Happy 2nd birthday my darling Ruby! Look at you--you're just so together these days. Flying a kite single-handedly. Your dad, who took this picture yesterday, said it was as if you'd done it before.

While so many things are still a discovery for you, including talking and expressing yourself, you just seem to take everything--be it the day to day routine or whatever new thing crosses your path--in your stride with complete joy and amazement.

Today when you were fastidiously opening up some of your presents, including a very special present that we will feature on the blog later, we asked you what you thought it was and you simply said "I don't know." It's as if you took a crash course on what to say and how to be an older kid last week and you clearly passed with flying colors.

Now you can express feelings verbally. You declined to check out a red Chinese dragon at the Brooklyn Childrens Museum the other day--"I'm scared mama," you said. Of course you'll still burst out in tears when the words don't come quickly enough, but then you'll talk about it over and over again later, once the initial reaction has worn off. Last night you told me quite clearly how sad you were when the dvd player broke in the car on the way home from the beach with your papa David.

I love you my little Ruby. Just keep on being you and I'll happily follow your lead.