emre's second birthday

well i was in fact released from the hospital that monday.  haven't blogged because i just didn't have the energy & then we decided to go away for a long weekend (more about that later).  i am doing fine now, as is baby boy, thankfully.  thanks to everyone for their well wishes!

emre turned two in january and we celebrated with a fun party at home, followed by a fun party at school.  i didn't know at the time, but i was feeling seriously exhausted from the arrhythmia - so we didn't have as many decorations, etc., as i would have liked, but it was still fun!  below are the pictures.

happy boy, playing with his new slide whistle the morning of the party

we tried to go with a mickey mouse theme, but this was the only decoration that fit.

happy birthday banner

the number 1 was replaced by a number 2 the morning of the party

as each guest arrived a new present was ripped open - much to emre's delight!

i made a few dishes & we had the rest catered (plus i made an adult punch which i didn't get to taste but heard was very good)

giving evie a thank you kiss

birthday boy!

the theme was based on the cake that ben's parents ordered for the occasion (plus emre loves to watch the mickey mouse playhouse)

emre LOVED blowing out the candles, so we let him do it twice

still, whenever he sees candles or a balloon, he sings 'happy birthday to youuuuu!'

we had a lot of fun visiting with our friends...

...while emre played with some of his

it got a little crazy

our friend's daughter, evie, enjoyed taking care of emre and playing with him throughout the party (even picking him up & carrying him around!)

the balloons were a big hit

our friend ali is so great with kids - he even helped evie demonstrate her gymnastics!

ali, ben, ozge & bige

our friends left just as ben's family arrived - and the party continued.  emre's great aunt  & great grandmother gave him this incredible car which kept him busy for the remainder of the night.

greeting guests with his dede

on his birthday, we brought cupcakes to school & had a little party during snacktime.  he seemed to get that it was his special day, and thoroughly enjoyed having his parents there to show off for.

emre's teachers natasha & sharanity worked hard to make it special - but emre would NOT wear the crown

they tricked him by putting his birthday sticker on his back - so he didn't know he was wearing it.

that night we were ALL exhausted - so we pulled out his new train set for some quiet fun

mommy went to bed early, so it was great that dede came by to play!