Two years ago at 11:59 am, tears filled my eyes as we heard "It's a girl," followed by your little lamb cry.
Two years ago, I first counted your ten tiny fingers - complete with one hang nail - and ten little toes on your great big feet.
In the past two years you have gone from sleepy, squishy little newborn, to a happy, friendly toddler.
I look back at times when we struggled to understand your different cries. Were you hungry? Wet? Tired? Now you ask questions, tell me what you want, and say please and thank you.
You make me laugh every single day, even if one (or both) of us is having a hard time. You have taught me patience. I'm still working on it, but I see a big change in myself from two short years ago. You have taught me to enjoy the small things. It is amazing to watch you experience such pure joy over the tiniest things. I love seeing you experience everything for the very first time. You remind me to stop and smell the roses; to take a big deep breath and enjoy these special moments with my little girl in this great big world.
I love watching you perch yourself in the west window every morning and afternoon, watching the school buses drive by, and kids walking to class. I love listening to your baby babbles as you wake up in the morning and after nap, then seeing your face light up when you realize Mama or Dada has come to get you from your crib. I love hearing your silly laugh, and learning what you find humourous. I love when we ask you to do something you don't want to do, and you close your eyes, curl up, and pretend to go to sleep. I love that you say "Wow" when you sneeze, and "Achoo" when anyone else does. I love when you run into your room, grab more books than you can carry, and throw yourself into my lap, asking to hear the stories over and over. I love your enthusiastic counting "One TWO! TWO! Five! Two! TWOOOO!" I love how much you love the great outdoors. Most of all, I love watching you when Daddy comes home after four days away at work. Nothing warms my heart more than the man I love with his little girl.
Being a mom is the hardest, most amazing experience I ever could have imagined. It's so rewarding and fun, but it's also exhausting, and a challenge at times. It's a learning process for all of us, and I can't wait to see what life brings us in this next year.
I love you more than you will ever know. Daddy too. You will always be Daddy's girl.
Happy 2nd birthday, baby girl.
