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"    Ariana turned 2 last week and I can&amp;#039;t stop looking at her. Her hair looks longer, her body looks taller, her eyes look wiser, her words sound clearer. She seems to look and act older, or maybe I&amp;#039;m just hyper aware that Ariana\u2014my baby\u2014is another year older. When did she even get to a year, let alone two? I remember feeling her kick inside of me. I often remind Bobby how I grew her in my belly. Now she runs around pushing her own baby stroller and feeding her dolls. Despite her big day, we decided not to do a party with her peers. We had the immediate family over for a laid-back barbecue. No invitations, no party favors, no decorations. Just a cake and candles. Still, she made out great with a mini-car, doll stroller, toy crib, baby doll, Dora doll and more. It was all a bit overwhelming\u2014I had to hold her most of the party\u2014and this was just family, I can only imagine how intense a big party with friends would have seemed to her. A few days later, I lifted Ariana out of the minivan and carried her toward the door in my arms. But she stopped me and said, &amp;quot;I wah&amp;quot; (for &amp;quot;I walk&amp;quot;). So I let her down and we start walking together. But before I could ask for her hand she reached out for mine. We walked hand-in-hand. This was pure joy\u2014especially because Josh has been trying to break away from holding my hand when he crosses the street. So as one child loosens his grip, another latches on.\u2014Julie Weingarden Dubin Do you find that birthdays are a time to reflect? Or, do you get so caught up planning the parties that you don&amp;#039;t have time to think? Please share your thoughts and birthday stories in Comments. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/a41551/baby-turns-2-5570/?src=shelter_footer>