HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

You haven't been born quite yet. It is 12:54 am and last year at this time I was watching the clock amazed (frustrated too!) that I hadn't seen your sweet face yet. I was hard at work focusing on every contraction. The hours to come would be full of position changes, foot rubs, back rubs, and bathroom breaks! I will write you again later today and relive the day with you!

love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Beauty of YOU

SO funny

Many people have made observations about you lately and they all say the same thing: you are funny, you have spunk, and you love attention! Most people wouldnt be surprised by this because most babies love to giggle and play. But you...you are different. You KNOW what you are doing when you make that face and throw your head back to laugh. You KNOW that when you crunch up your face into a million dents and dimples and squeeze your eyes closed that people will smile and AWWWWWW over you. You work it, girl.

I can't wrap my head around the idea that you will be ONE in 9 days....where did the time go? I swear I was just sitting on the couch wrapping presents while you were busy shoving your heel into my ribs. I couldnt even sit down to eat Christmas dinner because there was too much pressure pushing up whenever I sat down. Today is the last day of work for me before break and last year at this time I recollect the feeling of my skin feeling like it was pulled as tight as it could possibly get. I was sure my belly button was going to rip open. The elastic of my pants couldnt stay up because the material would bind and roll all the way down from my round belly. I was so excited to meet you. I was so ready for this adventure. Now almost one year later your heels dig into me from the outside as you scramble to nurse as fast as you can. Even Owen laughs when you spot the mark and come at me, mouth wide open, say OOOOOOOOOM, and latching as fast as you can. Its actually a little scary! haha You are walking almost full time and you can mimic most sounds. You talk ALL THE TIME. I've never seen anything like it. You are the girl I always dreamed of, and more. You are MINE :) ok ok, OURS :)


love, mom

Meeting Santa

You weren't too sure about the man in red, but you didn't cry. You did, however, go into a coughing fit right before and threw up all over your shirt and my arm. It smelled bad but Santa was used to it :) Though daddy and I stunk cleaning it up, daddy said he was just glad all the stuff (phlegm) wasn't in you any more. You have had back to back cold and ear infections. Though you always tough it out I was really freaked SUnday night when you wont up with chills. I never felt a baby shake before and I called the doctor immediately. Is it spring yet?

In other news - you are as sturdy as can be while you stand and play. You will take little steps here and there but havent made the commitment to walking yet. Its okay, take your time...stay my baby :)


love you!!!!!!!!!!

Standing...just hanging out

To watch you stand to play with something or even better - stand and clap for something - is amazing. Last night I watched you crawl to stand without holding on to anything!!!!! I literally froze in awe. How did you get here? How did you get this big? Where has the time gone?

You are still nursing away and cuddling into my nap like a baby, but I know this "babyness" is slowly fading away. This last year has been precious to me. I look forward to what is ahead for us but boy, I am going to miss that fat faced baby that had such a serious look! Even now, when I take a smiling picture of you and a second later take a serious picture of you - daddy will always choose the serious face. Its solemn and beautiful, I get it. But your smile is MY favorite! Chubby and wrinkled and a bit askew. I love it.

Last night I rocked you to sleep because I wanted to. I held you while you slept because I wanted to. I felt relieved I could still bunch you up into a little snuggle ball and hold you to my chest. I might have cried for a second. I cherish your life. I cherish my life with you and Owen and Daddy. Things are so good RIGHT NOW, I dont want them to fly by.

Enjoy your first real snow, my bird.

love you

WAlKING!!!!

4 STEPS..OVER AND OVER TODAY...WE ALL CHEERED! Owen begged for me to "make" you do it again. You clapped and raised your hands in the air. You were proud. We were proud too. You are awesome and we love you SOOOOOO much!!!!

Your First Thanksgiving and our NEW HOUSE!!

You loved spending your first Thanksgiving with both sets of grandparents, your aunt jenny and uncle brett, your aunt jess and uncle brian, and your cousins stella, sophia, and sadie! The entire day and night was full of laughs, playing, and rough housing :)

You ate almost everything we did - including a tiny piece of pumpkin pie!!

We moved into our new house this week. You arent used to such a huge area to crawl. You are working on your stamina as you usually lie down and take a break halfway across the living room..haha

Last night you took your very first unstable step for Daddy and me! We all cheered for you!! You are always laughing and kissing and your cutest new look? Scrunching your nose when you smile - adorable!!!!!!

I've noticed a dimple on your right cheek - I wonder if it will stay?

............___________..............

I'm so excited to raise you in our new home, Mollybird. I envision what your room will look like when you are older. How the birds on your wall will change to barbie posters and then boy bands... I wonder how many times we will have heart to heart talks in that room. My soul hurts thinking of times you'll slam your door and say you hate me....but I wont think about that now. For this moment I will soak up all the little things that you MINE, and our home OURS.

love,

Mama

Pictures Can't Capture

I'm a photographer. I find worth in a blurry photo. I have a passion to capture emotion. But a picture can't capture the way my heart swells when you snuggle into my chest when you're tired. It cant capture the pride I feel when I walk into a room and you go crazy - laughing, gasping, tongue out, and clapping! It can't hold on to those hours when you need me because your gums hurt from brand new sharp teeth. I hate when you hurt but I love to be the one to comfort you.

Last night was a tough one. Teeth again. I cuddled and walked around the room. I left the hallway light on by accident and when I walked by the mirror in your room your face was illuminated by the cascading light. You looked like an angel. Your legs curled over my arm. Your solid body was tucked under your pink blanket. Your head on my shoulder, cheek squished. Your eye lashes are so long. Your lips, puckered perfection. Your hair smells so sweet and is so soft. You are like a little dandelion.

I love you so much it hurts.


xo
Mommy

Wordless Wednesday

Panniculitis?

So I gave you a homemade popsicle this weekend and you LOVED it. It felt so good on your gums (your two top teeth are going to break through any time now) and you sucked on it for a long time. But you know what happened? It made your cheeks so cold that the little fat cells in your cheeks were damaged. Now you have big two red circles on either side of your mouth and they are hard. I thought it would go away within in hour. Its been 5 days. I called your Pediatrician crying. I didn't know what to do - it was a POPSICLE for crying out loud. I didnt know it could hurt you. I am so so sorry. SHe said there's nothing we can do. That its going to take time for the fat cells to warm up and take shape again. I'm afraid some of the red will stay on your cheeks permanently. I know there could be worse things but I want you to be ok :(

Please please get better soon!!! I've said A LOT of prayers, I hope He is listening.

LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS

Halloween

What a beautiful little Peacock you were :) Everyone thought you were adorable of course!

Here are the pics!

Peek a Boo - you!

This weekend you PEEK-A-BOO'd all on your own!!! It is sooooooooooooo cute :) My favorite is when you do it repeatedly but accidentally cover your forehead or nose instead. Actually my favorite is when you cover your ears instead...or maybe you are doing that on purpose because you are sick of me OOOOOOhing and AAAAWWWWing all over you. I just love you and your sweetness.

I took a few 9 month pictures and it was pretty painless. It is always tricky to find time to do it and get daddy up to jump around for an hour trying to get you to "look here" and "smile".

You are beautiful. Inside and Out.

love, mom

P.s. I think we are moving into a brand new home!! I will keep you posted!!

Molly Moo

Daddy calls you Molly Moo and I just love it :) You are so funny these days. You LOVE when I chase you when you crawl. You will craw for a few steps and turn to see if I am following you. When you see that I am near, you squeal and turn around and take off as fast as you can. My favorite is when you do this chase mid diaper change and your chubby buns are up in the air moving as fast as possible :)

You have started eating solid food like bananas and bread/muffins. You are hungry more often and I'm not sure my milk supply can keep up! At your 9 month appt you weighed in at 20 lbs and 27 inches. (85 and 30 percentile but that doesnt seem right to me)

Your kisses are just as sweet and you LOVE to copy cat. Your newest trick is this funny thing with your lips. I looks like you are about to give a rasberry...but you dont..:) You are so sweet and little but yet so stong and solid. I can't get enough of you, ever.

I love you, Molly Moo!

9 months

I love the little things about you. I love that as soon as we walk into your bedroom you begin sucking your tongue. I love that you get this long dimple across the top of your right cheek when you laugh really hard. I love that you point that itty bitty finger at everything. I love that you love babies. I love that you when you set your mind to something you GO at it. Like really go crazy for it. I love your solid body and your chunky buns. I love our morning snuggles at 6 am. I love when you act shy and bury your head into my shoulder.

You are lovely. You are sweet. You are funny. You are everything to me.

I love you.

Clapping

OH TO SEE YOU CLAP!

here

HERE

9/11

Ten years ago a disgusting act of evil took over 2,000 lives of people that were working in the Twin Towers in New York. I don't know when I will tell you about it but I do want you to know that our country is strong. That America bounces back. That people heal over time and sometimes you just have to put one foot after the other and just GO. You may feel like this at times yourself. But remember, God has plans and there isn't always an answer. Just have faith and love everyone around you.

love, mom

8 months!

8 months and you can't stand to crawl any more, well, unless it is to get somewhere else where you can stand. You love standing and especially love to surprise me while I'm laying on the couch. Suddenly, we are eye level and it cracks you up. We spent your 8 monthday at the beach taking some pictures. It was a mini last hooraj before our big last hoorah next weekend. I am to work tomorrow.

And I hate to spoil a Monthday post and get all teary eyed about going back to work and missing you so bad that I can literally feel my heart break into pieces inside my chest. But I don't want to go. I want to snuggle in the morning with you and tackle your belly from under our warm covers. I want to have a secret playdate with you before Owen wakes up. I want to kiss you whenever I want. Seriously, that hurts the most. I'll go teach but can't someone have you near by so I can stop and kiss you? Just let me rub your soft back for a send and feel your solid torso in my arms? Please?

Tomorrow will be hard and so will Wednesday, but NEXT monday night...that's going to be the worst. So I need to make sure every moment I am with you is the best.

love, mom

Standing!

You pulled up to stand today! You looked at me like it was no big deal and just tried to get closer to my face. I have so many pictures to include in these posts but my laptop is off getting fixed so I can't download them yet. It is driving me crazy! We went to Millenium Park with Amanda and Charlie last week. We also went to Newaygo to Aunt Melissa's place and saw goats and chickens. We went to Fredrick Meijer Gardens yesterday and you loved looking at the flowers and wading in the water area. We have been so busy trying to soak up the last few days of summer before I have to go back to....*GULP*... work.

I cant even talk about it yet. My stomach truly feels sick. I will write about it when I have to.

Until then, thank you for making every morning the very very best. Your smile and cuddles are the perfect start to my day.

I love you I love I love you!

Just perfect

Watching you crawl on all fours, watching you suddenly pull up on your knees and then into standing position, watching you grow so fast before my eyes...its amazingly perfect and perfectly heartbreaking. But you, Molly, are just perfect. I can never get enough of your sweet fluffy hair, your soft cheeks, your funny laugh..oh, I just love you so.

love, mom

Your First Kiss

You gave Daddy you first kiss. You puckered up, leaned in, and gave him a tiny little kiss. It was so sweet. I keep stealing kisses from you every second I can and I love when you pucker up - it is so so cute!!!! But remember Molly, Daddy was the first man you ever loved and he is the first person you ever kissed :)

You have started looking for things after the fall which means we are headed in a whole new phase now! You transfer toys from hand to hand as well. When we were outside you tried to grab a tiny any that was crossing by your foot. Look at these milestones, baby!!

Your right bottom tooth is up, just the sharp little bumps, actually. The left tooth hasnt actually popped up through the gum, it is just sitting there. The little opening that was there before doesnt seem open anymore so we will see! You will be teething for the next year so you can take your time; I know it isnt fun! But I will always be here to comfort you!

xoxoxox love you!

TWO TEETH!

I knew they were on their way, but it is official: two teeth have broken the surface! Besides a slight fever and some temporary fussiness, you haven't seemed bothered by them at all. You are one tough girl!

Your fluffy hair is starting to fill in a bit more all of a sudden. You are eating A LOT of baby food and I'm thinking we may try PUFFS in a few weeks. You love grabbing Owen's sippy cup and trying to drink from it so we may try a cup your size as well. You are growing way too fast.

Tonight as I nursed you and rocked you I kept thinking about your birth. I have yet to write it in your blog but I remember every detail. It is amazing. The way my body was able to create you. You are perfection. I can't take much credit, but I feel so lucky. I looked down at your nicely painted (pink) toenails (oh yes I did!) and wondered how God thought of EVERY detail!? And how did every single one of your details come out so beautiful? Inside and out, you are simply SWEET. My favorite thing about you right now is the excited and shy smile you give Daddy when he gets home. You scrunched into a little ball, throw yourself over my should and laugh and smile that smile. Daddy just adores it too. My other favorite thing happened tonight. You were struggling falling asleep a little bit so I was trying to hold you in some other positions. As I found "the one" your entire body relaxed and you lifted your little arm up and rested your fist on my chest. It was like you were saying, "I can feel you mama, I know you're here, I'm safe and I'm warm, goodnight". Of course that is what I would LOVE for you to actually think but I feel that way for YOU. I want you to always feel an ease about me that says I'M HERE, YOU ARE SAFE, YOU ARE LOVED. Whether you are 7 months or 37 years old I want you to always feel protected. You have a family that loves you, always.

And just so you can tease Owen about this someday...he asks for you every morning as soon as he wakes up. When you awake from a nap he gets SO excited and runs to your room. He wanted his toenails painted like yours. He helps feed you every day and tells you that you are messy. He says you are fun and silly. He dances with you. He loves you too. I hope he protects you too. I bet he will.

Goodnight my sweet bird. I cannot wait to see those big blue eyes in the morning!

love,

MMMMMMMama (which you say 100+ times a day)

p.s. YOU CRAWLED TO ME TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! loved every second of it!!!

Pulling Up!

You are pulling up on everything you can! You do best once you get on one knee and tripod against the couch, table, etc. You said DA DA very clearly last week and you just keep wrapping daddy tighter and tighter around your finger :)

You are a VERY happy baby! The only time you get upset is when you are hungry or tired and when you are left alone downstairs. Even if you can still see me, you cry and cry. And because I'm your mom and my heart breaks whenever you seem upset, I come rescue you...not EVERY time because you have to learn..but most of the time.

You are 7 months now :) You sleep from 8 - 7 usually. No teeth yet but I see two bottom teeth that are coming up at the same time (still).

We went to a Monday Mom Movie day with Auntie Amanda & Charlie and Auntie Jackie and Jolie. The Meltons were there too! We had a girls lunch afterwards and had a blast! We went to the Children's Museum on Friday and you and Charlie discovered all sorts of cool things. You two are great friends already! We've also been going to Gymboree Gym and you listen to music, shake instruments, and play in the gym with soft blocks and balls. This summer has been so busy and so much fun! I don't want it to be August -- I dont want to go back to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will miss you so much and when that bell hits 3:00 I will be RUSHING to come get you. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Your first vacation!!

We traveled to Tennessee last week and met up with your cousins. It was the first time Brendon, Hayden, and Tabitha had met you! We had so much fun spending time together. The kids loved on you and were kissing you ALL of the time :)

love you

I love your blue eyes
I love your fuzzy head
I love the way you look up at me
from all fours in your bed

I love your silly laugh
I love your shy grin
I love the way you wake me up
so cuddling can begin

I wanted a girl for so very long
I dreamed of they way we'd be
and I am so happy that I have her now
She can be sure she'll ALWAYS have me.

Miss Independent

You found your independence yesterday! On July 4th you began crawling :) It isnt the knees and hands crawl, but more like a snake pretending he is a wounded soldier...ok, try to imagine that one! You get up on one knee and then reach, you usually fall to the side and then slither and then kind of..hop..for your final step. There is video that will be much more clear than my description!

We stayed at home for the holiday. Just relaxed. Tried a new sprinkler game and you wore your first bathing suit. You didnt like the shock of the cold water at first but then you adjusted and smiled :)

You are eating up a storm! Beans, Peas, carrots, and sweet potato...they have to be warmed up a little, of course :)

You are one the move now, sister, and you are driving your brother crazy already. Guess he better learn how to share...FAST!

6 months to the day!

You are adorable :)

You went to daycare today (Nana charges for Wednesdays so I do it so you can socialize and I can run errands) and I cried when I left you. I love spending all of my time with you. Your personality just shines and you makes so many funny faces. You love to play games and do SO BIG. Your grip is very strong and you dig your little fingers all the time. Sometimes you pinch me but I currently have to large open wounds on my eyelid and cheek from you lashing out and grabbing!! Dont worry, I forgive you! (and by the way, no matter what you do - ever - i will forgive you and love you) You love to be bounced and you love to be tickled. You adore my rendition on "Lollipop" which I have changed to "Mollybird" and it can get you to stop crying on MOST days.

You had your shots yesterday and though you cried you didnt act any differently. No sleepiness, no fever, no aches...just happy baby!

You weighed in at 19 lbs which puts you in the 95th percentile!!

You are the light of my life. I love you.

Baptism

You have officially become a member of God's family! Today, dressed beautifully, you were baptized. Everything went wonderful. We had brunch afterwards at Brick Road Pizza with both sets pf grandparents, the Nesbitts, and the Brighton Johnsons. You received sweet gifts, too. You are so loved, Molly. Everyone wants the best for you. And the best for us is to give you up to God; He has a great plan for you, sweetheart.

love, mom

Just have to tell you again

that I love you. I am so thankful you are my daughter, that you are healthy, that you are safe, and that you are happy. Sometimes I sit back and watch you play with a toys and just think to myself LOOK AT HER! YOU (daddy and me) MADE HER. WE LOVED EACH OTHER ENOUGH TO CREATE A BEAUTFUL LIFE. I cant stay sitting. I crawl over towards you and kiss you all over your head and cheeks. I do this so often Owen will say CHEEKS, MOMMY and I will kiss you all over and you and owen laugh and laugh.

Owen asks for you every morning. Its the first thing he requests. When we walk into a store and someone says hello to him, he immediateky shifts the attention to you and introduces you. He loved you. Just remember that, ok?

You have daddy just smitten. You squeal when he enters a room and he cant get to you fast enough. Last night he played with you for a LONG time and he said you laughed the whole time :)

Your grandparents, aunt jess, aunt jen, uncle brian, and uncle brett loved on you TONS last weekend. With your baptism just a few days away I have a strong feeling you are about to be spoiled! I hope people share you because I know EVERYONE wants a piece of your soft, warm, pink-cheeked, sweetness! I know I cant get enough!

love you.

Almost 6 months

Molly bird, what a joy you are! You LOVE the mirror, you love to play, and you love your mama! You say MAMA a lot and I can't hear it enough.

You either sleep on your side or your stomach every night. It takes you about 3 minutes to put yourself to sleep at night which makes things SO easy for us but you still struggle with naps. Maybe it has to do with your brother yelling MOLLY or rubbing your head just as you start...to fall...asleep...!!!!!!

Your giggle is absolutely adorable and I tickle you over and over just to hear a bit of it. Still, no one makes you laugh like Owen.

Your baptism is coming up and you have a BEAUTIFUL dress to wear. I cant wait to show you off. I am SO proud of you.

love, mom

Your first camping trip!

Pink. Soft. Perfection.

SLOW DOWN!

Every day you look bigger. A little longer. You grab toys on the first swipe. You sit up 99% on your own. You jump in your exersaucer when you are excited. You laugh at your brother (he jumps in front of you and you lose your mind!!!) and you squeal in delight. My favorite is when someone is holding you and you want your mama :) You havent reached out - instead you fling your body towards me. If I'm not watching, I suddenly see a fluffy head coming at me! The person holding you breaks a sweat in quickly trying to reign you back in!

At 5 months I have finally figured out your cues. That didnt take long ;p If you want to nurse while I am sitting with you or hold ing you, you will bend your knees and squish down as low as possible all the while flipping to your side. Its pretty smart..and on target! When you want to sleep you will yawn first and wait 10 minutes until you rub your eyes and nuzzle into my chest while doing so. You will go to sleep without nursing first MOST of the time. And I dont mind nursing you to sleep because when I am done (ok ok when YOU are done) I can put you right into the crib and you never fuss. It is AMAZING. You are usually in bed at 9 pm and up at 3 and then at 6. I love it!

Did you notice I said "bed"? You have your own crib now and your very own room. I have decorated it a bit but there is a lot to do. I have been holding back since we are trying to sell the house but your room still needs to be yours :) just as you are ours...

i love you!

Not Feeling Well

You arent feeling very well this week. I cut the wedding reception short on Saturday to come home to you and make sure you were okay. Grandma Beth and Granddad Bob were very concerned because you were croupy. You slept all night with me and though the "bark" is gone, your congestion is just terrible :( I hope you feel better soon, it hurts to see you sick. I wish I could just take it all upon me instead. (i am sick too but i will gladly take on more!) Your brother has an ear infection from these colds too. Hopefully getting out of the house this weekend will clear all of us up.

We are going camping for 4 days in Reed City. This is your first camping trip! We will be sharing a cabin with our friends, the Lowes.

You are quick to smile these days, even in sickness, and have such a sweet giggle. I will do ANYTHING to hear it.

You skin is like silk. I spend atleast an hour during the night just massaging your legs, rubbing your belly and back, and kissing your soft shoulders.

You love when I kiss your cheeks fast and hard enough to make them jiggle - you smile every time.

You weigh 18.5 lbs.

You are the love of my life.

My very best girl in the whole world.

Mom

Your Song:)

I remember hearing this song years ago when it was in a movie. I read these lyrics today and tears flooded my eyes. It is so...YOU! And because your daddy and I have been involved in Darick and Renee's wedding festivities so much, I have weddings on the brain. I imagined your dad and you dancing to this song someday.... wow... I know you will be beautiful and I know you will be happy..and I don't think I could ask for much else. Well, I hope we will be best friends. I am very very close to my mom and I tell her everything. I want to have that with you....always...

love you



Daddy's little girl paints the world with her magic wand
Daddy's little child breathes new life to the morning time for me
Though we're apart, her thoughts follow me
When I come home, Molly smiles with the dawn
Molly smiles, and she radiates the glow around her halo
When she plays, Molly smiles
On a summer day, Molly smiles
A new day, Molly smiles

Daddy's little girl ties a ribbon around my heart
Daddy's little child waves goodbye to the ocean tide that sweeps me
Though we're apart, she's a part of me

Molly smiles with the dawn
Molly smiles and she radiates the glow around her halo
When she plays, Molly smiles
On a summer day, Molly smiles
A new day, Molly smiles

When I come home, Molly smiles with the dawn
Molly smiles and she radiates the glow around her halo
When she plays, Molly smiles
On a summer day, Molly smiles
A new day, Molly smiles

When the days have gone grey,
Nothing's wrong when Molly smiles

Smiles

This morning I started to rub your back to wake you up. Eyes shut. Limbs starting to wiggle and then...smile. Eyes still shut. Rub your back again. Smile. Eyes shut.

I love to know you are happy before you have a second to open your eyes. You are a happy girl and make everyone around you happy. Last night we had the rehearsal dinner for your Unkie D and Auntie Renee and you were SOOOOO good. You laughed and looked and napped and were just so content. You were passed around to atleast 8 different people and you didnt mind one bit. They loved on you and I couldnt have been a prouder mom. I love watching people love on you. seriously. I am proud of my accomplishments but I am most proud of you.

You have been waking up recently around 3 30 am which makes for a hard morning but I know this is just another phase you will work yourself out of. Daddy said he would take night duty the other night and I awoke to you and daddy playing downstairs at 4 30 in the morning. Like REALLY playing. He said you didnt want to sleep. See, I told you that you have him wrapped around your finger already. You caught up on your sleep at daycare soyou didnt get daddy in trouble! haha

You can tripod on your own and can pretty much sit up by yourself but you cant find stability once you wiggle. You grab toys with two hands and bring them to your mouth instantly. You can roll front to back and back to front!!! I was blessed to see both for your "first time". Owen forces you to play with him, sometimes I cant see you in your swing because he has covered you with toys. The way you two look at one another melts my heart.

Your daddy and I love you SO much. Words can never explain how my whole body grows fuzzies all over when I hold you. Molly, when you smile, it is like everything perfect. You are healthy. You are happy. We are blessed.

love, mom

Mother's Day and Molly

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you." ~ Dr. Seuss

What a beautiful day you gave to me :) A card, a smile, a flower, a giggle and a full night's sleep in your own bed!!! You wore your "natural beauty" shirt and your ruffle cropped leggings - so adorable.

I love being your mom. I love you when you squeal in delight. I love your chuckle. I love your bottom lipped pout. I love your fat little fist and the way your hand opens and grabs tightly on my shirt when you nurse. I love watching your little legs spread across and bounce on my lap and you suck quietly. I love that smile when you nurse; I watch you break your latch quickly enough to shoot me this funny little smile and then resume eating. Your eyes almost disappear behind your cheeks when you smile like that. I love that you play in your exerciszer like you've been doing in for years; you turn in circles somehow too which amazes me. I love that you will stare at me for minutes at a time, expressionless, until I smile at you and then you jump and laugh and smile back. I love your fuzzy head. It is very very blonde and very very soft. I love waking up with you and cuddling until we hear Owen call for us and then we drag ourselves to his room - warm and tired. That is, until, Owen yells HI and you laugh and reach for his face. I love that you love your daddy! He picks you up really high and then brings you down to him and you go crazy!!! You legs bend and it looks like you are skydiving :) You have your daddy wrapped around your finger already, believe me. Work it, girl :)

I love you, my daughter. Some day you may find yourself a mother and only then may you find a SLIVER of how I love you.