2.26.2009

Portia's 2....going on 16!

Portia's birthday was Tuesday the 24th. We had a friends party last Friday and it was lots of fun to see Portia interact with her friends. She was so cute. She couldn't believe the presents and birthday song were for her. She got lots of dolls, ponies, and dress up clothes for her birthday. She now sports a different princess outfit every day.Here are some photos of her birthday party. She was so shocked and pleasantly surprised when everyone sang her the birthday song.

Portia, working hard on her picture of Rocket. Her birthday party was a Little Einsteins Party.

Portia had lots of helpers to open her gifts. She was excited about the first gift and then just wanted to play with it (I think it was a "my Little Pony"). So her friends took turns helping her open presents. She was happy to share.
Portia had her 2 year check up today. She only had to get one shot and was a champ about it. It's good to know that someone in my family got the tall, skinny gene. She weighs 27.5 lbs (55%) and is 36 in. tall (85%).

I have many friends who do a little "tribute" to the birthday girl on their birthday, so in true Ainge fashion, here are my top ten things I love about Portia:

1. She's potty trained and is very proud of that.
2. She loves to share. No matter what she gets, she wants to share some with her friends and Palmer.
3. She has a great laugh. It's sometimes gravelly and sometimes a little high-pitched, but it always makes me smile.
4. She will flirt with anyone and everyone.
5. She loves to dress up and has developed a great imagination. She wanted to cook dinner yesterday and made me sit with her for some "soup". It was delicious.
6. She loves babies. Even at the childcare (kids club) at 24hour fitness, she spends more time taking care of the babies than playing with the kids her age. She even cleans up spit up.
7. She is polite...for a two year old. She always says please, thank you, you're welcome, and I'm sorry without being prompted to do so. She always asks, "OH, are you okay?" if someone gets hurt is stops whatever she's doing to help them.
8. She LOVES Palmer and hates being left out of anything he does. She still cries every time I drop him off at preschool.
9. She loves to dance and sing, usually by herself. She stares out the window and sings within about 30 seconds after we pull out of the carport.
10. She has the greatest expressions I've ever seen on a kid. You can always tell how Portia's feeling by her expressions and body language.

I'm so grateful Portia is a part of our family. I'm especially grateful she was so impatient to get here and came three weeks early after 15 minutes of labor. She's been a joy ever since. Happy Birthday, Princess Portia!

2.08.2009

We [heart] weddings

So in January, Jerome married Meagan Torgerson. It was nice and small but my little family still managed to create an inordinate amount of chaos. At least they weren't alone.
Portia is such a flirt. She spends most of her time trying to get attention from anyone who will listen to, talk to, or give food to her. This is a pretty typical expression of her's. Don't let that cuteness fool you. She is a true two-year-old. This is Portia and Isaac occupying themselves by dumping goldfish on the ground, crushing them, and trying to eat the pieces. Please tell me we're not the only parents who have children who eat anything and everything off the floor!

Welcome to the craziness that is the Hugh family! (Thanks Elli, for letting me steal your amazing photos).

Good Old Days?

A friend of Ronell's posted these pictures on Facebook from a Loooooong time ago. Here are some great pictures of Ronell at 17. Please remember, he couldn't help it, he lived in the South. :-) And don't you worry, I will subject myself to the same humiliation......as soon as I find those high school pictures (which will be probably never!).





I love pre-mission pictures.