Dear D,
Today you are two!
On June 27, 2014 you said your first unprompted “I love you,” and my heart burst. We were camping, I was at the car and you were inside the tent with “MY Daddy” as you call him. You said “Mommy?” and I said “Yes, baby girl?” and you said “Yuv oooo!” and as I responded with an “I love you too!” I realized that it wast the first time you ever said that to us without being prompted by someone else. And I cried a little.
May the sunlight find your face
Even when the rain does fall
And get back on your feet again
Every time you slip and fall
Keep your heart wide open
And always taking in
And even when it’s broken
Be strong enough to fix it up again
Your words are increasing by the day. You emphatically state “MY Daddy” when you see your Dad, and my heart bursts some more. Watching your relationship with him grow has been beautiful. You love to dance on his feet, and sometimes only his hugs will do. He does “fly” where he zooms you around the room, and “Wee” where he flies you over my head. You hug his leg when he comes home from work, and every morning when I get you ready you say “My Daddy? My Daddy eat? My Daddy work?”
Oh little baby girl
Sweet little baby girl
I wish I could hold your hand in this great big world
Oh little baby girl
I don’t know what this world holds you for you, or for us. Of course I hope one day you’ll be officially ours forever, and we can drop the “Foster” in front of our Mom and Dad titles, but I can’t guarantee it. What I can guarantee is that we love you (to the moon and all the way back) and we always will, whether you live with us or not. You have made us Mommy and Daddy. You have captured our hearts. I want always to protect you, and although I know I can’t always, I will try.
And I hope your hands are steady
And never need to make a fist
And I hope that when you’re ready
You get one never ending kiss
And I hope that deep inside of you
There’s a sweet eternal song
And I hope the words are pretty
And that you’ll always sing along
You love to sing, to dance, and to headbang in the backseat to any song with a good beat. I love that you love music, because it’s so much of who I am, who your Dad is, who your Grammy is.. heck, all of our family is! You also love to give “huggies” to “Skeeer” and “Spiiiinn” and “Boch” who were formerly known as Skeeter, Master Splinter, and Spock.
And I hope your friends are many
And your laughter’s always loud
To help you when you’re lonely
And pick you up when you’re down
I hope your eyes shine bright love
And learn to see the light
Take the time to listen
Decide yourself what’s wrong or right
You are still figuring out your world. You get easily upset when you think I am leaving without you, and you struggle with transition. You are slow to warm up to people, but once you do, you charm them easily with your easy laughter and beautiful smile. You are making friends and like to play. Your favorite games involve putting your dolls to bed, being a doctor, and pouring tea. It’s amazing to see your imagination grow!
Oh little baby girl
Sweet little baby girl
Be strong in this great big world
Oh little baby girl
Baby girl, you are 2 today. I am honored to witness this day and celebrate all the wonderfulness that is you. I will read you “The Night You Were Born” and we will whisper and wiggle through the book, but truer words have never been spoken. You Are Loved.
*Lyrics “Baby Girl” by Will Hoge
