3

I know I have been a slacker lately, but the month of November was consumed with sickness.  Rory had a cold, gave it to me, I developed bronchitis (which lasted 3 weeks) and I gave it to Kevin (who is still battling it actually) and then mine developed into an upper resp. infection and then Rory got an upper resp infection as well.  Goodbye November, good riddance!

I will post some pis soon...in the mean time, my sweet tiny baby, turned 3 yesterday.  3...as in a big girl...so, in light of that, my annual letter for her birthday.

Rory,

Yesterday you turned 3.  You are officially a big girl.  Daddy and I both took off work yesterday to stay home with you and told you that we would do whatever you wanted to do, the whole day was up to you.  You asked for a ride on the carousel at the mall, and to go to lots of toy stores.  So, that is exactly what we did.  As I sat you up on the reindeer on the carousel at the mall, and buckled the belt around you as you hung onto the brass pole with white knuckles, I was suddenly struck by the sight of your little hands.  The last vestiges of baby and toddler could barely be seen.  Long gone are the little rolls of fat at your wrist, but for the longest time, you still had the dimples on your knuckles.  Yesterday, I noticed, that they too were on borrowed time.  Your hands are beginning to look like a little girls.  I admit, a part of my heart was sad.  My days of snuggling you up, and your little toddler roundness melting into me are numbered.  It has gone so quickly, much faster than I could have anticipated.

You are a wonder my sweet girl.  You are all girliness and sass rolled into one.  You have such a big heart, and can't stand for anyone to be upset.  Your best friend A, at your birthday party on Saturday, was really upset when they got there, and you kept trying to hug her and tell her that it was OK and that you loved her.  My heart swelled with pride as you asked all your friends at your party to help you open  your presents with you, not caring for a moment that they were "yours."

We had lunch at Johnny Rockets yesterday and when they found out it was your birthday, they brought you a dish of ice cream with chocolate syrup and whipped cream and then they all sang you 'Happy Birthday'.  As they sang to you, you got timid all of a sudden and smiled that sweet smile of yours and ducked your head down.  Sitting there, with my arm around you, I could feel your back vibrating as you giggled that little girl giggle that I love so much and then it happened, after they were done singing, you lifted your head up, with a huge smile on  your face and said, "Thank you everyone."  I could have died, right there!  Oh, my sweet, sweet baby girl, my heart leaps with love and pride!

All day, you would say, "I am 3 years old, now I can ...." I want you to always know that, regardless of age, you can do whatever you set your mind to.  Last night, after you fell asleep, I went back into your room, as has long been a habit, and prayed over you again.  I thanked God that 3 years ago, in a hospital room in Birmingham, AL, we were blessed with the gift of you.  We never could have known, your Daddy and I, sitting in the hospital room the night after you were born what you had in store for us.  I remember sitting there, Daddy holding you all snuggled up in his arms and we just looked at you, totally in awe of this tiny baby, that knit us together so perfectly.

Last night, as I knelt on the floor next to your bed, I brushed a curl off of your cheek.  I love to look at you when you are asleep, I can catch glimpses of that tiny baby, all wrapped up in a blanket.  I studied your little nose, and the way that your eyelashes rested on your little pink cheeks.  I ran my finger across your sweet little hand and reached down and patted your little round toddler bottom.  Carefully, I scooped you up, careful not to wake you and snuggled you in my arms close to my chest.  For a minute, I sat there and rocked back and forth and just breathed you in.  Oh, these moments Rory, I don't ever want to forget them.  I sat there for a minute or two, just looking at you, and in my mind, thanking God for the blessing that you are to us.  I asked God to help us remember in those moments when you are so stubborn and hard headed that those traits, although difficult for us now, will come in handy when you are older and are battling for Christ.  I asked God to help you retain your sweet spirit and compassion for other people, but to help us to teach you to recognize people who might take advantage of you. I sat there and rocked you and tried to drink in every last second of you, on the day that you turned 3. 

I don't know how long I sat there, but as I began to lay you back down, you opened your eyes and said, "Hi, Mommy, I love you."  I said "I love you too, tiny girl", and kissed your soft, curly haired head, and you drifted back off to sleep.  I hope that you know how much those 3 little words mean my sweet baby.  I love you, to the moon and back, always will.  Can't wait to see what 3 brings you Rory, God Bless you my sweet, tiny girl. 

All my love,
Mommy