I just re-read my post from Alyzeh’s first birthday and now my screen is all blurry. (Might have something to do with the wet stuff on my cheeks). My baby, my last baby, is two today. And technically not really a baby. She came into the world as a complete surprise, when I had given up on my life-long dream of having 3 kids. In last year’s post I share all those details plus why we chose her name, Alyzeh Nasim, and exactly how well-matched her name is to her journey into our lives.

Normally people say they can’t believe how fast the time has flown, but today I’m thinking, has she really only been in our lives for two years? I can’t imagine what our family was like without her; it’s like an entire dimension was missing. Alyzeh has brought a lot of wonder into our home. That really is the best way to describe it. Because we are seeing her growth through our other children’s eyes we’re noticing so much, all the little things, and celebrating the strangest milestones in the best ways. One of the kids will say something like, “Look! Alyzeh can now pull things off the top of the table!” and we’ll all cheer and high-five her and she’ll turn around in circles laughing, not knowing why. If it was just me, I’d be like, “Okay, so now she can grab at anything I put within this distance from the edge of the table.” But my other kids have really added to my experience of parenting a baby and now a toddler.

I also love watching their dynamics; in the last 6 months especially, they’ve really started to gel. She has names for her brother and sister and special games with each of them. She recognizes their belongings and picks stuff up from the floor and takes it over to the rightful owner (thank you!). The older two anticipate her needs and are showing signs of empathy that I am in awe of. I hope all 3 of them always take care of each other like that. I guess that’s every parent’s dream, right?

Alyzeh is still very much into music. As a baby she had her favourite CD (music by Skye Dyer) and now she’s into Alicia Keys, Adele, and most of what’s on the radio right now. Her favourite song is Jocelyn Alice’s Jackpot which she recognizes from the first beat. The best is when she sings along: “Da! Pop!” And of course she dances. It doesn’t matter where she hears the music, she will bend her knees and jiggle while cocking her head to the side.

She greets everyone by name when she wakes up (and also the fireplace if it’s on). And she always gives everyone hugs and kisses before bed, totally unprompted. My favourite moments with her include when she holds my face in her hands, stares deep into my eyes and smiles. She’s got a lot of love to give and I’m so blessed that she chose me and our family to give it to.

Well, I think that’s enough gushing for one post, and I do appreciate that you read this. I know what it’s like to listen to parents talk about their kids and go on and on and on…so instead, I’ll show you pictures! (Excuse the sizing issues…I’ll have to figure that out!)

Christmas 2014

July 2015

Breakfast to go – Sept 2015