Outside Looking In

Avery,

Today you are 2.

And I know it's cliche to say that you have changed my life forever. But, baby girl, you HAVE changed my life. I don't know where I would be without you. Frankly, I bet it would suck.

I get a little weepy when I think about your birthday. And I've shed a few tears already, 7 sentences into this letter. But I'm not sad. Sure I miss the days when you were a tiny newborn, or when you first learned to walk, or your first words. I'm weepy because I'm so PROUD of you. Sometimes I just look at you and I'm positive I can feel my heart explode into a million tiny pieces.

You are the smartest, funniest, coolest girl I know. You say so many things. You continue to amaze me everyday with just how much you understand the world around you. You can count to five, almost ten, and say so many things in Spanish. You remember what things are even though I have only told you one time. I'm still amazed every time you point out a school bus. You're little dances and songs have me in stitches every day.

Baby, as much as this is a celebration for you, it is for me too. I did it. WE did it. Two years ago I wasn't sure how I was going to raise a baby on my own. I wasn't sure how I was going to do ALL the night feedings and diaper changes AND work all day (then all night). Raising a newborn AND working full time AND managing a home? Forget about it. But, here we are two years later. And not only have we succeeded, we are doing AWESOME! Sometimes we lose our patience with each other and get angry at each other, but we also have the most fun together.

Our quiet evenings at home are my favorite. It absolutely melts my heart when you climb on my lap with your blankie and ask to "snuggle buggle". I die from the cuteness when you say "aaaahhhh-men" every night after our bedtime prayers. I love that even though you are a big girl and like to do things yourself you still run to mommy when you are scared or unsure. I love kissing your "booboos" and "bonks" and I love the game we play every time we get in the car to leave.

Happy Birthday, my little adventurer. I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us.



Love,
Mommy