Happy 2nd Birthday

Mama
Nov 15, 2018
3 min read

Dear Capria,

Last year at this time, I was wondering where to begin when writing your first letter. This year, I feel so much of the same. I have so much to say about the incredible little girl you are, but I don't know where to start.

You’ve grown and changed so much this year. You never stop talking. You love counting. You can't get enough of your books. You have the sweetest love for your baby dolls-- you love on them all day long, feed them, rock them, put them to sleep for naps and take them for walks in their stroller. You are sweet, loving, smart and fearless. You are so social and love to see other kids. And you are growing up so fast. I can't wait to have deeper conversations with you and there are so many places I want to go with you and experiences I want to have. But, I must admit that I am kind of sad. You are growing up and there is no longer a baby in our home. The baby days are gone.

Sometimes I hear other mothers talk about the challenging days or the hard times, and in a way, I almost feel bad-- because you've never given me a hard day, ever!

Every night, after Daddy and I put you to bed, I think about the funny things you did that day and I want to sneak into your room and wake you up for one more snuggle. I've thought this way every night for the past two years. You will always be my best girl.

I never want to forget the way you were today on your birthday. All of your excited talking, how you kept repeating "Open more presents!". On the night before your birthday, we decorated the house with fruit-themed decorations -- since you are TWO-Ti Fruiti (Daddy even constructed a fruit stand out of cardboard, seriously!) I couldn't sleep because I was so excited to wake you up the next morning. You woke up at 7:15 and Daddy and I came into your room singing you "Happy birthday". We laid out all of your presents on the table. Your favorite was your little wooden fruit cutting set. I was so excited to give you your bike, and Daddy spent a long time putting it together, but you're still a little too short for it. Since we don't let you have sugar or other junkie foods, Sophia made you a "breakfast smile" with grapefruit, watermelon and oranges-- and we put a candle in it for you. After we got ready for the day, we went to your penultimate Mommy & Me Ballet class. You were, naturally, the best little dancer in your class. You love your ballet shoes-- and you excitedly exclaim "Put on ballet shoes! Put on ballet shoes!" After, we went to the Carnegie Science Center together. You love to explore and learn, and so it made the perfect little day date for us. You wore the same "Happy birthday" shirt from Aunt Jenny that you wore on your first birthday. I think we can get another few years out of it (how sad I will be when that day comes!). After that, we met up with Daddy and Sophia and went to Bounce U. You were so fearless and couldn't get enough of the slides-- even the very big ones. For your birthday dessert, we went to TCBY for frozen yogurt-- and you lovingly shared yours with Mama! You've had lots of gifts mailed to you and delivered this week, and when you were opening your 5th or 6th present, I said "What do you say?" And you said "More!" (Oops, you may be getting spoiled! We will work on that. :)) But, on this special day, I hope you were able to feel every ounce of love that surrounds you.

There are other things I never want to forget, too: I never want to forget the way you sigh and coo when you're sleeping. I never want to forget your pouty face. I never want to forget how much you love your Goodnight Nola and Remember Forever books. I never want to forget the way you’ll wrap your arms around me in a fierce hug before you run off to play. I never want to forget how much you love playing with my make-up or twirling in my office chair. I never want to forget how you take deep breaths in when you're so excited to see someone.

I love everything about you. I know you are going to light the world on fire.

Love you more than the moon and the stars,

Mama