Today, Friday, Nov. 18, marks a significant milestone in my life: my daughter, Lyla, turns 2 years old.

It is hard to believe that it has been two years since I gave birthday to my precious, sweet baby girl.

As I reflect on the time that’s passed and all that I’ve learned since Lyla was born, there are two things that really stand out to me about her impact on my life — first, I am a better person because of my daughter, and second I am a better reporter because I am a mom.

To start off with I am considerably more patient than I was before she was born. I lose my temper less often.

And I have a different perspective on life, so, things that may have frustrated me before I became a mother now tend to make me laugh.

Lyla is smart, stubborn, independent, hilarious and creative.

When I get home from work she wants me to chase her around the house, play with her or when the weather is nice, go for a walk in our neighborhood.

Many sunny days this past summer I would walk through the laundry room door to a squealing toddler who would immediately grab my finger and lead me to the backyard.

From there we would walk through the gate to the front of the house and walk up and down our street.

If Lyla wants me to read her a book, she’ll select one, bring it to me and drop it in my lap.

Or, if I’m not paying attention, chuck it at me — with her left hand, which she also uses to eat with, color, wave, high five and hold things.

Her creativity is fun. I imagine she is like most toddlers. Toys are fun but so are empty Amazon boxes which are great places to sit or color on.

I think that even if she didn’t have piles of toys and stuffed animals she would still be able to entertain herself just fine with whatever she could find.

I hope I can encourage that creative play and use of imagination well into her childhood.

Now, she does have her moments, there have been tantrums and unexpected disasters.

There have been booboos, scrapes, bruises and cuts.

Somehow, I have managed to stay calm through these moments, at least for the most part.

And I know this is because she’s my kid.

But, I have found that being more patient has made a difference in my other relationships and in my job.

I also think being a mom has given me a new perspective as a journalist.

Now when I mess up and don’t get a kid’s name in the paper for sports or when I get a call from a proud parent about the cool thing his son did last week.

I get it, and it’s not just an oversight or a story. It’s a chance to give a parent bragging rights for their kid. It’s a celebration of a milestone.

And I totally understand that, because like any parent, I could talk for hours about my daughter.

She is the light of my life, so, I just want to spread that light around.

It’s also allowed me to be more sympathetic and compassionate on the tough stories about young people who have died too soon, stories I have unfortunately written more frequently than I care to think about in the past few years.

A few years ago, before we had decided for sure to start a family, someone told me there is no right time to have kids.

While I understand where that’s coming from, I feel like Lyla came into my life at the perfect time, as if the universe was just waiting for me to give it the green light.

Through the columns and blog posts I’ve written over the past two and a half years about my pregnancy, her birth, the early months as well as all the little moments that happened along the way I’ve connected with other people in my life and the community in a way I never thought possible.

I am glad to have given you a glimpse into that part of my life. So often journalists come across as soulless robots at worse and insensitive, socially awkward jerks at best.

Now you know not only am I your neighbor, I am real person, who goes through ups and downs. All of that makes me a better person and a better reporter.

So, while I work on getting a Cookie Monster cake — Lyla is now obsessed with Sesame Street, she’s figured out how to watch it on my iPad — and arranging a little party for my baby girl, thank all for going on this journey with me since May 2009.

Happy birthday, Lyla! Mommy loves you more than you will ever know.