I know I am late in posting this (as usual). As you get older, you will realize being late is one of my many quirks (and Nana’s too).
My Dearest Emily,
Another year has passed, and I cannot help but sit back and contemplate all the things you have done in that time. Over the past year, I have watched you transform into a little girl. Gone is the toddler with unsteady feet and words. Instead, in her place is a child who is well articulated and steady. You have blossomed over this last year. You can count to 30, you are beginning to put letters together to spell words, and your vocabulary has increased dramatically. Never did I think that my 4-year old would look at me and say “That is correct, Mother”.
On your birthday, you asked to go to the Mac store to play Dora. The Mac store! You are more like your father every day.
You take great pride in picking out your own clothes. You always have a counterargument ready when your mother tries to modify what you have picked out. “But Mom, they both have flowers! They match!”
You love all things pink and purple. You love wearing dresses and playing dress up. You love to sing and talk all day. You love fairies and princesses with abandon.
Your favorite shows are Dora and Jake and the Neverland Pirates.
You love drawing and cutting and all things art, even when you yourself are the canvas.
You are quite the mother hen in your class with all children smaller than you, regardless of their age.
You went to the dentist for the first time and had your first real birthday party with friends.
Your best friends are Tori, Taylor, and Mackenzie at daycare. Liza, Sonja, and Phoebe are never far from your mind though when not at school.
You love your teachers Mrs. Grant and Mrs. Ana at daycare. There is much wailing and gnashing of teeth should either of them dare to take a personal day. And you consistently call me Mrs. Ana at home, almost as much as you call me mom.
You call me Mother, M-o-m, Mama, and Mommy depending on your mood and if I’ve done anything to aggravate you. Sometimes it is accompanied with an eye roll or two.
This year we began hearing “You just don’t understand”, “It’s not fair”, and “Leave me alone! You’re aggravating me!”
You made your first snow angel and had your first snowball fight. You managed to dump tons of snow down Mommy’s back.
You had your first dance recital; it was 15 minutes long and you refused to wear your tap shoes. At the break, while all the other little girls were changing into their ballet shoes, you skipped around in circles becoming the star of the show.
You begged to be in ‘yogurt’ classes because your best friends were doing so. You seemed to really love yoga and continually ask if it is yoga day.
I look at you and am continually amazed at the little person you have become. Your personality has really bloomed and you have opinions about everything! You are stubborn and strong-willed, but you get that honest. My mom was right; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Your beautiful curly red hair and blue-green eyes catch the attention of everyone around us. We can’t go anywhere without someone complimenting you on your hair and how cute you are. Then you smile and shyly hide your face. You don’t hesitate to let someone know you like their shoes or clothes. You even compliment women on their painted toe nails. I can already tell you are going to be the death of us when you are a teenager. But we wouldn’t trade it for the world.
You capture the hearts of all you meet, strangers and loved ones alike. We are very lucky to have you. And while we may get mad and cranky, as most parents are apt to do, remember this: we’ll love you forever, we’ll like you for always, Aa long as we’re living our baby you’ll be.
…our baby, our little girl, our Emily.
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