Dr. Fikkert is the best pediatrician in the world!  We love her so much, and she is so good with Noelle.  Noelle remembered her last visit (the shots) and as soon as we pulled in the parking lot on Wednesday for her 2 year check-up she said, "No Doctor, Mommy, I scared!" 

 

I’ve never taken pictures at the doctor’s office because I’ve always been so focused on all my questions, but I’m feeling more confident now that she is getting older, so I thought I would capture a visit for Noelle to enjoy one day.  Noelle got lots of great prizes for being such a big girl!

Dr. Fikkert and her partners have such a fun office!  The waiting room has all the fairy tales painted on the walls, and the rooms each have a different theme.  Noelle’s 2 year stats: 24.6 lbs (25th percentile) and 34" tall (50th percentile).  She had her first ear infection (who knew?) but other than that, all is well!

After a good long nap, we met the Ponds for a great dinner.

   

Noelle goofing off and playing with her "whistle lips" prize from the doctor!

 

Two more candles and one big bite!

I thought it would be fun to do a little mid-week party for our Euc community in celebration of Noelle’s birthday week.  Everyone at church loves Noelle so much, and we are so blessed!

Eric and Big Phil with the birthday girl!

 

Noelle partaking in some song and dance… 

Megan, Stephanie, Emily, Noelle (and me), & Jen after a great mid-week gathering.

Hadley, Noelle, Bryell, and Hannah after Mops on Tuesday.  Hadley and Hannah’s mom, Renya, came to speak to our group about prison ministry.  She had to go to prison when Hadley was only 6 weeks old.  She shared her story of devastation to hope.  My mentor mom, Lyn, is deeply invested in prison ministry.  She was the one who loved Renya while she was in jail and shared with her how to experience God’s grace.  This changed her life forever and gave these precious girls a future of promise with a new Mommy.  The entire room was in tears, and I see prison ministry in a whole different light now.  She said, "Many of the women in prison are moms just like you, who have committed crimes with one thing in mind: providing for their children."  (90% of women in prison are single mothers.)  They need to learn skills and be reintroduced to a society who wants to see them be successful in a healthy and productive way.  I am going with Lyn to do Bible studies with women in prison this summer.  I can’t wait to visit and get to know these moms and tell them we are all here for them and believe they can overcome!

Noelle and Bryell copying Hannah!

                  

 

Cute girls!

 

Noelle and Jillian

 

When we got home, I caught Noelle turning the pages of her book with her foot.  I started laughing at her, which encouraged her to ham it up even more.  She is soooo funny!!!

 

 

 

We had Noelle’s birthday party at the carousel with all her little friends and our family!

Noelle with her grandparents!

 

My sister Michele, cousin Drew, Me, Noelle, Amanda, and Bailey

 

Noelle loved her clock cake and Rara’s custom carousel cookie bouquet!

 

Maggie, Sophie, Zane, Natalia, Noelle, Drew, Jamie, Jillian, Sam, Ananya, & Jonathan

Maggie, Natalia, Noelle, Ananya, Bailey, Drew, & Jonathan

 

Noelle had so much fun hanging out with everyone at the party!

Noelle kept running around showing everyone her clock saying, "I made it!" "I made it!"  I’m so glad we had a craft – I think the kids really liked it!  Noelle blowing out her candles! (Sam’s helping in the bottom right corner – so cute!)

Noelle’s hand had the "short hands" and Mommy’s hands had the "long hands." 

Aunt Michele brought Noelle earrings to wear, and they were a hit!  Noelle showed them to everyone all day (she kept them on too)!

Noelle’s horsey from her parents!

Mama Kay Kay with her boys!

 

  

Noelle’s party table and Noelle hugging her big bud Jillian!

Noelle and Emme!

Melissa, Nancy, and Sharon serving cake and ice cream!

Drew and Noelle chillin’ at the end of a fun party day!  Daddy and Noelle (I love you guys)!

 

Saturday night the Ponds, Eberts, and Banks families went to Gnisner Farms to pick strawberries.  It was such a beautiful evening, and we all had a ball!

Noelle loves to mother Drew and is always giving him hugs and kisses.

 

Poppa and Rara with their grandbabies & Noelle showing her strawberries to Grandma.

Pond Family Fun!

 

My sweet sister and her Drew boy!

 

 

Noelle just couldn’t wait to dig into her juicy red berries!

 

 

Our good friends Nancy and Lisa sent Noelle all sorts of birthday goodies (she loved everything girls!!!) and Polly sent a special talking Cinderella card.  Cousin Olen, Linda, and Brittany sent a new silver bracelet.  We have such wonderful friends and family in our lives!

Noelle and Drew getting all cleaned up for the big birthday party!

 

Noelle loves her cousin Drew!

It’s a wrap!

Our little girl is 2 years old today!  Noelle is all that is good, and the joy she has given us over the past two years has been more than we’ve known in all our lives!  Happy birthday, sweet Noelle!

    

 

 

   

 

Noelle’s crafts this week… we did foam stickers, markers, nature walks, glue, and play-doh.  Noelle loves art!

  

We had such a blast at story time today.  Mrs. Jacobs had all sorts of songs, crafts, and books for the kids.  She is so wonderful and even surprised them at the end with a May pole!

 

Noelle’s favorite songs were Old McDonald, The Farmer and the Dale, and Thumbkin.

Noelle and Jillian big time hugging!

 

 

Afterward, we got Sonic and had a picnic at the park.

 

Jamie and Noelle going down the slide

 

Our little animal lover!