To My Sophie on Her 2nd Birthday

Sophia Diane a few hours after her birth. She was being held by her cousin Emily for the first time.

My Sophie girl,
Happy Birthday baby! I can’t believe you are two. It makes me sad because you are growing too fast! Knowing that there are so many moments with you that I will never get to have again makes me a little teary-eyed. But then I think about all the great times we are going to have as you get older and I know the best is yet to come. I love you, little girl.

I remember the first time I saw you, all gooey and fresh out of my belly. I was so happy that you had a lot of hair. I just knew you would have a bunch! Then they whisked you off to clean you up and I tried to watch but it was hard to see from where I was laying on the operating table. So your Daddy kept an eye on you for me, and after just a couple of minutes they brought you to me so we could have a little face time.

You were so beautiful. I’d say it was love at first sight but I loved you from the moment I knew you were growing inside me. Maybe adoration at first sight is a better thing to say. You had me at “waaah!”

Your first two years have been crazy. I should have known they would be crazy when your hair started sticking up straight when you were two weeks old and did so until you were six months old!

More craziness ensued with all the crying and the not-sleeping and the constant nursing and then the getting into everything and doing everything rascally that your brother DIDN’T do to me. I am sure I will have to pay lots of therapy bills because I know you have heard me say, “Joshua never did that to me!” too many times. But believe me baby girl, I love you with all my heart – just as you are. Craziness, stubbornness, and melodrama – all of it. You are just who God made you to be and there is nothing you could ever do to make me love you less.

One thing you have made very clear to me your first two years is that you love me. I know you need me, but I also know you love me. For awhile I was afraid you’d love me less after we stopped nursing, but you’ve proved that isn’t the case. I love that even when we are parted just a few minutes, you welcome me back with a hug and an “Eyeluhyoooo” and many repeated “Aww”s. You are a sweet, sweet sweetheart, and I’m so glad you’re sweet on me. I’m pretty sweet on you, too, girl.

I promise I’ll always do my best to be the best Mommy I can be to you. I will most likely fall short of that over and over but even when I do I will start fresh and keep trying to be the Mom that God wants me to be. I love you, angel girl. I’ll always be so thankful that you’re mine.

But could you maybe throw me a bone and slow down this growing up thing just a little bit?

Hugs and kisses,

Mommy

Sophia Diane, two years old, (wearing an outfit that used to be Kate’s!)