Mother's Day

There are two very different things I could write about this day, but tonight I just wanted to share some things about being a mom in the form of a letter to Addy.

My sweet Adalie,
I'm 27 years old this Mother's Day. You're 18 months old. It's sometimes very strange to think that these things can be true. I so easily recall details when I was in high school or when I met your father at 18 years old. But that was all almost a decade ago now. And you, how did you get to be so big and talkative? When did you make the jump from baby to toddler? Sometimes when I put you to bed at night I catch a glimpse of a little girl. You're growing and learning so fast, I can hardly keep up with all of your changing. Your dad I were just talking about how you knew just a handful of words 3 months ago and now there are too many to count. Lately you've been saying your "k" sounds. We're so proud of you. It's silly, to get so excited about consonant sounds, but we love to see you learning. It's truly something to behold.
You might be growing and changing, but you're such a toddler too. You need constant correction, and I lose my patience with you a little too often. You're prone to dump water on the carpet because you're curious to feel wet carpet. You pick up anything off the sidewalk. You love ketchup. You dipped a fork in it at dinner tonight and just ate straight ketchup. You'll dance if I ask you, and you ask for music right after your sippy of milk in the morning. You just want to dance and sing all the time. You know some phrases from songs even, "up above the" and "all the fish."
Your daddy had you help make a painting for me for mother's day and it was very sweet. You cried though. You hated having black paint on your hands, so there are smudges instead of hand prints. It makes me smile to know that is just like you. You have such a little personality and I really love it. I could be exasperated, I could be upset, but instead, I love your curiosity, I cherish your outgoing demeanor.

Adalie, you make being called "mama" my proudest title. I love you with all my heart. I yearned for you long before you came, and yet you came right on time. I hope I'll always remember the way your sweet little arms squeeze around my neck or your tiny little lips kiss mine. I hope I'll always remember the way you grab my leg and ask frantically for "up!" when you're afraid, or the way you say "bot" for book. Your dad and I laugh about your little ways and I hope we will always do our best to show you how to love Jesus and love others, how to try your hardest and stand up for what you believe in, how to forgive quickly and learn from mistakes.
With all my love - forever & always,
Your Mom