One and Done!

Dear Katie,

I am several days late on posting about you turning 2, but rest assured I have good reason. We spent your whole birthday playing together as a family (next post) and had an absolute blast soaking you up! Then, on your first full day of being 2, you were sicker than you've ever been. You threw up for the first time and ran a high fever all day long. I couldn't wait to get home and just snuggle with you (even though you wanted to be left alone). On Tuesday, I was plumb exhausted from the fun on Sunday and work on Monday so I just rested. Now, it's Wednesday and I've had a lot of time to think about what to write to you for your two year birthday but words still seem to fail to convey how I feel about this milestone.

I find it hard to believe 2 years has gone by since you were born, let alone even one year since you turned one. But "they" are right and time really does fly by. At the same time that time has whizzed by us, I can't remember life before you and I don't want to. You make me look at life differently now that I am your mom. I want the world to be a better place for you and because of you.

There's so much that I wanted to do with you this year that just never happened. It's a good thing we have the rest of our lives to do them though! But if you're old enough to read this and we haven't gone to a "make your own pottery" place or fingerpainted together or wore raincoats and boots to run through the sprinkler, then let's stop what we're doing and do whichever thing you want!

I think back to all the firsts that happened this year - especially after thinking that all the big "firsts" were over after you turned one. You had your first major boo-boo and your chin still bears the scar of that fall on the living room floor. You had your first taste of soda, chocolate, and bacon and chocolate is the only one you wanted more of!

Your personality seems to blossom everyday. Your expressions are priceless and your eyes could write their own language! Your timidity about many things is so precious to me because it's those timid moments when you lose your independent will and seek help from daddy and me.

You know exactly how to get your way and dad and I are learning that you know that! What mother turns down a child who wants to "read" - even if we've read 15 books before bed and it's 30 minutes past bedtime. What mother turns down a child who wants "fruit" even when it's her 4th snack right before dinner.

I think about you all the time and try to picture what you're doing when I'm not with you. I love coming home and seeing your eyes light up that first moment when you see me (it quickly fades to a question of when daddy will be home). I love to watch you color and wonder what's going through your head at the moment while your tongue is partially stuck out and your eyes are incredibly focused.

I think about when you'll say your first sentence. I think about what you'll want to be when you grow up. I think about what things will inspire you and what things will challenge you. I think about what the Lord will call you to do as you grow into your own and how you will respond. I think about what you'll look like on your real first day of school and try not to think about your last day of school, because as I've seen these last 2 years, time really does fly. And I could spend all my days thinking about your future and being consumed by it, but I know I must live in the moment of now. Live in the moment of being a mom to a precious 2 year old who surprises me every single day. Surprises me by filling me a love that I never knew was possible. It's crazy momma love - love that will never fail or cease no matter what.

So for now, as the list of things I have to do seems to grow with each passing day, be confident that being the best mom I can be will remain at the top of that list always!

I love you Katie bug! -Mommy