Tomorrow is the beginning of your birthday month. I cannot believe I have been experiencing the joy and sweetness that you have brought into my life for almost three years now. I've forgotten what life was like before you came along, and I don't really even want to remember. Because since the day I first saw your beautiful face, I began living my life with so much more purpose. I became a better person because of you, because I knew that mine is the example you will follow. You are so loving, so full of personality, so entertaining. I barely turn the TV on, or do anything that doesn't involve you because you are so much more fun to watch and have fun with than everything else. Every time I look at you, I'm watching my little baby...the one that used to fit so snug against my chest wrapped in a carrier, the one that I used to carry around in an infant car seat, the one that I spent so many hours nursing and changing diapers... grow into a little girl. You're not a baby anymore (even though you will always be my baby), you are a kid. You learn and explore and discover, and enjoy every second of it. You don't copy my words, or look to me to tell you what to say...you have your own thoughts and you create sentences and conversations that cause my mouth to gape open in astonishment at just how advanced and exquisitely your mind works. As we celebrate your birthday in 22 short days, I want you to know that we don't just celebrate it because it's tradition. We are celebrating you. We are celebrating your life, and all of the love, laughter & joy you have filled ours with. We are celebrating the fact that God handpicked us to raise you and guide you through life. We are celebrating the perfect way that you fit into our lives and teach us what it's really about. We are so thankful, and so very blessed to have you. And I want you to know that no one will ever love you or look out for your well being quite like me and your daddy. And I want you to know that you are perfect and that there could never be a more beautiful you, because God made you and there is no one else in this world like you. Never forget that. I'm so excited to celebrate you this month, because in my eyes... you my love, are the greatest gift on this side of eternity.
Love, Mommy
Your first birthday party...
Now...
I want to remember...
You are still a very picky eater, you prefer the five major food groups: chicken nuggets, macaroni & cheese, grilled cheeses, spaghetti & peanut butter sandwiches.
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You are super smart, and you can remember things from 6 months ago.
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You don't have a favorite toy, you play with everything in your playroom but you prefer to play outside.
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You will stay outside as long as I will let you, even if it's 20 degrees.
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You still sweetly torture FinLee by carrying him around in your arms, pushing him around in your baby stroller and the clothes basket, and treating him as a client at your pretend hair salon.
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You insisted that you were ready to sleep in your own bed. Daddy & I loaded you up and drove you all the way to Toys R Us where you picked out your very own princess toddler bed with Minnie Mouse covers. Daddy was sleepy because of his crazy work schedule, so mommy spent a good 2 hours trying to put this plastic canopy bed together. You were super excited about it...until we turned the lights off. This bed is right beside our bed and mommy even tried to hold your hand the first night while you fell asleep. After 10 minutes of you trying your very best to be brave, I heard you whisper "Mommy, can I pwease sleep wif you?" Of course I let you. And the only kid of mine getting any use out of your $130 toddler bed to this day is the BroDee the dog.
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You learn really really fast. And the teacher in me is overjoyed.
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You now insist that you are mommy's and daddy's girl. Not just mommy's. And so the transition into a daddy's girl begins.
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You spent your first night away from home the night before Thanksgiving, and have thoroughly enjoyed spending the occasional night with grandparents ever since. All the while mommy secretly wishes you were as attached to me as I am to you.
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90% of the time, the grocery store and Target turn you into some sort of crazy child that doesn't listen and tries to escape from mommy. Which is way I only take you with me 10% of the time.
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We read your princess Bible, learn to trace and recognize letters and numbers on the leap pad & say our prayers aloud every single night.
We read your princess Bible, learn to trace and recognize letters and numbers on the leap pad & say our prayers aloud every single night.
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You love to ride any and everything, especially your little pink bike all through the house.
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You speak in full sentences (most of the time with absolutely perfect grammar), have hilarious conversations with anyone that will listen to you, and are far more observant than almost everyone I know.
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I. Love. You.
