Dear Babel – By Dad

Happy 2nd birthday our little big man! We had a great birthday party. First, we celebrated it in Japan with Oma, Opa, and Akiko on your birthday. We flew back to the UK the next day, and celebrated again with your friends on the 6th of May. On your birthday, we went to the Anpanman museum, and had a Shotani cake. In the Anpanman museum, although we all were tired from all the exciting days in Japan (everyday we did something very fun, and you screamed from joy), we managed to see a dance show on the ground floor, the public area, and saw another show in the museum.

Babel is Two – Dinosaur Party Fun

It’s not a party without some fun activities for you and your little friends. For weeks, I searched the internet for ideas for toddler activities that I could give a dinosaur twist. I knew you guys are still too young for anything that would involve patiently waiting turns or winners and losers. The obvious activities for a birthday party, eating cake and unwrapping presents, kept you all entertained for a long while, but you guys enjoyed a lot more dinosaur fun at the party.

Babel is Two – Yearly Photo

Last year, uncle Djamo took a photo of the three of us holding a photo canvas of the three of us in the hospital, moments after you were born. This year, uncle Djamo took another photo of us holding a canvas with that photo we took last year.

Babel is Two – Birthday Cake & Candles

Last year, you needed some help blowing out the candle on a cupcake version of your birthday cake. This year, I knew you would be able to blow out the candles. You even tried blowing out Robin’s birthday candles a few months ago. So on your second birthday in Japan, when you were first presented with a cake and candles I was very excited to see you blow out your candles. You were about to blow, but then Opa, wanting to help you, did it for you. I shrieked “no” and insisted the candles be lit again to let you have a go, and you did it! We all clapped and cheered, and so did you.

Babel is Two – Dinosaur Party

You turned two when we were in Japan, and we celebrated by going to the Anpanman Museum with Opa, Oma, and your great aunt Akiko. We even got to take a photo with Anpanman himself, so it was a pretty memorable second birthday with your Japanesies. Your first birthday we had a little party, slightly dinosaur themed, at home in the UK and we celebrated with your Dutchies and aunt Yasmin. This year, I also wanted to throw you a birthday party. This time a party for you and your little friends.

Babel Monthly – 24

OMG, you’re two years old! You are speaking so much. You sing. You copy. You lead. It just amazes us. Thank goodness for videos, so we can capture your cute voice, words, and actions that way. Keeping track here on the blog with words and photos has become impossible. Your first year, I blogged weekly. Your second year, I blogged monthly. Your third year, I plan to blog quarterly. Still, I’m taking photos and videos of you daily.

Babel Monthly – 23

The biggest change over this past month was probably your eating. About two weeks into your 23rd month of life you’ve started eating, loads. You’ve never been a picky eater, but you’ve just never eaten a lot, or even a regular amount. I never worry about your eating because you also breastfeed, but it is fun to now see you eat larger amounts and really enjoy it. You also love your vitamins and you seem to think it is treat. You’ve cut down on breastfeeds during the day, as your belly is full of food these days. It’s making me wonder when you’ll start weaning yourself off of the breast. We’ve almost made it to the recommended 2 years of breastfeeding, after that it is up to you how long we keep going.