Sylvia is 2 years, 1 month

Sylvia is another month older, and I'm officially a month late for an actual birthday post!

We've had a lot going on in the past 2 months. For one thing, I started working, which is a really good thing, but it's been challenging for us all. It must not be too terrible for Sylvia, though, because she's really thriving. At her 2-year medical checkup, her doctor commented that she "obviously understands everything" and that she's doing great. She's also had quite a growth spurt; she's 70th percentile in height and weight! She talks more and more, and she keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. When Max or I bump into something, or say "ouch", or even look sad, she asks, "Okay, Daddy / Mommy?", and gives us hugs and kisses. When we kiss her and tell her, "I love you so much!", she hugs us and says, "So much!"

But let's back up!

Since the last time I gave a decent update, Max spent a full week in France. Sylvia and I weren't totally alone, though. We had a two-day visit from my parents and brother, and Sylvia absolutely reveled in all of the attention.

One quick week after his return, we were on our way to Chicago. We met Max's parents there so we could all spend time with Max's mom's aunt Ev and uncle Al. Jeff, Jayne, Kurt, and Maria, and Joel were there, too, so we got a lot of quality friend and family time!

Our planes flying in both directions were cancelled, and we spent a lot of time waiting around airports, and we had some disappointments with our lodgings, but all told it was a great trip. As always, it was really hard saying goodbye to everyone. Sylvia took it particularly hard. At some point, she decided that the plane was called a "rocket ship", and for a few weeks she was asking to go back on the rocket ship and see people. She's never liked saying 'goodbye', but she's been especially sensitive to it ever since the trip to Chicago.

Sylvia's birthday was very well celebrated. First, we had a very special cupcake party for her, Maria, and Kurt in Chicago. On her actual birthday, several of our friends from school / work came over to sing 'Happy Birthday' and share a small Thomas the Train cake. The following weekend, we drove down south and had a wonderful party on Saturday with family on my side at my aunt and uncle's house, and then another wonderful party on Sunday with family on Max's side & friends at Max's parents house. A week later, we had a party in SB for our friends here; it had a dinosaur theme, and there were about 15 kids running around and playing party games. All told, Sylvia was showered with love and gifts, and had a wonderful time! By the end of it, she thought every package in the universe was a present for her and that cupcakes were a part of every meal.