So today my baby turns 2. It seems like just yesterday I was lying in a hospital bed holding her for the first time and now she's eating pizza (her favorite food in the world), trying to brush her own teeth and even singing her ABCs.

When I was pregnant and after Emma was born, every parent I ran into was telling me to appreciate every minute of time with my child because they grow up so fast. I thought they were overexaggerating at least a little, but it was no lie.

Emma's always been very, VERY independent and has never been a real snuggler. Even when she was a newborn she would rather have explored the world on her blanket than be held for too long. As she got older, that never really changed. However, the past few nights she's been all into snuggling up with Mommy and Daddy. It was the greatest feeling in the world last night when Emma and I snuggled up on the floor with a blankie and, of course, yellow teddy to watch "American Idol."

Emma's been talking about her birthday for several weeks now, maybe even longer. It took me quite awhile to convince her that she was really going to be 2. (One day on our car ride home from work she was adamant that she would rather be 8.) She's also very excited that her grandmas, grandpas, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends will be coming over this weekend to celebrate. She understands the cake and presents thing this year, and is counting down the days.

I've enjoyed every minute of the last two years (OK, maybe not the tantrums and late-night wake-up calls), and while I'd like to keep her a baby forever, I'm sure there will be many more milestones and snuggling sessions to look forward to in the years to come.