Letters to Emmalyn - You're two!

Dear Emma,

You are two...where did my baby go!? You are so big and so little all at the same time. I can't believe all you have accomplished in these two short years, it is incredible. Watching you grow has been my greatest joy. You have gone from a tiny little babe to a walking, running, dancing, talking, and singing little lady.  You are a serious a lot but when that smile beams it sure beams bright. You have big feelings, big opinions of what you want to do (not surprising since you come from a long line of strong women) and a big voice. I hear you my girl, I hear you...I hear you belting the birthday song from your belly, I hear you running after the dogs saying "no barking at lady Frankie", I hear you in the morning saying "wake up Mommy, wake up Dadoo, wake up sun." I hear you when you are silent too with that thumb in your mouth and reaching your little hands up in the air saying "hold you Mommy." I want to hold on to this age forever...but I know its only mine for a short time. Thank you for choosing me as your Mommy, I would choose you everyday over and over a million times.

I love you baby girl, Happy 2nd Birthday xoxo Mommy

Two year old fun facts: 1. What you love the most right now: Your baby dolls (strollering them, changing them, singing to them), your purse (or Grammy's purse), reading, singing. 2. Favorite food right now: you would live off bread & cheese if I let you. 3. Your favorite saying right now: "sit down Mommy" - I hear this all day long. 4. Favorite color: Every color is blue when we ask you 5. You are 27lbs and 35in high. 6. Favorite song: Wheels on the bus, E-i-e-i-o, Happy birthday

Letters to Emmalyn - Half a year

Half a year has already flown by -- a collaboration of long days and short months that if I blink are gone. I'm trying to savor every moment & drink in every bit of you, your smell, your littleness, your curiosity, it is all so unbelievable. I kiss your cheeks at least a hundred times a day and I'm reminded that its going so fast.  I still can remember the newborn days and yet I can't all at the same time. You are six months old and these are the days that are filled with your sweet baby babble of dadadada, watching you reach for things that interest you, sitting up by yourself, trying solid foods, and letting out giggles of infectious laughter that fill my soul to the very top. You have brought us such incredible joy (fitting that its your middle name) and when strangers used to pass by that was all they did until we had you, now they stop and also get a bit of that joy.  I hope you know how loved you are and I hope you always have that smile to share. 

Love you so much baby girl and have such immense gratitude that you are ours.

xo Mommy