On October 11, 2006, life as I knew it changed forever. I birthed a baby to the screams of, “It’s a GIRL!” by my nurse and doctor.
I had secretly hoped for a girl. For while I love my two boys to the point of a bursting heart, a girl was a whole new realm of the parenting experience. There is pink, and purple, and all things pastel. There are crushes on boys, glittery fingernails, slumber parties. There are puffy dresses, changes that I understand, angst that knows no bounds.
I was truly expecting another boy and was also looking forward to that possibility. I know boys. I get boys. I always had more boy friends growing up. Boys are, for lack of a better word, simple. Uncomplicated. What you see is what you get.
Girls are complicated. Emotional. They are often unreasonable. But they giggle a little different, they love a little sparklier, they brighten up a room with their femininity.
I got one, though I had feared to voice my hope for one. She was perfect. Still is, though she has a few chinks in her glory thanks to the fact that she happens to have a will of her own.
I wanted to do a video chronicling the past year (ala last year’s birthday post), but I started to see it as a chore instead of a treat, mainly because I couldn’t think of what song to use. A BILLION SONGS ON THE PLANET AND I CAN’T FIND ONE I LIKE.
Instead, I thought I would go through each month and pick my favurite photo of her. God truly knows that I should not have a problem finding one photo each month considering that I take about A BILLION OF THOSE EACH MONTH.
This was taken the week after her first birthday.
Squee! Baby!
Peekaboo!
Chubby baby fingers. NOM NOM NOM.
Taking her new kitchen very seriously.
That expression slays me.
My little snow bunny.
OK. There’s more than one of these, but HOW CUTE IS SHE?
Huh. Wonder where she learned that face from.
Her Easter dress.
She’s grown out of it but I cannot bear to pass it on.
Getting ready for the hot tub.
Getting out.
That is one of my all-time favourites. So is this one.
Um. And this one.
Yep. More favourites.
You can see a bit of her personality in this one.
And in this one.
That’s only a fraction of her personality.
A little more personality.
This is a new one.
I love the twinkle in her eyes.
Happy second birthday to the girl I always dreamed of but could never ever have imagined.
I love you, stinker.
28 Comments
Yay!!! Happy Birthday to the special little girl!!!
reddirtroad’s last blog post..One Point Two Percent
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Comment by reddirtroad on October 11th, 2008 @ 12:45 amOh baby baby!
Precious as always! Happy birthday, Emily!
camels + chocolate’s last blog post..A Delicate Balance
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Comment by camels + chocolate on October 11th, 2008 @ 1:35 amHow sweet! I love me some little girls! 
Happy Birthday, Emily?
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Comment by Lisa C. on October 11th, 2008 @ 4:58 amHappy Birthday, Miss Emily! You always make me smile.
witchypoo’s last blog post..Trying on Shoes
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Comment by witchypoo on October 11th, 2008 @ 5:44 amoh, happy, happy birthday! we will have a two next month (right around our thanksgiving). so bittersweet to miss the old baby, but a joy to watch them grow and learn. isn’t it?
SmockLady’s last blog post..That time of year
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Comment by SmockLady on October 11th, 2008 @ 6:48 amHappy Birthday Miss Emily. May your year be filled with sunshine and rainbows!!
Heather’s last blog post..Week Six….Can I do it?
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Comment by Heather on October 11th, 2008 @ 7:03 amHappy 2nd birthday, Miss Emily! God bless you (and your family) today and always!
bethany actually’s last blog post..The stars at night are big and bright where we are
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Comment by bethany actually on October 11th, 2008 @ 7:03 amHer character totally shines through in those photos!! Congratulations on having a two year old!!! Happy Birthday Emily!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Character
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Comment by Mrs. Wilson on October 11th, 2008 @ 7:44 amTwo!? Didn’t she JUST turn one not to long ago?! Boy that went fast:0 I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her via the blog grow up these past two years:) Looking forward to more wonderful posts and pics about her little life in the future!
Happy 2nd B-day Emily!!! Blessings to you sweetie:)
Randi’s last blog post..Upgrade Me
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Comment by Randi on October 11th, 2008 @ 9:00 amHappy Birthday Emily!
She’s so cute.
sizzle’s last blog post..It’s Not You, It’s Me
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Comment by sizzle on October 11th, 2008 @ 9:01 amLove to little Emily as she turns TWO!!! Where does the time go?
ELizabeth’s last blog post..Not discouraged
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Comment by ELizabeth on October 11th, 2008 @ 9:18 amMy wife just laughed while reading over my shoulder the part “Girls are complicated. Emotional. They are often unreasonable.”
I am keeping my mouth shut since she is sitting right next to me.
orlund’s last blog post..Friday’s photo: I Love Smiles
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Comment by orlund on October 11th, 2008 @ 11:29 amI love them all!! Such a precious girl!
Happy Birthday to Emily!
{ok, I especially love the ones of her doing the kissy face in her snow suit and the Easter dress!)
Elaine’s last blog post..My Recent Zen Moment Ruined (or not!)
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Comment by Elaine on October 11th, 2008 @ 11:31 amHAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMILY!!!!!
LVGurl’s last blog post..Fun pottery, great cause
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Comment by LVGurl on October 11th, 2008 @ 11:41 amHappy Birthday Emily!!!!
How does this happen? I swear it was just the other day she was a tiny baby… I was marveling at your pictures just the other day about how much she looks like a little girl and not a baby. It’s crazy! Thanks for letting us all be a part of her life.
Jill – GlossyVeneer’s last blog post..Last Chance!
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Comment by Jill - GlossyVeneer on October 11th, 2008 @ 1:41 pmAwww!!! Little Miss Emily is growing up so fast! Looking through those photos, I couldn’t believe all the time that has passed! I absolutely love the kissy face one – just like her Mommy! Your baby girl is growing into a beautiful little person! Happy Birthday Emily!
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Comment by Michele on October 11th, 2008 @ 3:37 pmAnd how could not one love her! What a precious angel!
contrariwise’s last blog post..Friday Downloads, Oct 10 : Crafts, Tutorials, and More!
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Comment by contrariwise on October 11th, 2008 @ 5:54 pmHappy Birthday, Emily. In you I have found my match: in strength of will, in stubborness, in body weight. We’ll master that sharing thing next year, OK?
Love,
Avelyn
Amanda Brown’s last blog post..Of Interest
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Comment by Amanda Brown on October 11th, 2008 @ 7:03 pmHappy 2nd Miss Emily!!
Kimber’s last blog post..Fall Foliage Festival
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Comment by Kimber on October 11th, 2008 @ 7:07 pmAwww, sweet! Happy Birthday, Miss Emily! Enjoy being 2!
Hannah’s last blog post..School hols
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Comment by Hannah on October 11th, 2008 @ 10:14 pmAwww! Happy Birthday to your sweet girl!
I’m now going to eat some cake in her honor. Because I am NICE like that 
Rhi’s last blog post..Friday Bullets: Off My Rocker Edition
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Comment by Rhi on October 12th, 2008 @ 10:23 amI freaking love that kid.
And? I cannot believe that you stand waiting to find out what it was. I would never have that patience. Besides, I can only buy green and yellow for SO long.
Loralee’s last blog post..Sideblog:Top Design Boot
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Comment by Loralee on October 12th, 2008 @ 9:52 pmHappy Belated Birthday to Miss Emily! She is such a cutie!
Sharon’s last blog post..Friday Love List – Thanksgiving Edition
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Comment by Sharon on October 13th, 2008 @ 7:11 pmHappy Birthday Emily! I love how expressive your face is! Hope you enjoyed that yummy looking cake!
joyce’s last blog post..Pumpkin Patch
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Comment by joyce on October 13th, 2008 @ 7:36 pmHappy Birthday to your sweet girl!
I will live vicariously through you So glad your dreams came true with all that pink and purple and frilly stuff
Kami’s last blog post..Big Changes
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Comment by Kami on October 14th, 2008 @ 8:49 pmLine and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Aww! Happy Birthday little girl! I hope to be as blessed as you are with your sweet kids as we plan to start a family in a couple of years.
karen’s last blog post..the scoop (finally! with pictures too!)
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Comment by karen on October 11th, 2008 @ 12:29 am