Satie turned two today. It hardly seems possible that seven hundred thirty one days have passed since she graced us with her boisterous presence. To say our life has never been the same is an understatement. Every day since Satie came has been brighter, more amazing, more filled with wonder than her parents ever could have imagined. The world through Satie-colored glasses is a huge classroom, filled with learning opportunities; a huge playground just waiting to be explored. Satie’s vocabulary has grown exponentially over the last year, and really allowed her to express her personality in a way her parents only dreamed possible. This expression is so exact that sometimes her parents forget that not so long ago she was exactly like her little brother, who cannot express himself as succinctly.

She has grown into an amazing helper, very independent and sure of herself. She’s not really afraid to take on anything, or anyone for that matter. She bravely climbs the steepest of stairs without batting an eye, all the while bringing a certain amount of consternation to her dad. She excitedly declares, “I did it! Satie did it!” at the end of a challenging task. It fills her mum’s heart with pride to watch Satie learning so much, and she frequently has to check her expectations of Satie because she seems so well advanced beyond her two years. It only makes those times at the end of the day when they are in the rocking chair, reading books before bedtime all the more precious. “Mommy hold you?!” she asks. “Yes, Satie. Mommy would be delighted to hold you.” And she is, for far too quickly the days are approaching when she won’t want anyone to hold her before bed. Good night and sweet dreams, Sweet Satie. Don’t grow up too quickly. Two years of time with you are already passed, it barely seems possible. We’re looking forward to so many more amazing memories… Happy Birthday to my amazing precious girl, I love you with all of my heart!

Little Satie is bursting with personality, and she can’t wait to tell everyone she sees about the loves of her life: Peppa Pig, applesauce, swingsets and slides, her baby brother, swimming and airplanes.

Satie’s mom and dad have indulged her love for outdoor activities as much as they can manage with a new little baby in tow, and when the family visited Bayview Park a couple of weeks ago, Satie leapt from the car and made a beeline for the swings.

Satie enjoyed the swings thoroughly, squealing and hooting until she was red-faced and her curly hair moistened with sweat.

With encouragement from her dad, Satie took short breaks to go down slides, explore playground tunnels and watch the other denizens of the park, but each time she would request a hasty return to the swingset.

As the sun grew higher in the sky, Satie was clearly unperturbed, wishing only to keep enjoying the park.

When the time to leave finally came, Satie was sad, but dutifully marched back to the car, and after only a few moments of protest as she watched the playground disappear in the distance, her little eyes surrendered to the mounting exhaustion and she fell fast asleep.

This morning, as Satie and her dad lay reading together about some of her favorite animals, she pointed out that the dolphins in her book were very wet. “Two dolphins in ocean very wet!”, she stated. Her dad, ever wanting to encourage her exploratory nature and her understanding of the world, explained that though the dolphins live in the ocean water, sometime they like to swim very fast under the surface and then leap out high into the air, splashing back down again afterward. He explained that they were wet because they had just come up out of the water. Satie thought about this for a moment, and then decided, “They need a towel!”

Satie is awaiting the birth of her baby brother Sebastian. Her mom and dad are on their way to the hospital for a night of waiting and working, and they hope to introduce the two siblings tomorrow.

Follow all of the excitement at http://sebastianmjones.com/

Satie continues to enchant her daddy, growing in beauty and intellect every day.

They spent the day together on Saturday, walking hand in hand through the neighborhood, losing hours perusing the offerings of a bookstore, sharing a lemonade and reading about the Loch Ness Monster while wrapped up in a blanket.

In spite of all of the distractions and stressors that tend to close in and oppress these days, Satie’s natural playfulness, inquisitiveness and joy always serve to soften the weariness of the evening, and give clear purpose to her daddy’s life.