Happy 2nd Birthday Austin!!!

The Birthday boy and his cake!

My baby turned two! My goal has been to give monthly milestone updates on him until his 2nd birthday and I am so glad I did! I love looking back at how much he has grown and progressed! I'll admit though that I am also very happy he is two now that we have Eve because keeping up with both of their milestone posts has been quite challenging with our busy life!

Austin had a fantastic birthday that consisted of two birthday parties and lots of presents! We love to make a big deal out of holidays and will take any excuse we can get to celebrate! The fact that he has lived to see his second birthday is definitely something to celebrate ;).

On his actual birthday Daddy and Mommy both took the day off  from work and we spent the whole day together as a family doing fun activities! We had the whole day planned and were so excited for all the fun we would have, but of course, now that the birthday boy is a big two year old, he decided to make things complicated by throwing tantrums and making us regret planning such a busy day. He threw a tantrum when we tried to go, and he threw a tantrum when we tried to leave.... every.... single.... time. But we stuck with it and have great memories!

We started off the day with presents from Mommy and Daddy! Austin got a new scooter since he is always wanting to play with the other boys at the skate park. We thought that would be his favorite gift, but to our surprise, he was completely enthralled with his new Hot Wheels cars! He had fun ripping open the presents and helping Daddy put the scooter together with the tools. Austin loves tools....

Opening presents downstairs that morning!

So excited to find out what's in the big box!

Opening up your Hot Wheels!

Playing with your new cars.

Vroooom!!!

Helping Daddy put your scooter together.

Putting your shoes on so you can take your new wheels for a ride!

You didn't quite catch on to the process of pushing yourself so Mommy pushed you around :).

Then we went out to breakfast at Krispy Kreme Donuts since that is one of Austin's favorite places to visit! He loves watching them make the donuts, picking out the donuts, and playing with the chalk  board they have for the kids :).

In the car heading off to breakfast!

MMMmmm....

Dad and Eve enjoying some donuts before Dad had to leave for diapers.

Your love for donuts makes me proud :).

 To add to our list of things that didn't go as planned that day, Austin decided to poop his pants while we were eating and Mom didn't bring any extra diapers. So Dad had to run over to Target to buy a pack of diapers while we polished off our donuts. Then, one diaper change and a 2 year old tantrum later, we headed off to RUN PLUS FUN for the next adventure! This is Austin's favorite play place because of the ball pit! He spent two hours just playing in the balls alone! Other kids came and went, but Austin just couldn't leave. Then, of course, as it came time to go home, he suddenly became very interested in the big slides and jungle gym toys and Mom had to crouch down and chase him through the kiddie maze to drag him kicking and screaming out of the building. Too much fun I guess!

Austin in his happy place!

Ride 'em cowboy!

Taking a quick break with Dad.

Okay, break time is over! Time for more balls!

"Look what I found!"

Mom couldn't help herself and jumped into the ball pit with you!

It was so much fun!

Daddy throwing you into the pit!

Oh Austin, your love for life is contagious!

Amongst all that fun, both kids had 5 poopy diapers between them and we only had one diaper for Eve.... it was just one of those days. For lunch we made a stop at KFC for some cole slaw since that is one of Austin's favorite foods and we needed something with a drive through since both kids were crying and Eve was covered in poop due to one final blow out and our lack of diapers. Both kids fell asleep in the car on our drive home and we were sad to have to wake them up for lunch :(.

Once both kids were down for naps, Mom and Dad enjoyed a moment of silence before the next surprise.... Grandpa Helm showed up! Sadie and her boyfriend also stopped by for a little while to see my Dad and say Hi to the birthday boy since Sadie was going to be working the day we scheduled the big family party. It was so nice to see my Dad again since he rarely comes around and he got to meet Baby Eve for the first time! Austin had fun showing Grandpa Helm all of his new cars and Grandpa surprised him with a present of his own..... more Hot Wheels cars! Austin was in heaven :). I was sad to see my Dad leave because we never get enough time with him  but it was a good visit and both kids got some quality time with their Grandpa. Eve worked her charm on Grandpa and he was completely in love ;). I think it reminded him a lot of me when I was little....

Eve meeting Grandpa Helm and giving him some smiles :).

I love my family!

Austin showing Grandpa all his cars.

If anyone understands the love for cars, it's Grandpa!

That following Saturday we had the big family party with almost all of Austin's Grandparents and Great Grandparents! Grandma and Grandpa Porter bought him a basketball hoop and he was the happiest kid on Earth! He couldn't stop shooting hoops! He had a hard time even stopping for cake! He loves basketball so much! The party was a lot of fun, and we all enjoyed watching Austin open presents and blow out his candles :). He was so serious about the candle part. He wouldn't smile and was totally focused. Then, once the singing was done, he knew what to do! He and Aunt Nana had a good time licking the frosting off the candle and then it was back to basketball :). I am so grateful Austin has all of his Grandparents close by to share these special moments with. He is such a lucky boy!

Shooting some hoops!

Putting the candle on the cake.

Singing Happy Birthday!

Licking the frosting from the candle.

Yummy!! Look at that frosting mustache!

Grandma Wiegel and Grandma Helm chatting and enjoying baby Eve.

Eating our food at the kiddie table with Austin :).

Grandma Porter showing Austin how his new Elmo works.

Opening presents!

Grandma Helm bought him that little fold up chair and he loved it! He wanted to sit in it while he opened the rest of his presents :).

He was very excited to find the cup holder and had to sit there with his cup and take drinks like a big boy.

opening more presents.

Playing in the wrapping paper with Great Grandma Wiegel!

Thanking Great Grandma Helm for his new Elmo. It was so sweet to watch him go around to all the Grandparents and thank them for your new toys and give each a kiss!

I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty sure you are Great Grandma Helm's favorite ;).

The only family picture we captured since we couldn't get you to stop playing basketball!

Banked it!

Happy Birthday little man. You mean the world to us and you make our days exciting! I love how adventurous and independent you are, but I love even more to hear you calling for Mommy at night to come tuck you in one more time and sing you a song while we lay in your bed together and talk about your day. You try so hard to tell me all your fun stories in your limited vocabulary! That is my favorite memory of all :).