Sorry, I'm late in posting this--Elle turned 2 on September 29th!
Dear Elle,
I can't believe you're already two-years-old! We were looking through pictures of your first birthday the other day, and it's still amazing to me how quickly you've become a little independent person, rather than a baby, although you're still my baby in so many ways! These past two years have been an amazing journey--Elle, you made me a mother, and that changed my life in more ways than you'll ever know (well, until you become a mother yourself one day). Without you, I would not understand unconditional love so vividly; I would never know the depths of my patience or the reaches of my compassion. You've forced me to slow down, to appreciate not just every new day but every little part of God's creation. You have been my constant companion these past two years, thanks in part to your major separation anxiety issues and in part to your daddy's demanding work schedule, but I have loved every minute of it. Looking back, I am aware of how bittersweet watching you grow has been and will continue to be, and I can't wait to see where this next year will lead you.
Elle, since your birth, your daddy and I have talked about how each stage has been more fun than the one before, and I think I'll say again, that I think this stage is so much fun (okay, maybe not the major toddler meltdowns, but they are funny sometimes)! It's incredible to be able to communicate with you and to hear your ideas and opinions. You wake up talking, even while still in bed, and you often fall asleep talking to yourself at night. You have seemed intent on dropping your nap recently (mostly because you HATE to go to sleep and have to be going at all times), and if I leave you alone to have some quiet time, hoping you will sleep, you will talk and sing to yourself for an hour straight! I can't help but smile as I listen to you over the monitor. You have come up with some great phrases, your most recent one being, "Shake your body!" as you move your body back and forth (not sure where you got that one!), and love hearing some of the words you put together (daddy is always "my daddy").
When you're not talking, you are singing and dancing. You love any form of music, and I'm so impressed by your ability to pick up on the tunes of songs, even if you can't say all the words, and to remember the motions to every new song you hear. You are so dramatic in your performances (and in everything you do!) that people can't help but watch. I keep saying that I can't believe that you're my child because you have no inhibition, but I guess that's what childhood is all about. You make the goofiest faces and motions with your hands when you're engaged in a song, and I love hearing the words you come up with to the songs you hear (to you, Barney's song is, "I love me, you love me..." and you're right--we all love you!) and the songs you make up on your own (the other day, you sang to some hot air balloons in the sky for at least 5 minutes). One of your favorite weekly activities is going to storytime at the bookstore near our house every Saturday. The lady who leads the storytime can't say enough good things about you and can't believe all that you can do at your age, particularly during the singing portion at the beginning. She is constantly telling us you're going to be an entertainer, and we tend to agree. One of your other favorite things to do recently is go to the local ice cream shop, not for ice cream, but to dance in front of the juke box. You've even gotten other kids and an older gentleman to join in with you--see, you're an entertainer already! The other comment we always hear about you is that you're just "so happy." People always ask if you're "always like this," when they witness your energy and zeal for life. That's one of the things that makes being your mother so easy and so rewarding. You get excited about everything from seeing the moon in the night sky to singing one of your favorite songs in the car, and your excitement is contagious because your emotions are always obvious!
You are still so affectionate and I love your spontaneous hugs, even in the middle of playing, and our cuddle time whenever you first wake up. You always run to hug your friends when you see them and can always be found carrying around your baby or Minnie Mouse. You have a great sense of compassion and always ask if I'm okay every time I sneeze or cough. You love your friends, especially Sam and Coral, and you ask for them, often on a daily basis. Since you're the oldest among your friends, you have become somewhat bossy, but I know this will eventually make you a great leader. You've already shown us what a great big sister you are, showering Lauren with lots of hugs and kisses and showing her all your toys. And you've long been into being a "mommy" (you're always taking such good care of your baby dolls, diapering, feeding, and rocking them, pushing them in the stroller, and telling them, "it's otay," and you're always looking out for your friends, reminding them to "come here" and echoing everything the adults tell them). I know you will always look out for Lauren also, and you two will be the best of friends one day!
Elle, I hope you always know how much I love you and that I will always be there for you. Though you now have a sister and may have more siblings in the future, and though you are really no longer a baby, you will always be my FIRST baby! Here's to a fun year of being TWO!
Love,
Your mommy
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