Baby girl,
It took me an unreasonable amount of time to decide how to start this letter. You are no longer a baby….so far from one….but in my heart you will always be my baby. Each birthday you celebrate becomes more and more bittersweet for me. You are growing and changing so fast. I could never have imagined 4yrs ago when I saw your sweet face for the first time what an amazing little girl you would become. You were a mommas girl from that first day, you hated anyone else trying to hold or play with you! How did you grow into this confident, outgoing, ball of energy?! You are so open and always on the lookout for your next “best friend”. The first thing you do when arriving at a playground or any place with kids is scan the area for someone to play with. We always joke that you think all humans were placed on this Earth to be your friend. You amaze me with your confidence.
You finished up your first year of preschool and you rocked it just like I knew you would! Watching you write your name, draw actual pictures, and show off the social skills you gained is awesome. This was the first year that you made actual friends and real relationships with kiddos….you took a small step out of our little nest and while it makes my heart hurt a little I want to explode with pride!
This parenting thing is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and you are my poor little guinea pig. Most days I go to bed feeling bad about those times I’ve raised my voice to you (and there were a lot of those times….your threes were not that easy!!) š Ā and wondering if I’m doing the best I can for you, but then I stand back and watch you and realize thatĀ something must be working because you areĀ becoming such an amazing little person!
As a new 4yr old you:
– Can write your name and are showing lots of interest in learning to read (though I have no idea how to help with that!!)
– Are obsessed with everything Frozen….just like every single preschooler in America š
– Love musicals and broadway! Broadway showtunes is the only Pandora station we listen too and you love to watch scenes from shows on youtube. I cannot wait to take you to your first show!
– Learned that while you get stage fright singing or dancing in front of people you LOVE being on stage! Once those lights go on and “shield” you from the audience you shine!
– Will sit and eat a plate full of tomatoes and carrots. Sometimes I wonder if you really are my child š
– Balance out your veggie eating self with a love of anything ice cream or cake related!
– Can spend 4hrs at the bounce house going crazy with friends…..and still have energy!
– Have added a few more countries to your passport! You have been to 9 countries (a few of those more than once!!). You are always asking about when we are going on vacation….your daddy fears having two females with the travel bug! haha!
– Love dressing up and playing with your dollhouse! I try to keep up but sadly my imagination can’t hold a candle to yours! š
– Are an AMAZING big sister!!! You wake each morning and automatically go searching for your brother. The excitement you two have seeing each other warms my heart. You do crazy things to make him laugh and always make sure to introduce him to the kids you meet at the playground (and you demand they say hello to him! haha!). Watching the bond grow between the two of you has been such a privilege.
Once again you had to say goodbye to your daddy. I feared this time since you are such a big girl and would really feel the absence of your daddy. I know you are struggling with understanding and missing him but you have been so brave and amazing. We are so proud of you!Ā We are setting out on another deployment adventure soon (with your little brother towing along!)…..while I hate these times I do cherish the memories I get to make with my favorite little girl!
Every.single.day I think I can not possibly love you any more than I do that day. And every day you prove me wrong. The days are long and crazy but these years are flying by so fast. There are so many moments and memories coming in the future I can’t wait to make…..but I want to grab you right now and freeze you just like this. My innocent little girl who still thinks I am the most amazing person ever. That I can fix anything. I’m cherishing these days since I know soon you will realize the truth š
I love you boo-bah. I love you more than you will ever understand. Your smile makes my day brighter and your laugh can make any day better. No matter how crazy and hard the days are I am so thankful that I get to stay home and watch you grow.
Happy Birthday Harper Jane! XXOOXXOO!