To My First Little Love

My Little R,

You have been my first little love.

You were my first newborn snuggle, my first night home with a baby, my first up all night with a baby, my first baby smile, my first baby cry, my first baby spit-up everywhere--just everywhere, my first first word, my first toddler walk, my first toddler conversation, my first child to say the phrase, "Mommy, I need you!"

For all of this, I can never thank you enough. Your spirit lifts me up every day and your smile brings a smile to the world surrounding you.

You are a one of a kind! Until, of course, your brother is born, when there will be two of you stinkers keeping me up all night, both tugging at my sleeve shouting, "Mommy, I need you!"

So, for now, I thought I should write down your little quirks that make me smile, because pretty soon life will get in the way and these moments will slip by with little notice.

I love the way you say "I love you." It comes as a surprise most the time. You'll randomly state (without any prompting), "Mommy, I love you too!" or "Mommy, I love you so much!"

I love the way you always "know." In fact, just this morning I said, "I love apple slices, R!"

And you replied, "I know you do, Mommy!"

I love the way you surprise me with whatever is on your mind when I come to you after you wake. This morning, I walked into your room to the sound of a high pitched hisssssssssing. You sat in the middle of your crib with a cheesy grin on your face. "Mommy, I'm a snake! Mommy be a snake too?" Of course kid, any day for you!

I both love and hate your independent spirit. Everything we do, YOU have to do it. This makes me both extremely proud and impatient at the same time. Tasks that should be quick and easy now take an extra 20 minutes. Over and over again I have to tell myself to slow down, why rush?

I love the way your mind works! You've recently become the best at staying up later and later-- you really milk it girl. Oh, you can;t to bed without a long hug and kiss session? Ok. Oh, you need the same from Daddy? Ok, Oh, you need a hug from both of us at the same time. Ok. "I love you guys!" you'll shout! Oh, you need a different blankie? And the list goes on...

I love all the silly things you say and do! This includes your statement, "Mommy, I'm being silly!" Daddy loves that your silliest just before bed. You dance and wiggle and run and climb, girl, you're silly machine sometimes!

I love the way you love to sing. And I don't mean those simple children's songs, I mean your songs, the songs you know all the words to (and you really do know all the words, kid, at two years and some change).

Here's some of your favorites:
"How Far I'll Go" - Moana
"You're Welcome" - Moana
"Let it Go" - Frozen
"Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" - Frozen
"Hello" - Trolls
"Get Back Up Again" - Tolls
"Ba Ba Ba" - Minions Movie (It's the opening intro)
"Mother Knows Best" - Tangled
"Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da" - Originally from a movie I can not name
"I Want to Be Like You" - Jungle Book

I'm sure there's more, kiddo, you really love your songs.

Lastly, I love the way you love your baby brother. You'll walk up to me, with a twinkle in your eye, lay your head on my stomach and declare, "I love you Baby D!" A few days ago, you had me change your baby doll into his clothes, lay out his floor blankie, and read to the dollie who is now named "Baby Brother". You're a great big sister already!

So here's to you, my no longer "Only Child." I love who you are and who you will become. Keep a watchful eye on your baby brother, little one. He'll be your first baby smile, your first baby cry, and so on....

Love,

Mommy