Maderville

A letter to Landry on her 2nd Birthday

My Dear Sweet Landry,

As I think about the second year of your life I am baffled at the thought that I could love you more than I did this day last year. I think about how much you have grown and learned in this past year and again, I find myself in awe at the things you teach me every day. I have spent the better part of this year trying to instill in you the basic foundation of knowledge that you will use for the rest of your life. While you are so smart in learning your colors, numbers, letters and the basics, I have concentrated far more diligently in your prayers, manners, kindness, and your behavior. I know that the work that your Daddy and I have done in these early years will serve you well in your bright future. Your vocabulary is far superior to most children your age and you have a comprehension for problem solving, time, space and distance that blows me away. Your favorite things are your baby, Elmo that your Uncle Roger sent you last year for your birthday, two plastic baby bottles and your Dora blanket. You won’t go to sleep without them and they seem to give you a great sense of security. You take inventory of all of them before you go to bed and you are quite methodical about it.

You are also quite the Daddy’s girl. When he is home, you usually want him first and give him most of your attention and surprisingly enough, I am great with that. He has this spell over you and you absolutely love it. When I ask you who Mommy’s favorite girl is you answer ‘Buggins!’ and point to yourself. You are told how cute and/or pretty every time we go out so I decided to teach you something that if combined with your beauty you will be unstoppable. When I ask you what’s more important than being pretty you say ‘Being kind and SMART!’

Tonight, you are sleeping in your big girl bed for the first time and surprisingly enough, you stayed in your bed like the sweet girl you are. You are the most adaptable child I have even known and I love how flexible you can be when I need you to be. I wish I were more like you in so many ways. I pray that I have given you some of the same joy and contentment that you have given me. I could never be more proud of you and your accomplishments this past year and I love you in ways I didn’t know I could. As your baby brother grows inside me, I know that I will find room in my heart for him but you sure make it hard to imagine there could be more. You are truly my dream come true and I love you so much more than I ever dreamed was possible. Thank you for shining a light in the darkest corners of my heart and being everything you are to me. You are so much better than the dreams I have dreamed about being a mommy because I am YOUR mommy. Happy 2^nd birthday, my sweet angel.

I love you, Landry.

Love,

Mommy