Here we are again: another July 9th. It's your second birthday and life is so different than it was just one year ago. Your sappy mommy is full of so many emotions today...
In your first year of life, you were a chubby little blob of random noises and giggles that periodically spewed bodily fluids everywhere. You had fat rolls all over the place, your hair was sparse, and you always looked surprised. You had just started crawling before your first birthday. And now? You're this amazing, bubbly, energetic little princess who is so full of life and wonder. You run, jump (kind of), and don't hesitate to tell us what's on your mind. You're always boisterous, busy, and curious. And I love every exhausting second of it.
Last year on your birthday, I wondered what you'd be like now. Here were my thoughts:
I'm almost certain you'll still be a hot-headed little spitfire because I don't think that's a trait that's easily lost. I think you'll be a funny little kid who doesn't like to be told 'no' and still enjoys music more than anything. It looks like you'll still have blue eyes and probably some dirty blond hair with a smidge of red in it. I bet you'll hate wearing hair bows or having your hair done at all. You'll still be a picky eater but hopefully a good sleeper *fingers crossed* And I'm really holding out hope that you'll like to cuddle, because I really want to cuddle with you and you just won't let me!Well, I was mostly right. Hot-headed spitfire? Pretty much, but you're a little more tame now than you used to be. Your disposition is generally happy and spunky with a few (normal) temper tantrums sprinkled in. You're actually a very well-behaved child. You're certainly funny- you make us laugh every single day, no matter how awful our days have been. Even when I was under an incredible amount of stress and pressure at work, or stressed about my health, you have always been able to wash that away and make me laugh. You certainly don't like to be told 'no' but you handle it pretty well. Especially if we say "nah" instead of "no." Don't ask. We have no clue why. You do love music, and sing a whole bunch of songs. Your first song was "Rain Rain Go Away." You've kept your big, beautiful, twinkly blue eyes and your dirty blond hair with a smidge of red. Thankfully, your hair has started to grow in and the "old man hair" is a thing of the past, but you traded it for a bit of a mullet. Nothing a little hair clip can't somewhat fix. You have a cheesy little smile with an adorable gap between your front teeth. You hated having bows put in your hair until recently, and now it doesn't bother you. Although you'll rip them out of your hair multiple times per day when they annoy you. Picky eater? Kind of, but it's getting better every week. I'm so happy to say that you're a great sleeper- there have been a few bumps along the way, but you usually sleep for about 11-12 hours per night and about 2-3 hours during the day. We had to put you in your toddler bed in April because you became an escape artist and started climbing out of your crib. I was NOT ready for that, but you've done exceptionally well in your big-girl bed. And as far as cuddling... well... we take what we can get. And it's usually when you're scared or hurt, but I cling to the rare moments when you just want to cuddle because you love me.
When you were a baby, you were so chubby. You caught up to the average height and weight for your age pretty quickly, especially since you were 8 weeks early. But after you started walking, that baby fat disappeared and you have ended up being this tiny little toddler. You surprise people in public, because you look so young (your hair is short and you're small for your age) but once you start talking, you can visibly see their reaction to this tiny little know-it-all. You are so very social and say "hi" and "how are you?" to everyone who passes at the grocery store, but I think you sometimes offend older women or women with blond hair when you call them "Grammy" out of nowhere. They don't realize it's a compliment ;) Tiny or not, you have this amazing little pot belly that I love to pat, and the cutest little feet. I'm still not sure where your cute nose came from... you love helping around the house and cleaning with us, but for some reason you think any dirt on the floor is poop. So we'll suddenly hear you say "oooooooh nooooooo! Poop! Poop right there!" and it'll turn out to be a fragment of mulch. Or a piece of fuzz. And you absolutely despise being dirty, so you love washing your hands or wiping the dirt onto mommy's clothes.
Looking ahead, I can only hope that you continue to be so full of life and curiosity. I hope you still love animals, music, and books. I think you'll still be way too smart for your own good, and we probably won't be able to get much past you. I sincerely hope you're potty trained by this time next year, but you're so stubborn that I can't be so sure. I picture you still walking around with an Elmo attached to you at all times, and probably picky about what clothes you wear. I don't know if you'll still be napping in the afternoon or not. I think you'll be spunky, energetic, and constantly asking "why?" And again, I selfishly hope you'll want to cuddle more.
Pumpkin, you're nothing short of amazing. My days are filled with finding Elmo (because you cannot function without keeping tabs on him throughout the day), wiping messy hands, sweeping up crumbs from the floor, changing diapers (hopefully not for much longer!), bribing you for kisses, and getting drenched during bath time. I cherish bed time- we snuggle on the rocker while I read you some books, then I sit on the floor next to your bed and sing you songs while you lie down and cling to your Elmo. I wouldn't trade this life for anything else at all. And I know Daddy wouldn't either- you are the absolute most precious thing in the world to him. My heart melts to see how much he loves you. You don't know this, but after you go to bed, Daddy and I gush about all the funny and adorable things you said/did during the day and how cute you are. On a daily basis, we say things like "she's so cute" "I just love her so much" and "she's the best." No joke- on a daily basis.
And, as expected, I've learned a lot this year. I've never taken you for granted, but this year reminded me just how much you mean to me. My job has been relentlessly stressful and I've realized that it's more important to be here- and be present- for you than to worry so much about being under-appreciated at work. And then when my health issues came up, I realized that my number one priority, again, is to be here for you for as long as possible. When it came down to it, the choice between never having another child or always being at the doctor and possibly getting really sick was easy. I need to be your mommy. Forever.
You see, kiddo, I need you as much as you need me and Daddy. It's as simple as that. So while you may only be a little peanut of a two-year-old, you've taken up so much space in my heart that it's about to burst. You're so smart, and I hope that never changes because at this rate, you can do anything you could ever dream of. One of your favorite books is "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss. My favorite quote is "Kid, you'll move mountains!" And my darling, you will.
I love you forever,
Mommy
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