Dear Boden & Zoey,

I can’t believe another year has passed and you are TWO years old! It seems like yesterday when your mom went into labor and I received constant updates via phone from Grammy until you arrived. A little over a week after you were born, I finally got to meet you and instantly fell in love. You were just the tiniest little things who I loved to snuggle with as much as I could. Your first year flew by so fast! I’m sure you don’t remember my visits, but we had some fun times. 🙂 (Here are some pics from your first year)

Year #2 of being your aunt has been an exciting one! As soon as you learned to walk, you both were all over the place! The only times I’ve been able to take photos of you sitting still is in the bathtub (as you can tell by the pics below) and even then you still find a way to squirm away from my camera. 🙂 Before your mom got her new job, she had Fridays off. These became “Friday Skype-day!” Definitely my favorite day of the week. At this point, I *think* you recognize who I am and I LOVE seeing you smile, laugh and discover new words all the time. And my favorite part is giving kisses through the computer screen…whether you’re blowing kisses or leaning into the camera for a kiss, it melts my heart every time. Another favorite of mine are your “strong faces”. You two are hilarious! I love your baby laughs and giggles…just too cute for words. Although most of our time together has been through a computer screen, I’m so thankful for technology that allows us to “see” each other as much as we can so we can get to know each other and be best buds….because you know, I’m the FUN aunt (well, your only aunt at this point but the most fun anyway!). 🙂

The last thing I want to talk to you about is your mom and dad. I know you two little munchkins can drive them crazy *sometimes*, but that’s the fun part of being a kid, right?? 🙂 Since I don’t see you on a daily basis and I’m not a mom myself, I don’t know and can’t comprehend the challenges your mom and dad face everyday as parents. But what I DO know is that they would do anything for you, will always provide for you and love you to the moon and back. Your mom is a constant inspiration to me in how she cares for and loves you both so so so much! I admire her strength, courage, kindness, motivation (she’s running another marathon in a few weeks! Go Mom Go!!) and heart. Your mom and dad are wonderful parents to you both and I can’t wait to see how your relationship grows even more in the many years to come.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but I love you both SO much! I’m so excited to spend your 2nd birthday with you this weekend and give you big hugs and kisses!! I promise I’ll always be there for you, take lots of pictures of you (probably too many) and teach you to everything you need to know about sports since I got the majority of that gene from Papi instead of your mom. 🙂

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BODEN & ZOEY!! SEE YOU SOON!

Love,

Aunt Megan

Photos from year #2 – December 2010

Daddy tickling Boden at Grammy & Papi’s house

May 2011 – “Strong Faces!”

Zoey loves Aunt Megan’s shoes…and Boden’s bed head.

Playing at the park – May 2011

Bath time!! – May 2011

Friday Skype-day – July 2011