for my sweetest girl

baby girl...today is your 4th birthday!  i. can. not. believe.  it.  i can still remember the most remote details about when you were a baby, like how i used to lay you in my lap each morning instead of letting you sleep in your cradle just so i could look at you while i got ready...seems like that was just yesterday.  you still like to sit in my lap, even though you barely fit!, and help me put on my makeup on the weekends.  you even have your own (real) makeup brushes to use, which should not surprise anyone since you are the girliest of little girls. 

6 months

you were always the easiest, sweetest baby.  i'd like to say you still are, but that may not be entirely true.  if i said it today, i'd have to add the disclaimer, "when you want to be." :) and that is just fine with me because when you aren't being the easiest and sweetest baby, it's only because you are so strong-willed, determined, and independent...qualities that will make you successful in life.  to balance all this strength, you also have the most delicate of feelings and a huge heart.  i can tell when your feelings get hurt, even if you don't say anything.  but you are quick to forgive, and you are considerate not to hurt others in the same way.  (e.g., you always include your friends and never like to leave anyone out). 

9 months

emily, you have a wonderful imagination and love to play school (you are always the teacher).  you also love to draw, color, then cut out your picture.  making jewelry and doing crafts is something else you never tire of.  your favorite crafts include anything with glitter stickers and jewels.  oh, and glue!  i think you think that glue is for big girls so you love to tell me you know how to use it.  you have learned early that you can never have too much bling!  you are still obsessed with your baby dolls, but now you like to change their clothes and do their hair instead of just checking to see if their pompas are dirty.  you like music and singing and know exactly how to pose for a picture.  as outgoing and full of personality as you are, you are incredibly shy and rarely enjoy being the center of attention. 



18 months

you are about 39 lbs (75th %) and 40 inches (40th %).  when you went to the doctor for your 4 yr check, you had your blood pressure taken and passed your vision and hearing tests.  you also got 4 vaccinations that you did not like at all.  in fact, over the next 2 days, any time you were tired or upset, you'd blame it on your shots and act like your legs were broken, lol.  you wear a size 4t and a size 10 shoe.  you consider your outfit incomplete without a bow or headband and that makes me very proud :).  often times, you find it necessary to add a necklace, ring, and/or purse before you leave the house. 



4 years old with so much personality!

i often wonder how i could be so blessed to have been given you.  of all the babies god could have made and given to me, he made and gave me you.  i like to think i got his best work :).  i could not have dreamt up a more perfect baby for myself.  and just when i think there is no way i could ever love you more, i look at your smile and realize, i was wrong.  being your mommy is still my most favorite thing in the world. 

my sweetest girl 

i don't know that you will ever know just how much you mean to me, how much joy you've brought to me, how proud i am of you, and how much i absolutely love and adore you.  but trust me when i say that to the moon and back barely does the amount justice.  i love the little girl you're becoming and can't wait to see what else you have in store for me.   happy 4th birthday, emily kate!  xoxo!

i love you so, so much,

mommy

*ps- i know i said "i" a lot.  but this is my letter to you so i'm allowed.  if your daddy was the letter-writing type, i'm sure he would say the same things.  only in a less eloquent manner :).  because he is a boy.  and boys are like that ;).