Ryan's 2nd Birthday

Yesterday was Ryan's 2nd birthday. Has it really been 2 years??? It really does not seem like it has been 2 years since he was born, 2 years since Dean and I were scared of what the future would be like, scared because we didn't even know if Ryan would live. I won't lie, I still think about those NICU days almost every day...not every day but at least every two to three days. Usually it's on my way to work. I work less than 5 minutes from the Children's Hospital Ryan stayed in for 69 days. My drive to work is the same route we used to drive at least twice a day. Other times, memories come back when I'm telling Ryan "no" for the hundredth time that day or sitting him on the bottom step for him doing something that is a big no-no, like throwing things after I tell him not to or hitting me or daddy, even after telling him we do not hit..Preemie guilt is what I call it. I feel guilty for having to punish or raise my voice at him even though I am so thankful to have him. So, for it to be 2 years already seems amazing. Ryan is amazing! His energy, his love of cars, trucks & trains, his excitement when he sees daddy's truck pull up in the driveway, all the words he repeats when we ask and his inquisitiveness..especially with anything electronic.

For his birthday party, we decided to go with the Disney Cars theme. Since I'm all about the decorations and the party store did not have hardly any decorations for our first & second theme (Tonka trucks & Hot Wheels), we went with Cars. My friend Tana came over early and helped us decorate & went with me to pick up the balloons and cake. We got car cookies from the bakery that made our cake and Tana also put together favor bags with those cookies.










Ryan had a great time and loved being the center of attention. He got lots of toys that he can not only play with now but also will grow with him and last him several years such as a tee ball & basketball set both from Little Tykes, an activity table that he can sit at and color or do crafts & the train table we bought him. He also got some much needed pajamas & bath toys!












We had a hard time getting Ryan away from his train table to get him to the table to sing Happy Birthday. After everyone enjoyed the cake and ice cream, we all went outside so the kids, older & younger, could take a hit at the pinata.







We all had a wonderful day and were exhausted but of course it was worth it!