It has been a full month and there have been a lot of ups and downs. Today, we will focus on the ups. Our baby turned two last week and we had a wonderful birthday celebration. She got a new president for her birthday and it was just what she wanted, so we were all happy. Marian is a spunky delight. She has a distinct stinkeye and her moods can turn on a dime. (I am told that she takes after me more than her dad.) She can throw a tantrum and kick around on the floor and she can throw rocks in the creek and kick her shoes off just as well. Her language is spectacular and she seems much older than two years in both abstract concepts and vocabulary. (For example, "A raindrop just fell on my head." "I played with my friends at school yesterday."). She plays with toys and the running commentary is fascinating, "Oh baby! Are you okay? Yes! I am okay. I fell down. It's time to eat. Do you like your food? Yes....