Happy Birthday,
Janessa Raylene. . .
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| Two -years-old today. |
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| One-year-old |
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| 2009 |
As is my birthday tradition for each of my kids, here is an excerpt from the letter I've written her.
My Sweet "Ray" of Joy,
How is it possible that you are turning two today?
You are the last baby this body birthed and I am so happy that God's plan for me included you!
My baby bird. 6 lbs 1 oz--a small bundle but full of so much love!
My baby bird. 6 lbs 1 oz--a small bundle but full of so much love!
This last year has been such an incredible blessing with you!
You are out of your brace now and it looks like your hips are doing well!
You run and climb and jump on the bed like a little monkey.
You moved into your twin bed at fifteen months because you climbed out of your crib one too many times and I was afraid you would hurt yourself!
How you have caught up to the physical abilities of your siblings--despite your harness and brace amazes me.
Your determination and strong will is evident in that you didn't let your physical limitations slow you down and you have been known to throw yourself on the floor in a fit of being told no over something you want.
No other child of mine has had this kind of sheer determination ingrained in them as you do!
Temper tantrums are new for me.
This is one phase I hope passes quickly.
On a positive note,
you potty trained at twenty-two months and I can not get over the little girl you are becoming!
You are out of your brace now and it looks like your hips are doing well!
You run and climb and jump on the bed like a little monkey.
You moved into your twin bed at fifteen months because you climbed out of your crib one too many times and I was afraid you would hurt yourself!
How you have caught up to the physical abilities of your siblings--despite your harness and brace amazes me.
Your determination and strong will is evident in that you didn't let your physical limitations slow you down and you have been known to throw yourself on the floor in a fit of being told no over something you want.
No other child of mine has had this kind of sheer determination ingrained in them as you do!
Temper tantrums are new for me.
This is one phase I hope passes quickly.
On a positive note,
you potty trained at twenty-two months and I can not get over the little girl you are becoming!
You share a room with your sister and listen to your bible songs as you drift off to sleep.
You now have learned to fold your hands at prayer time and pause long enough for us to pray aloud.
Daddy and I smile brightly each time we see you do this--you have learned from the simple traditions we try to instil daily...such a sponge!
You are not as much of a chatterbox as your sister, nor are you as quiet as your brother.
But you are coming into your own and communicating your wants and needs as you see fit.
You make a lot of noise now and I wish I knew what your were saying. . .but I will eventually.
Sweet one, I hope our conversations are rich and meaningful and filled with love and encouragement through the years.
I can't wait--but I can.
I have a hard time imagining this life with you not being my baby.
You are not a parrot--you repeat what you want, when you want--which again, says a lot about your strong will.
I love hearing you say, "peez. . .." I also love that when I try to get you to say, "thank you," you don't even try--you just nod your heard up and down.
You understand what we say to you.
You follow directions quite nicely (when you want to) and you love playing outside, especially at the park.
Lamby is your best buddy.
Grandma had to sew its arms back on for reinforcement.
You love the little lamb.
You are cuddly and loving and sweet dimple faced with your curious curls popping out all over your head. . .
you are the closest in resemblance to me--but I see so much of daddy and your sister in you too!
You helped me so much when I went through a hard time at work.
The month that I was home was filled with snuggles and cuddles and music and you needed nothing from me except love.
You are so easy to give that to. . .
(to be continued for her eyes only. . . )
But you are coming into your own and communicating your wants and needs as you see fit.
You make a lot of noise now and I wish I knew what your were saying. . .but I will eventually.
Sweet one, I hope our conversations are rich and meaningful and filled with love and encouragement through the years.
I can't wait--but I can.
I have a hard time imagining this life with you not being my baby.
You are not a parrot--you repeat what you want, when you want--which again, says a lot about your strong will.
I love hearing you say, "peez. . .." I also love that when I try to get you to say, "thank you," you don't even try--you just nod your heard up and down.
You understand what we say to you.
You follow directions quite nicely (when you want to) and you love playing outside, especially at the park.
Lamby is your best buddy.
Grandma had to sew its arms back on for reinforcement.
You love the little lamb.
You are cuddly and loving and sweet dimple faced with your curious curls popping out all over your head. . .
you are the closest in resemblance to me--but I see so much of daddy and your sister in you too!
You helped me so much when I went through a hard time at work.
The month that I was home was filled with snuggles and cuddles and music and you needed nothing from me except love.
You are so easy to give that to. . .
(to be continued for her eyes only. . . )
i know i'm a couple days late, but happy birthday to your sweet girl! this letter is precious. i love it :) what a sweet mama you are :) xoxo!
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