Letter to my Little Lady on her 2nd Birthday

My sweet Little Lady is turning two on Sunday. Here is my birthday love letter to her:

Dear Little Lady,
Happy Birthday my Love! How did these two years pass already? My sweet girl, I have so much to say for you. And so many hopes for you. Do you know that? I think that you do.
After your brothers I thought our family was complete. I didn't think I wanted any more babies. And then, out of nowhere, I knew I wanted another one. Two months later, I found out that you were growing inside of me. What joy I felt!
My pregnancy with you was full of emotional ups and downs. Far more than with your brothers, but I still cherished growing you inside of me.

Photo by Rebecca Staley

The day you were born was one of the happiest days of my life. It was also one of the scariest, and most exhausting days.We didn't know it while I was pregnant with you, but after you were born, the staff told us that "there's something wrong with her legs". I had no idea what that meant, but I knew that they just took my baby girl to the NICU. What a blessing that you weren't there very long, and you were able to come home with us. It felt like forever before we started to get some answers about your condition.

 We have some answers, but we still have so much to find out. Mostly, the scariness is gone. Mostly.
Being your mommy is hard work. Not because you are a hard child. Your sweet disposition and sunny smile fill my heart. The hard part is all of the appointments, and therapies, and putting you through so much. I wish that you were able to just enjoy being a baby toddler. On those days when we're rushing from physical and occupational therapy, to some Dr, and missing naps and getting cranky... what I wouldn't give to just be able to take you to the park and play any time we want. But you handle it with such grace. Never in my life would I have thought that I'd be saying a two year old handled things with grace, until you.
The love, the bond that I have with you... it's different than what I have with your big brothers. Is it because you're the only girl? Because of your special needs? Because you are my youngest? A combination of those, I think. It's not that I love you more than them. But it is indeed very different... so hard to explain.

Photography by Allison Hays

Photography by Rosa Moore with Moore Photography

Photo by Rosa Moore @ Moore Photography

I jokingly tell people that you are my sidekick or my partner in crime. I don't mind spending so much time with you. I love it, actually. I look forward to so many more years of it. I hope that you will always feel the same way.
You stole my heart Little Lady. I never even knew that I wanted a little girl, until I had you. Now I can't imagine life without you.
I'm so proud of you. I am proud of how happy you are all the time. I am proud of how long and how hard you work to learn and do new things.
I am just so glad that you are mine.
You help me appreciate the little things. You help me remember what's really important.
You make me smile, laugh, cry, scream, and fight. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Happy Birthday my sweet little girl. Thank you for being you.
Love Always,
Mommy