Turning Two Came With Boundaries for Autumn Rose

Today my daughter, Autumn Rose, turned two — and somehow managed to run the entire day without saying a word.

We’re in Indianapolis, surrounded by family, cake on the table, phones out, and everyone hoping things go smoothly. They didn’t. But that’s kind of the point, isn’t it?

Her dad put her up on the table so she could be front and center for her cake moment. Autumn Rose sat there with her legs stretched out, looking around like she was still deciding how she felt about all of this. The cake was right in front of her, but she didn’t rush to touch it. She stared at it first. Studied it. Looked at us. Looked back at the cake. Very cautious. Very serious.

Shoes? She wanted them off. Immediately.

Once they were gone, she looked way more comfortable. That should’ve been our first clue to let her take the lead.

When it was time to sing Happy Birthday, we were excited. Too excited. We were loud — and the moment the singing started, her face changed. Autumn Rose cried. Not a meltdown, just overwhelmed. Too much noise. Too many eyes on her all at once.

So we stopped. We adjusted. We let her breathe.

After that, she slowly warmed back up. Fingers dipped into the frosting, then straight to her mouth. She wasn’t trying to smash the cake — just explore it on her own terms.

Photos weren’t her thing today either. Every time a phone came out, she turned away or focused on literally anything else. No posing. No performing. Just existing.

Her grandfather sat right there the whole time — calm, smiling, watching her with that quiet kind of love that doesn’t need attention. In that moment, it was just family. No big meaning attached. Just being together.

There are no labels attached to this day. No explanations. Just a two-year-old navigating a very big moment the only way she knows how.

Despite the tears, the noise, the crooked candles, and the barely-touched cake, we enjoyed our time in Indianapolis. We laughed. We adjusted. We made memories.

Two years old.

No shoes.

Too much singing.

Chocolate cake explored very carefully.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Autumn Rose 💗