Annabella's 2nd Birthday in Photos

Happy Birthday, my birthday my precious baby girl.  

Cookie dough birthday cake!

Opening presents!

Look at her reading her card, sweet girl.

Tinker Bell!

Noah, the party animal.

This is the best photo we could get of the 5 of us!

And here are some photos from her actual birthday with just the five of us:

It was perfect. <3

A Letter to Annabella on her Birthday

My sweet Annabella,

Today at 2:31, you turned two years old.  I sat and watched the clock for over 30 minutes while you napped so I could reminisce at exactly 2:31.  I remembered how relieved I was when you were finally here, exactly what you looked like, how I held my breath until I heard you cry for the first time, and I thanked God for the miracle and gift that you are.  

About an hour old

You are quite a little girl.  You're so smart, independent, funny, initially shy, and inquisitive.  You're talking more and more every day and have just started saying, "Love you!"  Up until Monday, you pretty much refused to ever say it and when I heard you say it for the first time, I almost cried.  Who am I kidding?  I totally had tears in my eyes.  

Your first birthday

Your favorite things to do are play with water, play with your Tinker Bell toys, draw with sidewalk chalk, run with Madelynn, eat, and dance.  You are an awesome dancer and twirl and twirl with Madelynn and daddy when we have dance parties at night.  You and your sister fight, but you always make up and spend more time playing together than fighting.  You're always happy to love Noah, give him his paci, and cover him up with your pink blankets.  The highlight of your day is when daddy comes home from work at night.  

Right before your 2nd birthday party

I love you more than you'll ever know.  I thank God every day for you and try as hard as I can to memorize every moment and every first that we have together.  You're growing before my eyes and as much as I'd like to keep you small forever, I am in love with seeing you learn and develop.  I beam with pride when you learn something new and can't wait to do it over and over for us.  I love your obsession with tiny toys and how you always make your dolls kiss each other.  I love your kindness and how you only want me to hold you when you're nervous.  I love how you think the world of Madelynn and imitate everything that she does.  I love your spirit.  You're going to do great things, little one.  I am honored that I get to be your mommy and watch you every step of the way.

I love you sweet girl.

Love, Mommy

Mommy's New Business Venture

Last Sunday I decided to start a new business.  I was perusing Pinterest looking for ideas for Annabella's birthday and came across a picture of a little girl wearing a fabric tutu.  I have a big bin of fabric in the office and .
was immediately inspired to make one for my big girl's birthday.  I got to work immediately and in a couple of hours had made an adorable scrappy fabric tutu.  

That's when it occurred to me that I could totally sell these.  Once I was finished, I took a couple of photos and posted them on a buy/sell Facebook page.  I had two purchases that night and within in the first week I sold four tutus and donated one.  The day after I made the tutu, I decided to start making bow ties and hair bows.  In the first week I sold four bow ties, two hair bows and donated one hair bow.  I was blown away by the immediate interest.  I have a long way to go and a lot of growing to do, but I think I'm off to a good start.  God is in this and when He's in something, you can't go wrong.  

Here are the girls modeling their awesome mommy-made tutus!  

                                 

And here they are modeling their hair bows.  Adorable!

Here's a photo of Noah modeling my first attempt at making a tie.  It's shaped a little funky, but isn't the photo precious?!

I'm so excited to be able to release some pent up creativity and earn some money to help my family.  All the while I get to do it at home in the company of my sweet family.  God is good.  Of course the company is named after my girls: Madsy Bella Boutique.  :)

My Etsy link is www.etsy.com/shop/madsybellaboutique.  I would be honored for you to come visit the shop and place an order!