2nd Birthday!

Then and Now

Corey at his 1st birthday party

Corey today!

Corey's accomplishments this year:

• Learned to walk, run, dance, and climb
• Learned to say about 30 words and understand about 150
• Lost all his baby fat and became a lean mean muscle machine!
• Figured out all kinds of gadgets, including pens, zippers, buckles, the cellphone, the stereo system, and all his interactive toys
  
• Became a park-loving kid, overcoming his fears of grass, sand, and swings
• Showed us how to be joyful and loving every day, reminded us to play, laugh, smell the flowers, be curious and excited about the small things in life, and ENJOY THE MOMENT :)
  

Corey's actual 2nd birthday was on June 12th, but we celebrated with family on Saturday. I had chosen stars as a simple theme for the party, because Corey is fascinated with them and knows the word: "STAH!" Almost as an afterthought, we picked out red, yellow, green and blue balloons to decorate. Corey decided the REAL theme of the party was BALLOOOONS!

Birthday Morning
Corey gets in a party mood with his big mylar balloon, his new digital camera, and of course... The Safety Dance.

A Family Affair
Corey's friends -- including Cindy and Co., Monica, Skyler, Leah, and Maya -- weren't able to make it. Mostly because this is my first time hosting a kid's party, and my planning was less than stellar -- oops! But the family showed up, and Corey was happy to see all of them!

GG Ruth helps Corey open his card

Adorable card, AND there was a $20 bill inside it!
Don't worry Great Grandma, we won't let him spend it all on candy.

Next, hugs and bounces from Uncle David, who is
wondering when we'll buy Corey his first Harley.
Maybe in a couple years... (Uncle David's gift: a $50 Toys R Us
gift card. Thank you!)

Kisses for Gramma Kim!

Gramma Kim's gift, cleverly wrapped in comics from the
newspaper, with accordion-folded $1 bills in the bow. So cute!

Dad helps unwrap Gramma's present: a set of
colorful cardboard picture books PERFECT for Corey.

Grins & giggles with Mom

Balloon Time!

Corey had to play with EVERY balloon to make sure they were
all fun (they were). Most used word of the day: "BWOOON!"

The "bwoons" attract the attention of another park-goer,
an adorable little girl named Emma. Look at Corey's sly smile.
I'm not sure if it means, "I'm the coolest because I have the most
balloons," or "Can I get your number?" ;)

Emma holds her balloon in her arms carefully, while
Corey wrestles his to the ground.

Emma loses her balloon and runs after it, and
Corey rushes to help her. Such a gentleman!

Silly times with Gramma Kim

Even Uncle Ty joins in!

Evil Cake
We bought Corey's cake from the sophisticated local bake shoppe known as Safeway. It tasted great to me, but Corey's reaction to it was totally unexpected! He tasted a bit off Gramma Kim's finger and discovered it was STICKY! The horror! He turned to the party en masse and cried out "EWWWWW!" Furiously trying to wipe his hands off, he dissolved into tears. Poor little dude. I must admit, it was both sad and funny!

The Culprit

The first taste

The reaction: Blleeehhh! Gross, Dad!

The emotional aftermath: afflicted with frosting-face!

A Great Day
In spite of some moodiness on Corey's part, and some new parent jitters on ours, all in all it was a great day.


To Adam: Happy Father's Day!
How appropriate that Father's Day comes right after Corey's birthday! You've survived another year of fatherhood. With our lives in such transition, I didn't have time to buy you a card or a gift that would express the depth of pride and admiration I have for you as a father -- but then again, no card or gift could ever express it adequately. So I'm writing this to you.

About a year ago, you asked me if I thought you were a good father, and I said "Yes!" I said you had the most important quality Corey could want in a Dad: you TRULY LOVE HIM. He is welcome in your heart and in your life. All the rest is secondary.

Today that is still true, and I'm so proud of you when I think about how much you've grown into your parental role. You've found new ways to express your love for Corey -- everything from playing with him, teaching him right from wrong, keeping him safe and healthy, and setting the limits he needs. The results are astounding: he is blossoming into a happy, confident little boy.

A year ago, you were wondering if you could be a good father. Today I'm here to tell you that you CAN do it, and you ARE doing it. Every day. It makes me love you more deeply than I can describe, and it inspires me to do my best as a mother. I thank you, and Corey, when the time comes, will thank you too.

We love you!

--Audrey