Happy 2nd birthday, Justine!

Justine's second birthday was a fun celebration at the end of May.  In typical Memorial Day birthday fashion, we planned a pool party on her behalf -- only to reschedule it to a nearby park since the high was 65 degrees in the Bay Area.  We may have tried to put 3 instead of 2 candles on her cake and said "Happy birthday, Spencer" while singing to her (the true woes of being a second child - so sorry, Justine!), but she had a blast regardless.  And we were so lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa Lyles here to celebrate with us.

At 2 years old, Justine is still a ray of sunshine at most times; the rest of the time she is just making it known she is unhappy before getting back to her agenda.  She loves saying "hi" and "bye" to almost everything and everyone, and she also is always thrilled to point to herself and say her own name and smile.  She loves a book of literally any kind, swimming and the water (with extreme passion to be fully submerged), animals (but keeps her distance - she still hasn't even touched our lizard Wiz but loves seeing her), her baby doll and new accessories for said doll, real babies at daycare or out in public ("baby, baby" on repeat), and seeing planes in the sky.  Whenever one of us comes to pick her up or comes home, she usually squeals with delight and runs full speed for a hug and a kiss.  She also loves keeping food in her mouth like a chipmunk and wrestling her brother and dad.  A true pro on the playground, she climbs all ladders/steps, swings herself on her belly, and takes slides headfirst and full speed without a second thought.  I can't tell you how many people have said "she's fearless" to me at the playground or the pool.  A perfect combo of sweetness and strength, in my totally unbiased opinion.

Here's to your third year, baby girl!