- Share This Post
- Pin It
- 0
-
Sparkle (0)
Dear Grace,
Today you turn 5. Five! Do you know how huge that is? You can do almost everything by yourself now. No more diapers. No more sippy cups. Today you got completely dressed yourself.
I've been asked how I'm dealing with you growing up. And you know what? I'm loving every second of it!
Watching you grow these last five years has been completely amazing. You have gone from being the teeny baby that loved to go out "on the town" with mama, wandering the halls of the mall (and the aisles of Wal-Mart) for hours, looking at everything, but for nothing, to a big girl that wants to go to the mall to get her ears pierced.
You make friends like it's nothing. Being shy around other kids is not a problem for you at all. Every park or playground we go to you find someone to play with. Now, usually you give them a name instead of asking theirs, but you'll play with anyone. It makes me proud to see you play with every kid on the playground, no matter what color, gender, or ability level.
Yes, I miss my teeny baby. I miss falling asleep on the couch with you, your head tucked under my chin, you making those newborn baby/chicken noises, watching the Olympics. I miss our daily runs to Taco Bell while I was on maternity leave. I miss your "singing" while you flail your little karate-chop hands a la Auntie Katie.
.jpg)
Four years and 42 weeks ago I returned to work after ten whole weeks of maternity leave, which I spent getting to know my brand new baby. As I got reaquainted with my desk I turned on the radio. First song that came on? Daughters, by John Mayer. I cried. Oh did I cry! Luckily I started at four in the morning, so no one got to witness the hormonal breakdown that was me.
Just a few days ago I put on a John Mayer album. You listened for a little while, turned to me, and said "mom, I really like this music." I told you it was John Mayer, and you said "mom, I think I love John Mayer." Well, kid, you've been listening to him for quite a while now! Finding music that we both can listen to is very important to both of us.
This is just the tip of your musical iceberg. If there's not music on, you make your own. You started singing when you were eight months old, belting out your own harmonies to Karen Carpenter. I'll never forget when you tried to serenade Chili's with your own version of...well... I'm not sure what it was, but it was loud. And melodic.
I miss my baby. But I LOVE my big girl. You make me the most proud mama there ever was. I've enjoyed our last five years, and look forward to so so so many more. I love you more than you'll ever know!
