Birthdays

 Today our family celebrated Aspen's second Birthday. Todd has shared a quote with me in the past by GK Chesterton concerning Birthdays that I love - 

"The first fact about the celebration of a birthday is that it is a way of affirming defiantly, and even flamboyantly, that it is a good thing to be alive."

And affirm it we did! Pink ballons, gifts (baby doll and accessories from mom, and musical instruments from grandpa, now known as PaPo), a trip to an aquarium, ice cream, spaghetti, more icecream, picking strawberries from the garden - and lots of pink - pink shirts, pink hair bows, pink shoes, pink baby stroller. We flamboyantly celebrated two years of life with our little woman in training. 

Not only is a birthday a time to exclaim that life is a good thing, it is also a time to exclaim that birth is a good thing. After all it is in the name. If you listen to spotify long enough however you'll hear a couple of commercials that mention the recent roe v. wade debate and you will find out that many people claim birth is in fact a disease that needs curing. I wonder what those people do on their birthday.. mourn that they weren't cured? Preposterous. 

Aspen Laurelai Blansett, you are a true joy to your mother and I. You are fascinated by the world and by everything around you. We can't quite figure out if you are exteremly brave and adventurous or if you are cautious and timid - you often switch back and forth between the two. Just a couple months ago if I didn't watch you, you would have ran straight into the ocean. This weekend you didn't even want to touch the water. You bravely tell our German Shepherd NO when he tries to lick your food, but the fish in the aquarium had you clinging to your pappa. 

You are already modeling your mother and it is beautiful to see. You love to cook in your little kitchen and clean the dishes when you are finished - the icecream scoops I think are your favorite. Your new baby doll is your pride and joy and you always make sure she is kept happy with her binky or with a bottle, or with the breeze in her hair from her ride in a stroller. Though you are learning to share you are very sweet to your sissy olive - you help her roll on her back and hand her a bottle so she can eat, you often are overcome with love and have to run to her for a hug and kisses, and you are conscious of when she is sleeping and make sure you reiterate it to me and mom "Sissy sleep-ing" 

Each night since you were born we have sung the doxology with you - you are now starting to sing along and the best note you hit is "AAAAmen" I wonder when you will be able to sing it all with us. 

Keep your eyes on your mom as you grow. She is a Woman in every way. You'll see most people don't know how to define that anymore, but they need only to look at your mom. Beauty, Oikodespotes, Assiduity, Faithfulness, Femininity, Love. If I could borrow a line from a country song:

"I hope you look just like your momma

And love her like I do

You'll see close to perfect patience

If you watch her every move

You can always run to daddy

You'll always be my baby

But, look at her, baby girl

And you'll learn

How to be a lady"

I love you Aspen, Happy second Birthday.