Mabel turned two last week and we had a quiet, family celebration. Two is too young to necessarily understand the concept of a birthday, but old enough to love attention and gifts and special food. I spent the first part of the day cleaning house, because it had been neglected as I worked on Mabel’s gifts in the week leading up to her birthday. (I did end up binding her quilt by hand! Well, machine on one side, then hand stitching it on the other.)
When I took these photographs, we were all singing, “Happy Birthday,” and Mabel was completely thrilled to have us all gathered around, looking at her and singing. She tried to join us, but didn’t know the words. She clapped and smiled her giant smile that we all love so much.
After lemon cupcakes (She didn’t really eat them-mainly just a bit of frosting-Let’s not talk about how many I ate) she changed into her birthday dress and put on her birthday crown. Then it was time to open presents.
When she opened her kitty, she let out a loud, “Ooooooh!” Like it was the most beautiful, special thing she’d ever seen. Of course that made me happy. I thought she’d like it, but not necessarily that much.
I think Mabel had a very good birthday, though it probably didn’t feel that much different than most days for her. When you are the youngest child in a large family, a good bit of attention naturally falls your way. Mabel most likely believes that every day is her day. She frequently grabs me around the legs and cries, “Me!” As in, “Pick me up and devote every ounce of your attention to me!” She smiles, claps, bosses us around to the best of her ability, and yes, throws killer tantrums, but we can overlook those for all the happiness she brings us. She really is our little sunshine girl. Though how my newborn baby is two years old, I have no idea. Every day with her is most certainly the sweetest gift.
Notes and links: Birthday crown details are in this post. Geranium dress pattern is here. I used this linen. Here’s the Juniper Kitty pattern (though I sewed a dress from a different softie pattern-I believe it was Dandelion Doe’s dress.) Mabel received these sandals (Amazon links are affiliate links) and she loves them. We also bought her this book, and this one. She likes them both! I sewed her quilt following instructions from this book.
Lana says
Thank you for sharing all those precious photos!
Marybeth says
Time really does fly bye. She is a beautiful little girl.
Marilyn says
Mabel is adorable. The dress looks so pretty on her. Glad Mabel had a good time on her special day. Wishing Mabel a year of happiness,fun and blessings. God Bless Mabel.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MABEL
Marilyn
Joan says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a cute 2 year old. The sewing turned out beautifully. Looks like everyone had a wonderful time.
Joan
Marion says
What a great birthday celebration for the cutest 2 year old. The dress is very pretty.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MABEL Wishing you sunshine,love and blessings.
Marion
Leslie F says
Naked dolls and sweet smiles – it’s what 2-year-old girls are made of!
Megs says
How do you ever say no to that cuteness?
Cathy says
Oh how I love your blog. You make everyday so special with your children. Not falling into the commercialism trap….is joyful to see! These children are more blessed than they could possibly know.??????
Flyingkids says
She’s the cutest! She really enjoyed her birthday! The cupcake, gifts and everything else! Happy birthday, Mabel!
eva says
what a sweet little girl and this grinning is the most beautiful grinning and smiling I know. She’s cute. And how sweet her brother is singing with her. The killing tantrum, oh I remember when my kids were littleones, oh oh. Duck and cover – that’s just how it is, sorry, I’m laughing.
Caroline says
Happy birthday Mabel. What lovely gifts and family party you all had x
Bee says
Her smile is the best! And her face when she sees her kitty! Love it!
I also really like how the dress came out.
Thanks for linking to the books, by the way – I have a little niece the same age as Mabel (literally born a few days after her) and I think she might like those as well!
Melody says
So cute! Sounds like she had a really special birthday (and has a wonderful life with lots of love).
Shannon Dennis says
That smile!!! I especially love how the kitties dress came right off. How very two and practical. After all, kitties don’t wear clothes, at least not at parties, right?
Ashley D. says
She is adorable!
Sue M. says
This is the sweetest post ever!
You’re so talented Ginny! I love the cute dress & kitty you made for Mabel. I can hardly believe she is 2 years old already. Her expressions that you captured are adorable and priceless! What a little angel! Never mind the temper tantrums 😉 — they come with the “package”. 🙂 I can see that she would bring lots of laughter, sunshine & happiness to your family with her cute-ness.
Have a great week.
karen says
happy birthday to Mabel!! Looks like she had the perfect 2 yo birthday and your quilt looks beautiful. She is a treasure 🙂
Donna says
I laughed when I read ‘killer tantrums’. All part of being a kid. What a happy day! I loved her pictures with the kitty. Such delight in her expression. She truly enjoyed her birthday. Such joy in that child! The blessings of the Lord be upon all of your family.
Clémence says
These pictures are oh so adorable!!!
Katie says
Beautiful photos, lucky girl.
Kate says
What lovely photos! The youngest in big families really are especially loved. I had my last baby four years after the next to last and in my 40’s. He’s very confident. He once innocently said, “I think I’m a people magnet,” A friend commented that it actually seems to be a self-fulfilling attitude – he assumes everyone likes him and everyone does! I have had to remind the older kids not to give in to all his demands. We don’t want to him to become a charismatic tyrant.
Emily DeArdo says
Oh, what a sweet birthday for a sweet girl!! The quilt is GORGEOUS, Ginny. Bravo. 🙂 And I love her crown!
Mary Haseltine says
Two already? Oh wow, it’s so crazy that I remember following you through the last few babies and how quickly time goes! I love love love the dress you made her! (Sidenote: if this current babe in utero is a girl, I’d like to claim all your girl hand-me-downs, k? Thanks ; )
sandra says
adorable
Michele F. says
Awwww – so sweet! Happy birthday to Mabel and may our dear Lord bless her always!!
Janis says
So beautiful! What a special day.
Renee Anne says
I was just thinking about how you said Job was your last baby….and now your next one after that is already two years old. Then again, I have a vague recollection of Silas coming into the world. And I look over to my right, and my 3 year old is asleep next to me and his 7 year old brother is playing on the iPad (let’s ignore the fact that it’s 11:45pm on a Saturday)…….when did our children get so big?!
Alyson says
Oh my goodness how sweet is she with that doll?! I started following your blog a little before Job was born and absolutely cannot believe it’s been so long and how fast the years go. I might have commented three times? And Mabel is two?..No way. Haha blogging is so weird in the fact that readers feel a sense of duty to “check in” and be sure to catch up with the latest posts but at the same time it feels like invading to comment lol I sound like a mad woman…on another note, I hope everything is going okay with the chickens! The feeling of being helpless in those situations are always tough with little ones.
Maria says
Happy Birthday, Mabel! She certainly does have a beautiful smile!