyes. I love hearing his vocabulary grow and expand. Here’s to this new, sweet season. Happy second birthday, Benaiah. We love you.