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Tim thought he would be prepared when Sophie turned two. He did go through it with Emma. (And she was turning 7 in a month. He didn’t even want to think of that.)
He thought he would be okay to see his baby girl, his firecracker of a little girl turn a year older. But he wasn’t.
He wasn’t even close to prepared.
Sophie was a lot more independent than Emma was at two. She was getting potty trained, she loved to just play on her own (or with Emma. Always with her sissy). She still loved to cuddle up with Tim and Lucy.
She just was getting more and more independent and Tim wasn’t prepared for that. At all.
He walks into Sophie’s room, the baby (he supposes she’s a toddler now) is standing up in her crib.
“Hi baby.” Tim says picking her up. “Happy birthday.” Sophie squeals happily, she also was a morning baby unlike Emma. She always was happy in the morning and Tim thinks she got it from him.
“Dada love you.” She says. Tim presses a kiss to the top of her head. He loves Sophie so much, he thought he knew love with Lucy and Emma but Sophie just made his heart ten times bigger.
Sophie was the exact opposite of her sister, where Emma was shy and cautious. Sophie’s personality was bigger than life.
She loves everyone who pays attention to her, and loves on her. She especially loves who her sister who runs into her room every morning and gets her out of her crib.
(They were thinking of moving her to a big girl bed before she figured out how to get out of bed on her own.)
Everyone at daycare absolutely adores her because just smiles all day. She is goofy and loving, and Tim’s not sure how they ever lived without her.
His baby girl, his little firecracker was two years old.
“Happy birthday baby.” Tim says lifting the baby out of the crib and putting her down. Sophie runs out of the room and Tim follows her where he finds Emma.
“Hi sissy!” Emma squeals. “It’s your birthday.” Sophie laughs, she has no idea what is going on but she takes Emma’s hand and she leads her down the stairs.
Lucy comes out of her room, and Tim meets her halfway. “I see the birthday girl is already up.” She says.
“She is.”
“I can’t believe we have a two year old….again.” Lucy says. “When Emma was two—”
“We moved in together.” Tim says and he holds out his hand for Lucy to take. She smiles at him, and he leads her down the stairs. “And I never imagined we would be here.”
“I know.” Lucy says shaking her head a little. “Don’t get me started on how old Emma is turning.”
“That’s for tomorrow.” Tim says because he has emotions about his big girl turning 7. “Today is about Sophie.”
“Agreed.” Lucy says and they walk into the kitchen where Sophie is staring at the presents. They were having a birthday party today. The good thing about having a 4th of July party was that they could combine both.
“Mine.” Sophie says making grabby hands at the bags.
“Yes,” Lucy says picking her up. “But that’s for your party baby. How about daddy makes some pancakes.” Sophie squeals and claps her hands. Emma claps her hands too, and watches over and attaches herself to Tim.
“Pancakes daddy!” Emma says. “For Sophie.”
“Of course.” Tim says and ruffles her hair. Birthday pancakes were a must in this house, both girls love them.
And he would make them as long as they wanted him to. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
***
Sophie’s party theme this year is TWO groovy, which Lucy was quite proud of. She ordered everything and decorated the yard in the morning. It was a lot of pink, orange and flowers. But Tim thought it was cute and it matched Sophie’s personality.
Tim was in charge of the food, and making sure Emma stayed away from the cake.
“Daddy!” Emma protests. “I’m the sister of the birthday girl!” Tim shakes his head, he picks up some blueberries (no strawberries because Sophie is allergic) and gives them to Emma.
“Have some blueberries. They are good for you.” He says. Emma blows out a breath but takes them and then skips away.
Lucy comes over with a smile on her face. “Was she trying to get to the cake?” She asks.
“When did she become so sassy?” Tim asks. Lucy lets out a laugh and taps his shoulder.
“You just noticed?” She asks. “You don’t even want to know what she wants for her birthday.” Tim groans and Lucy leans up to give him a kiss.
“Not right now.” He says and he looks over to where Sophie is riding around on the little balance bike. They let her open it so she could have some fun and not be bored before the party.
“Okay,” Lucy says. “I think it’s all ready. Everyone should start coming soon.” Tim looks around and then gathers her in his arms.
“You did a good job Luce.”
“Yeah?” She says. “This could be one of the last years I pick her party theme. I just want her to be happy.”
“She’s two babe.” Tim says and he looks at his daughter who is giggling as Emma pushes her a little. She’s two..he remembers when she was born. It was a stressful, traumatic day but they got their perfect baby out of it.
“I know. I know.” Lucy says. “She is so independent more than Emma was so I’m not used to her not being at my side.”
Tim hums softly, as Sophie comes over and reaches up for him to pick her up. “Hi sweetie. Are you having fun?”
Sophie nods and lays her head on his shoulder, and then she spots Lucy and reaches for her.
“Mama.” She says. Lucy takes the baby from Tim, and he does one more look around.
This was going to be a great party.
***
The party goes smoothly, and Lucy surprises the kids with a jump house. It’s a princess castles but Jack doesn’t seem to mind. He jumps right in, and then Emma pulls Sophie in. It’s perfect, and Tim really loves that all his friends and family (his mom and sister are here too. His mom told him she wouldn’t miss this for the world.)
They did plan the party to end just as the sun was setting, so everyone could go out and see the fireworks.
“I can’t believe she’s two.” Angela says to Tim as they are cleaning up. Tim glances over at Sophie who is in her little birthday outfit. Her hair is messed up, her cheeks are flushed but she looks like she is having fun. And considering she didn’t take a nap today, he has a feeling she will be asleep pretty soon.
“Me neither.” Tim says. “It seems like just yesterday Emma was two and calling me daddy for the first time.”
“Dad!” Emma squeals running up to him. “When are we going to see the fireworks?” Tim shakes his head, Emma looks just as happy as her sister does. She played hard today too.
“Soon Bug.” Tim says. “Why don’t you help Sophie get all her presents inside.” Emma nods and runs off without another word.
“She’s going to be in 1st grade?” Angela says shaking her head. “These kids need to stop growing up.”
“Tell me about it.” Tim says. He remembers when he helped throw Emma’s 1st birthday party in this very backyard. He remembers asking Lucy out but she said no.
And now—
That one year old was almost 7, and was helping her sister carry all the toys and clothes inside the house.
“Either Sophie is going to crash during the fireworks or we might have a problem.” Lucy says coming over to them. “I have never seen a two year old with so much energy.”
“Emma is energized too.” Tim says. Lucy sighs and blows out a breath, she comes over and Tim reaches out to pull her in.
“It was a good day.”
“A very good day.” Tim says. “The party was great Luce. Sophie is very loved.”
“I know.” Lucy says and she turns to face him. “This doesn’t make you want another?” Tim shakes his head. They have been over this before. They were happy with their two girls, and after everything Lucy went through with Sophie. She was the one who was insistent about not having another baby. But maybe she has changed her mind.
“No.” He says. “Have you changed your mind?”
“No.” Lucy says. “It just makes me realize we only get these moments for so long. Our girls are growing up.”
“I know.” Tim says softly, he’s been struggling with it too. Especially today, and Sophie was only two but she was so independent. She was going to be in preschool sooner rather than later. “But we just got to make the best of these moments now you know?”
Lucy hums softly, and this was just another chapter in their story. Their future was bright, like it always has been.
Their girls were growing up but Tim has a feeling that it could only get better.
***
Tim sets up a cozy little set up in the back of his truck so they can watch the fireworks. There’s blankets and pillows. Both girls are snuggled in between them. Sophie has headphones on but she is bouncing in place.
“Remember when we watch the fireworks from the hospital room Emma?” Tim asks. His daughter looks over at him, a smile on her face.
“That was fun.”
“Yeah?” Tim says. “Should we go do that again?” Emma shakes her head, and Lucy laughs a little. So much had changed in two years but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“When will they start?” Emma asks. As if on cue, a firework lights up the sky. Tim sees the wonderment in both Sophie and Emma’s eyes and he loves it. More fireworks go off and Emma is amazed.
“So pretty.” Emma says smiling. Tim sometimes wishes he could see life through Emma’s eyes. She was so innocent, so young and so much had happened to her in her short life but yet she still was amazed by fireworks every single year.
“Pretty.” Sophie repeats after her. Tim and Lucy exchange a look, just as more fireworks light up the sky.
“Happy birthday Sophie.” Lucy says and she leans over to press a kiss to the top of her head. “We love you.”
“Happy birthday sissy.” Emma says and she leans into Tim. Another firework crosses the sky and Tim knows this is a perfect night.
“Happy birthday Soph.” He says. Sophie giggles and claps her hands.
It was a perfect, absolutely perfect end to the night for their little firecracker.