Adelaide turned two last week. This is a huge milestone as I no longer have to measure her life in months; now she's just TWO. Appropriately, her favorite new phrase is: "I'm a kid! Not much baby, no!" In celebration of her birthday we spent a few lovely hours at Grandma Mary's farm: chasing chickens, gathering eggs (Adelaide was so excited to throw the eggs into the bucket), holding the baby lambs and bunny, watching baby chicks, feeding the llama, playing in the hay loft, and riding on the tractor (after a few rounds in the tractor trailer, I asked Ada if she wanted to drive with Grandpa: "No. Ada drive by self."). It was a lovely time to spend together and such a great celebration of her life.

This past year has brought as many changes and developments as the year before, but much more settling as well. She's now a truly integrated part of our little family, and she's growing into all that personality. My favorite moments are when the three of us play on the floor together and Adelaide's favorite "family hug". On the rare occasions that Joe and I have a chance to be alone together (as wonderful as those moments are), I feel as though a small part of our relationship is missing. People said that I would forget what life was like before she was around, and that definitely has not happened (I remember my pre-baby independence all too well!). But I have forgotten how our marriage used to be when there were only 2 in the family, and I am already starting to wonder what it'll be like when she doesn't need us anymore -- if I'll adjust or if I'll always feel incomplete when she's away. Spending so many hours apart this year (as a result of my crazy residency schedule) has taught us to take full advantage of the smallest moments together. I hope that, as our lives get 'easier' over the next few years, we don't lose the ability to appreciate each other and enjoy the simple times we have together. Moving into her 3rd year of life, I am still so thrilled to be able to witness her development and to be learning together through the challenges.