Happy Birthday Harper

Dear Harper,
You turned 2 yesterday. I can't believe it. 2 whole years since you were born. It was a wonderful day! You had so much fun with all of your little friends and you were just the sweetest boy. Which is pretty typical of how you are everyday. This has been a big year for you-you've experienced a lot of "firsts." You took your first steps at around 14 months old. You took your first airplane ride and dipped your toes into the ocean for the first time. You said your first words. You went to your first amusement park.
You have changed so much lately. Daddy and I were watching the video from your 1st birthday last night and it was amazing to us how much you've changed since then. Sometimes the change is so gradual that we miss it because we see you every day. The last 4 weeks have been a different story, though. You have become such a little man over the last month. You talk so much more and are getting really great at communicating what you are thinking and what you want. It makes life so much easier for us, but it's also so great to know what you've been thinking all this time and to really see your little personality. Several new, younger kiddos have started coming to your daycare and Debbie says it's amazing how you instantly figured out that you're the big kid now. You help her out and do your best to keep the babies entertained. It makes me so proud of you.
You have this laugh that is contagious. It will make everyone in the room stop dead in their tracks. It's loud and boisterous, and probably half real and half fake because you've learned the extra, over-the-top quality gets you more attention. And lately you've also decided that slapping your leg or the table or whatever is nearby in conjunction with this laugh is a great complement to the show. I give you credit, it is pretty hilarious.
Your personality seems to switch...I think you're still figuring out what works for you. Sometimes you are so laid back and nothing really bothers you. Just like your daddy. And then other times you have a quick temper and no patience. Just like me. Hmm, I'm not sure which I hope you stick with. I do love to see you get fired up when you want something...it's a good quality to have in life. But, I'd also love to see you have that even temperament like your daddy. It's one of the things I've always found most attractive about him. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. The only thing I know for sure is that we'll love you to pieces either way!
I know this next year is going to be a fun one! And undoubtedly it will go much faster than I'd like. I promise I will do my best to savor the small things. You are such an incredible blessing to me and I swear I love you more and more every day. Sometimes I just squeeze you in a big hug and it literally feels like my heart could burst. You have brought so much happiness to our lives.
Happy 2nd birthday sweet boy. We love you!

Mommy