Dear Annelise,
Today you are two. I guess that means that you are officially not a baby anymore, although you might as well get used to the fact that you’ll always be my baby.
It’s strange to me to think that your brothers were both your age when they became big brothers. You seem so little to me, even though I know it’s just because you’re the youngest and we haven’t been prepping you to become a big sister for the past nine months.
Despite how little you seem, you have grown so much this year:
Physically, your baby fat has melted away as you’ve become increasingly mobile. Your peach fuzz is beginning to grow into a half-hearted mullet. I hope it will continue to thicken up as the months go by, although when I put it in two tiny pigtails, it’s just about the cutest thing on earth.
Mentally, you are learning numbers, letters, colors, and shapes. Every day you have new words to say (and boy do you talk. Non-stop!). Just the other day you realized that you were misusing a pronoun and instead of saying, “Caa-ee oo” (carry you) when you wanted me to pick you up, you said, “Caa-ee oo me.” (carry you me). You tried several times to get rid of the ‘oo’ in there, but old habits die hard. I was so proud of you, but a little sad too, kind of like when Eli stopped calling pianos pianios.
Emotionally, wow. I don’t know where to start. First of all, I’ll say that you have a lot of emotions. One moment you’re laughing hysterically, the next you’re face down on the floor in a full-blown meltdown. You are happy, sad, angry, annoyed, excited, and all of those can show up in a five minute period. You are helpful beyond anything I’ve ever witnessed in your brothers (shh, don’t tell them I said that!). You willingly clean up your toys, you help me unload the dishwasher, you love to bring the boys their juice cups in the morning.
The thing that amazes me most though, is your empathy. It blows my mind that such a young person is so in tune with the feelings of others. It doesn’t matter if someone is hurt, sad, or crying, you immediately notice and show concern. “Mummy, Sammy okay?”, you’ll ask, big blue eyes searching mine for reassurance. Or you’ll bypass me entirely and run right to the source to offer a hug or assistance. I can only imagine if you are this way now how much more that quality will develop over the years.
You are the perfect blend of girly girl and tomboy. You love clothes, shoes, and accessories, but you also find farting noises hysterical and you’re already learning how to make moose calls for future daddy/daughter hunting trips.
I so enjoy spending time with you and I’m looking forward to many more moments of fun. You are not only my daughter, you are my friend.
I love you. Happy birthday.
Love, Mommy
