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Dear Isabella,
It's been such a long while since I last wrote you a letter. Things have been hectic and busy with the school year being underway again. But since you are quietly napping comfortably in your pack n' play, I can have a few moments to write you a letter.
I am so exciting to watch all the things you are doing these days. You always amaze me. As I watch you grow, change, mature, and develop, my heart can barely contain all the emotions I have for you. When I see the love you already have for your Daddy and for me, it truly melts my heart. You are such a Daddy's girl and although a small part of me misses the way you always wanted and needed me, I love to watch you play with Daddy, chase him around, and call out his name when you aren't sure where he went. Your face just lights up when he enters the room or comes home from work. You love Daddy so much that you basically kick me out of the house every morning when I'm getting ready for work. As soon as you are in Daddy's arms and Mommy dares to kiss him or you goodbye, you push me away and wave bye-bye to me! How dare I get in the way of your time with Daddy...too cute! I love things like that!
You still cuddle and snuggle with me. That is something I am so grateful for. You don't want to snuggle and cuddle as much, since you're always on the go. But those times when you do want to snuggle and cuddle, like every morning when Mommy is catching up with friends online and you want to catch up with sitting in Mommy's arms...that's a moment I enjoy. I love rocking you to sleep every night. Yes, I know, you really ought to be putting yourself to sleep once I lay you down in your crib, but I wouldn't give up my bedtime nursing and rocking you to sleep for anything! It's just part of the bedtime routine we've established with you.
Now, let's talk about this exploring business. I know you're off and running everywhere, but you need to start listening when we say " no" or even gently smack your hands after saying "no" more than twice. There are certain things that are almost like magnets. I think you must have a magnet in your body that attracts you to the printer, the telephone, the stairs, the dog's food, and anything in the kitchen. I know you like to explore, but you really can't be exploring the things that we've asked you to leave alone. It's just not nice. It's cute to watch you as you explore every nook and cranny of our house.
Back to how Mommy feels about you. I am just so much in love with you. I used to wonder how anyone could say that they love their child more than they have ever loved anyone ever before. I love my Mom, I love your Daddy. I love your Poppy. They are so very important and special to me. I love them dearly. But you, you take a special place in my heart. I know you would have a special place in my heart, no matter how I came to have you and know you. But I waited so long for you that you are beyond special and beyond wanted. You are so loved that my brain can't even find the words to write that would express the amount of love in my heart for you. I waited so long for you to join my life and reshape my world. Now that you are here and have blessed me with your beauty and love, my life has never been the same. For over a year now, my heart has been overwhelmed with such love.
I think you are waking up from your long, late afternoon nap. So for now, I'll wrap up this letter. Just remember that Mommy loves you beyond words. You are a blessing to all who know you. And for those who know the experiences I went through to be your Mommy, you are a blessing and very loved.
Love,
Mom
Dear Isabella,
Last night, you slept through your very first hurricane. It's rare that we actually get a hurricane up here in New Jersey, but we did! It was scary, I won't lie to you about it. Mommy didn't get much sleep last night. I may have slept for about 3 hours. But you? You slept on the air mattress in between Mommy and Daddy. I first had you in your Pack n Play, but when the tornado warnings started, I scooped you up and first went into the closet (we camped out in the basement for the night) and then took you behind the bar.
Oh, honey, it was scary! I hope and pray that when you are a mom, you never have to fear a storm like that. There were so many tornado warnings in the area for three hours. We thankfully never got anything like that. The Lord protected us, for sure. It's been windy, and of course, it's been windy enough that a piece of siding fell from one of the homes in our unit, but we're still not sure if it's from our home or a neighbor's home. The trees are still standing (for now) and I'm praying that the Lord continues to protect us as we go through the rest of the day with the tail end of Irene the Beast.
Mommy is so glad that you slept through the storm. You were restless at times, but Mommy wasn't asleep anyway, so it was okay last night. I can't even begin to tell you how it feels to hear the warning messages on the TV for a tornado, pray that you don't lose power, scoop a baby up, and go hide somewhere safe. I was very fearful of what Irene had to offer us, none of the things we would ever want. I never want you to experience a night with that many scary tornadoes touching down everywhere. I have never experienced that before last night, and I really would prefer to never experience that again.
This morning, the flooding is insane. They knew all along that the flooding would be the main problem. I am thankful that we got less rain that originally predicted, but it's not a whole lot less and many roads are flooded. Mom-Mom and Poppy still have electricity, but the basement has flooded. Aunt Peggy is by a river, but they did open the flood gates, so hopefully, the river will not rise above flood stage, since she chose to stay home. But only God knows what will happen!!
Oh, Isabella, I am just so glad we were able to buy a home that has been our safe place, our refuge. It has kept us safe thus far, God will continue to watch over us. Right now, you are sleeping on Daddy's chest and it's just a beautiful thing. It's a picture of peace after the storm. I love you very much!
Love,
Mom
Dear Isabella,
I find myself watching you in awe each day. I am just amazed at your curiosity. You are my little adventure seeker. You are always trying to discover what is new, what the room, the world has to offer you. You certainly are a joy to watch, as you amuse yourself with every new thing you find.
In the past year, I have watched you go from this little baby who fit so nicely cradled into the crook of my elbow to a big girl who is almost walking on her own and sleeps on Mommy like a big girl would. I've watched you go from the little newborn nursling who would fall asleep at Mommy's breast to the toddler nursling who is so distracted by anything and everything that you need soft music and a soft blanket to really get a good feeding session going. I've watched you go from the little baby who would laugh and smile when Mommy laughed and smiled to the big girl who laughs at The Wonderpets and smiles when she finds a "lost" crunchy on the floor. I've watched you go from the baby who we could lay in her swing and let her sleep to the baby who wants to stand at the coffee table and walk around it to see what's good on the other side. So many changes!
In one year's time, you have 6 teeth, long and tan legs, beautiful blue eyes than never did get darker, and a smile than can melt anyone's heart. You have learned to talk and you have your set vocabulary right now. It's always exciting to hear you say another new word. You have temper tantrums that could rival any two year old's tantrums. That could be bad news for later on down the road, but we'll get there when we get there.
One year, 365 days, seems like a lifetime. Yet, your birthday came and went and you are no longer counting your age in months.
You spent your birthday grumpy and clingy, but with getting over the ear infection, being on the Augmentin, and all the hustle and bustle around here, I don't blame you for the clingy nature. You're still a bit clingy, but not as much. It's nice when you give Mommy a break, even if it's just to write a quick letter on here to you and then go back to playing with you. Your birthday on Thursday was nice. Your Poppy made you a very nice cake (okay, it was for Mommy, too, since I didn't get a birthday cake from Mom-Mom and Poppy this year and he makes GREAT cakes!). You loved it so much that you stole a layer of it off of Mommy's plate and shoved it in your mouth! You really seemed to enjoy that cake. You got many nice presents on Thursday, and it was just a nice family time together.
We celebrated your birthday again on Saturday with a big party. You really are a special little girl and we are blessed to have so many friends who came out to share with us in such a special occasion. For as long as we waited for you to greet us in the world, it's exciting to watch you grow up. But you greeted all of your friends and family with your grumpiness. Yes, Queen Fussypants was in the house for the party. You refused to go to anyone else and you refused to eat your food in your high chair unless Mommy sat right next to you. Mommy couldn't even get the party prepped. I am so thankful for your Grandma, Auntie Olivia, Auntie Mandy (we also call her Aunt DeeDee), Mom-Mom, and Daddy. They did so much to get everything ready while Mommy held you so you could take a short nap.
Your party was nice, you did eventually have a good time, even if you refused to let anyone else hold you. You looked adorable in your little tutu and I'm just so glad we were able to share with so many people.
Now, as you move on to your second year of life, I wonder what new adventures are in store for you! I'll be waiting and watching for all the exciting adventures to come!
Love,
Mommy
My Dearest Isabella Joy,
Today, you turn 1. It's amazing to look at you today and realize how much you have grown and changed over the past year. Every milestone you reach and every new experience that delights you puts a smile on my face. I just love to watch you explore. There is so much for you to explore these days. You're intrigued by everything. Yet, just one short year ago, you were a beautiful, healthy, newborn baby asleep in my arms. A year has brought so much change, so many smiles, and so many tears (good and bad).
You are getting over your 4th ear infection right now, just in time for your birthday. I know they make you miserable, but it's all part of this thing call "teething." You need those teeth, I promise you that it really won't be that bad. Once they are all in, you'll be able to eat so many wonderful things! You just have to suffer through the discomfort of those teeth coming through the gums and the ears that cause you great pains. Those ear infections? That would be a big source of the bad tears. You and Mommy both had a good cry on Sunday. You were feeling so miserable, with your fever and your hurting ears. And there was nothing Mommy could do to help you. Oh, I wanted to. It broke my heart to see you in pain. We both sat and sobbed together until the ear drops numbed the pain for you. Mommy NEVER likes to see you cry. Thankfully, the good doctors gave us some medicine to make your ear infection go away. So you're feeling all better already, just in time for all the birthday celebrations!
So, now that we have the small talk out of the way, let me tell you all about how you have made me feel this past year. There is nothing more joyous and amazing than holding your firstborn child in your arms for the very first time. I cried before I even held you. Since Mommy had to have surgery to have you, I didn't get to hold you right away. But Daddy did and he let me look at you and kiss your sweet face. I cried. Never before had my heart known such love. I didn't think it was possible to love something or someone so much. I had butterflies way down in my tummy and this sense of awe came over me. There you were, perfect, beautiful, mine. Yes, indeed, you were mine. Finally, my dream of becoming a mother had come true. Nothing prepares your heart for that moment. The emotions that fill you up are overwhelming. I'm teary eyed just writing to you about that moment.
It's hard to believe that was one short year ago. A year seems like short time. Yet, in the past year, you have made me love you even more than I thought possible a year ago! My love for you grows each and every day. Just when I thought I couldn't love anymore, I love you even more! My heart melts when you look me in the eyes and say in your soft voice, "Mama, Mama." In the past year, you have made me feel like the mom I always wanted to be. We snuggle (though a lot less than we used to), we cuddle (again a LOT less than we used to), and we play together. Your love for me is evident and that alone makes my heart sing. There is nothing quite like a mom and there is a special kind of relationship between a mother and her daughter. We'll grow into all the good things (and the bad) that come from that relationship as you grow older.
A year. Seems like such a short amount of time. Yet, in a year, you have gone from the fragile, tiny newborn in my arms to the rambunctious, adventurous one year old beauty you are today. All those milestones, all the changes, all the growing in just one short year. It's like a lifetime condensed into 365 days. In that span of time, my life has forever changed. Nothing, no part of me, will ever be the same. You make my life more joyous, you fill it with more laughter, and you make my heart smile more than I ever dreamed possible. I love you more than I ever did before. Happy Birthday, my sweet Isabella Joy!
Love,
Mom
Dear Isabella,
It's been hectic around here as of late. I have not written you nearly as often as I should. And for that, I am sorry. But you keep me busy. You're crawling around everywhere and getting into a bit of trouble if I take my eyes off of you. So instead of writing you letters, I've been down on the floor playing with you. Right now, you are sound asleep on top of the first quilt Mommy ever made. You conked out early tonight, I didn't even have a chance to get you in your pajamas yet!
I find myself getting a little teary-eyed as I think about the fact that we are planning your first birthday party. It's so hard for me to believe that a year ago (almost), I truly became a mom when they placed you in my arms and you looked up at me with your newborn eyes, taking in whatever you could see. You were so tiny, so fragile. You were everything I had ever dreamed of and more. You had ten perfect little fingers and ten perfect little toes. Your clear steely blue eyes were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen (well, maybe next to your daddy's brown eyes). You were so little in my arms and yet so perfect. And now, somehow, a year has flashed before my eyes and I am planning your first party.
You amaze me with all the new things you can say and do. You constantly call out for Daddy. Of course, you also yell at him when you are in trouble or can't get your way. Your response when we say "no" is always "But DADADADADA...DADDY!!!!" It doesn't matter who says "no" to you. That is how you respond. You look straight at your Daddy with those sad little eyes. Let me tell you. Those sad little eyes don't work on your Daddy. Trust me. I know. But I love that you love your Daddy. He is one amazing man, that's for sure. You are one blessed little girl to have him in your life. He's a wonderful daddy. He takes great care of you and does a lot of things (like changing a diaper) that some dads refuse to do. He reads you bedtime stories, he sings to you, he gets on the floor and plays with you. You giggle at him so much. You are so smitten with your daddy. Of course, so am I, so I totally understand that. You have discovered your inner rooster, which is so amusing to me. After our most recent trip to see your Great Grandma an Great Grandpa in Kentucky, you came home crowing like the rooster. Too bad I can never seem to get it on video! You're on the go all the time, crawling everywhere. It's only a matter of time before you are walking. Hard to believe that my little baby is no longer little and no longer a baby. You have become a little girl in the blink of an eye.
I used to chuckle a little when people would always say to enjoy every moment of the first year because it will fly by. I thought "it's a whole year. How fast is a year really going to go?" Little did I know that it really would fly by. It's the most important year in your life, it's when you experience most of your firsts and thankfully, I haven't missed those. But this year has gone by so quickly.
So as your Daddy and I plan your first birthday party (which will be a wonderful celebration!), I just want you to know that I have cherished every moment of this first year. I wouldn't change a thing about it. I'm so blessed to have you as my baby girl. You melt my heart with your snuggles and your baby kisses. My life has been forever changed by your presence in it. I love you, Isabella Joy!
Love,
Mom
Dear Isabella,
You are growing up so quickly. There are days where I wish I could bottle up the first year and keep you in it forever. But I know I just can't do that. Like all good things (wine, cheese, babies), they get better with age. You are so different than you were a few months ago, but you are so amazing. Everything you do is exciting, adventurous, always changing. I love to watch you explore new things, discover your abilities, and venture into new activities. It's exciting as a mom to watch my baby grow up before my eyes. Every moment I get to spend with you is just amazing. I'm so thankful for the time I get to spend with you, especially now that summer is here. I get to spend every moment possible with you and I'm just thrilled about the chance to watch all the firsts you still have in store.
Speaking of firsts! You are closer and closer every day to walking on your own. You love to walk around the house, but you just can't do it on your own. You wait for Mommy or Daddy to take your hands so you can guide us where you want to go. It is always so exciting to watch where you guide us. It's only a matter of time before you take your first steps on your own. And then we better all watch out! You're going to be trouble on two feet!
I just look forward to that day and although I want to keep you as my little baby forever, all things grow and change. That's part of what makes life so exciting. I'll be waiting for those changes as you grow!
Love,
Mom
Dear Isabella,
It is true, you are a Mommy's girl (at least for now). I was always a Mommy's girl myself. I loved to spend time with my mom more than anything else. I'm still a Mommy's girl and I'm almost 32 years old. You're never too old to be a Mommy's girl. I'm very smitten with you and I'm so glad you are smitten with me, too. There is nothing quite like your sweet cuddles, your baby kisses, and your smiles and laughs just for me.
With that said, Izzy, it's time we had a chat. You have made yourself a little too in love with Mommy. You don't like to be held by many other people. You have separation anxiety when I leave to use the bathroom or get a shower. You don't like to fall asleep in my arms and then wake up and realize you are no longer in my arms. All these things lead to the royal diva's tantrum. Really, this needs to stop soon. I try to do nothing to encourage it, but it doesn't matter what I do or how many times we have a chat about it. You just don't listen, you just want Mommy! I'm glad to love me so much that only I can make all the tired tears go away and I'm the only one who can comfort you when someone looks at you wrong (yes, you can be very sensitive when you are sleepy!). But it's time to spread the wealth a little, give your Daddy some of this same love.
Okay, my love, all teasing aside, you are such a joy to have. I never expected to be blessed with a baby as sweet, tender, and loving as you. You snuggle with me. You cuddle with me. You share baby kisses with me. You like to just hang on my arms or rest your head on my legs. You are already so loving and so devoted. There are no words to truly express how it feels to be your Mommy, to be needed, wanted, and loved by you. I wouldn't trade in the middle of the night feeding sessions, the rocking you to sleep, the cuddling/snuggling/hugging away the grumpiness. I love every moment. Ten months of those tender moments and yet, it feels like you've always been right here with me. I guess that's because you've always been in my heart.
Love,
Mom
Dear Isabella,
I have discovered (with some help from Mom-Mom) that you love the outdoors. I always knew you would be an outdoor baby. You just get so excited to be in your stroller and go on walks in the evening with Daddy, Angel, and me. Angel doesn't always like a tag-along when she's on a walk to take care of business, but she can get over it. You are just a little adventurer. There's something about the sunshine and spring flowers that catches your attention, gains giggles, and receives smiles.
My darling, I love that you love being outside. I have a love of nature (not quite the same as your Aunt M. does). I just love to sit in the quietness and peacefulness of nature. Mom-Mom's house is perfect for that. You can watch the horses, sit on the swing (once it gets hung) with Mom-Mom and Poppy, go for a walk around the house or to the back field, and play in the dirt. Being outside is something you will love even more when you learn how to walk without my help. But for now, I enjoy watching you sit in the grass, so intrigued by what you see, the feeling of the grass, the flowers that surround you, and the sounds that you hear. I can only imagine how our spring and summer adventures will be for years to come!
Love,
Mom
Dear Isabella,
It's the evening before Mother's Day and I realized I haven't written a letter to you in a while. I must admit that you do keep me quite busy! But I wouldn't trade a moment of that time spent with you for some time to write a letter on a computer. No, my moments with you mean so much more than sitting here typing a letter. As I write you this letter, you are happily playing in your jumperoo watching Sprout. At least it keeps you entertained so I can have some Mommy time.
The past nine months have so quickly vanished and instead of a little baby who fits so snugly into the crook of my arm, you are a growing, budding little girl who calls out "Mama" and laughs at anything that is funny. I have watched you go from being just a mere dream, a thought of things to come, to a child in my arms in a hospital room-meeting for the first time, to a sweet little nine-month-old who has quite a sassy personality. It's been one exciting journey watching you grow so far.
As Mother's Day approaches tomorrow, I wanted to thank you for loving me the way you do. For all those years that I dreamed of being a mom, and all the years I spent trying to reach that dream, having you, loving you, and cherishing our moments together makes this Mother's Day that much more special. Isabella, I had almost given up hope of us ever being together, of ever being a Mom. I had no idea what God had in store for me. I had no idea that His plan was to bring you into my life. I carried you for nine months and even that couldn't have prepared me for how much I love you, how much I adore you. You make the sun shine even brighter and you make the world that much sweeter. You make me so overjoyed to be a mom.
Being your mom is the most amazing experience. I'll admit that you don't always make it an easy experience. These ear infections and colds have certainly tested my ability to get sleep when I'm worried about my baby. It's tested my willingness to get up all hours of the night to nurse and console my very upset little girl. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've learned a lot about myself as a mom through all of that. I've also learned a lot about your Mom-Mom and what she must have gone through as a young mom. I'll tell you a secret-I was the same as you with the ear infections! I never knew how your Mom-Mom did it, but I'm learning as we go that there is no secret to how to get through it all, you just do it! I'm a mom and my job is loving you, taking care of you, and making you happy!
So, as Mother's Day approaches, I wanted to thank you for being my child, for helping this journey as a Mom seem to amazing. It is a beautiful experience and I'm so blessed to be a Mother. I love you very much and I'm so blessed and thankful to be your mother.
Love,
Mom
Dear Isabella,
This weekend, we moved into a beautiful new house. I can't wait to make new memories with you in this house! This house was chosen with you (and maybe a future sibling in a few years) in mind. I set your room up on move-in day, but we didn't get a chance to paint yet. We'll paint it over Easter break. I'm so excited to see you grow up in your room and really start to enjoy it.
It was a busy weekend with all the moving. Everyone was so excited to see you here and enjoying the hustle and bustle. You got to play in the basement with your Poppy and get some good napping time in. It was fun all around for you!
I'm just so excited to be able to watch you grow in this home, to fill it with your laughter and smiles. It's going to see so many exciting things that you have yet to experience with us. A new house is more than just a building, it's a chance to make new memories, have new experiences, enjoy new adventures, and create many firsts. This is the home where you will have many of your firsts and I'm just so excited and looking forward to watching those firsts and enjoying you as you grow here. God has richly blessed us by giving us you and now we are richly blessed again with this house for you to enjoy.
Love,
Mommy
Dear Isabella,
This is your last week in the apartment you've known as home since before you were born. It's an exciting and a scary time. Packing is going slowly, but you sure do keep us from getting as much done as we could. It's an interesting time around here and you do a great job of keeping us laughing and trying to keep calm with all the nervous excitement.
It's a scary time because everything is all new. Mommy hasn't moved since Daddy and I moved into this apartment almost 7 years ago. It's not an easy thing to pack everything up. It's especially hard when all I want to do is play with you and keep you from getting upset. I'm sure you've noticed the boxes, but I'm thankful that you are so little still. You don't really understand what is going on. And that's a good thing. You just watch us hustle around trying to get things done and sometimes, you laugh at us because you think it's so funny.
This certainly is a very exciting thing, moving into a bigger home. You're almost guaranteed to have your own bedroom. You have your own bedroom now and certainly will at the new home, at least for now. But we'll see if that stays that way when Mommy and Daddy decide it's time for a bigger family. But you've got time to enjoy your new home and your new room without anyone bothering you.
Five more days, Isabella, and then we'll be moving all of our things into our new home. We can start a full life with a REAL home for you, our little princess. We want to give you every little thing we can. This is a big dream we had, to give our baby girl a nice, new, big home where you could dream, play, imagine, and create new things. I'm excited to see you grow up in it!
Love,
Mommy
My Dearest Isabella,
You are quickly approaching seven months. So much has changed and continues to change every single day. I'm just in awe of how God has created such a beautiful child and allowed me to raise her (you). I'm certainly blessed richly because I have you as a part of my life. I watch all the new things that you do, like play with my hair, reach for your Daddy to pick you up, giggle for minutes at a time, and stalk the dog. I am just amazed with all the changes that happen daily. My love for you grows stronger every single day. I never knew I could open my heart to love someone so deeply, so richly, and so unconditionally. You cry yet I never get mad at you for it. You get mad at something we do yet we just let you get mad and try to soothe you.
Right now, you are fast asleep in your swing. You had your six month shots yesterday (yes, Daddy and I are a few weeks behind with your well baby checkups, but because of the shots, we can't make them an earlier than they end up being). You've been so sleepy from your shots. But I could watch you sleep all night. I love the peaceful look on your face and the way you can just lay there in the swing and not be disturbed by all the noises around.
My cuddles and snuggles with you are getting even better than they ever were. I didn't think there could be anything better than holding a newborn. And then you were a month old and I didn't think it could get any better. But very month, all my experiences with you have surpassed any expectations or dreams I had. You are just amazing in every way!
I can't wait to see what is in store in the months and years down the road. But for right now, I'll just watch you sleep, wonder what you're dreaming about, and love you in every way I know how.
Love,
Mom
Dear Isabella,
It's so hard to believe that six months has already come upon us. So much has changed and continues to change as time goes on. You are doing so many exciting things now. It still seems like mere hours ago that you entered my world, changed me forever. I don't remember life without you. It's as though you have always been with me, always been a part of me. I think in some ways, you always were a part of me. You were my dream, my wish, my prayer. And for six months now, you have been my answered prayer, my dream and wish come true! It's so hard to believe that you are already six months old. Time flies too quickly. There are days where I just wish I could stop time, soak in every moment, absorb it like a sponge. But time marches on and so does your growth. It's just amazing to watch you, to see all that you do that's new each day.
Tonight, you're sleeping soundly in your big girl crib for the first time. Of course, Mommy is nervous about it and in some ways, sad. It means you're growing up already, growing up to the point of not needing to be in the same room as me all night long. You've been sleeping through the night since October, but in some ways, it feels like I'm not as needed as I was before. Not the truth, but it's just a Mommy moment.
Well, my love, it seems I spoke too soon and you are now awake and nursing again. So I must go and start bedtime again with you.
Love,
Mom
Dear Isabella,
You bring me so much joy every day. No words can quite describe the blessing God has given me by letting me be your Mom. You do so many exciting things these days. I love to listen to you chat away with your toys, the ceiling, and the dog. You put so many smiles on my face. I just love every moment I get to spend with you.
We dedicated you to the Lord in church this past Sunday. And although at your age of almost 6 months, you have no idea what even happened, some day you will. We vowed to raise you in a Christian home, where we teach you about God, encourage you to serve others, and allow you to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It was an exciting moment for your Daddy and me. It reminded me of how much I went through in order to conceive you. Pastor Mark made mention of a lot of things, including how we really had almost given up hope in conceiving a child but God had your time planned out already.
Isabella Joy, you are my joy. I am more beautiful because of you. Before you, I had self esteem issues. I disliked a lot of things about myself. I didn't want to look in the mirror too often. I just felt like an ugly duckling. Something about motherhood changed all of that. You make me beautiful. You make me smile more, dance more, and give me an overabundance of joy in my heart. I love you beyond words, beyond description. The only way I can describe it is that I love you like flowers love the rain and sunshine, like sequins love the Mummers, and like peanut butter loves jelly. We just go together, you and I. You are my joy!
Love,
Mom
