Birthday letter #2

Here is the 2nd of the birthday letter installments. You can re-visit the first one here. The sap-o-meter is once again slipping off the scale!

May 6, 2007

Dear Elizabeth,

Another year has gone by, and it's time for me to sit down and try to write another birthday letter that encompasses all of my feelings for you. The task is impossible, but I'm still going to take a stab at it, as I promised you I would.

This 2nd year of your life has been a whirlwind of activity. You (finally) learned to walk – with much help from your eartubes – and our lives have not been the same since! Your Daddy and I laugh at you every day as you run – usually with your arms flailing about and an aura of instability – everywhere you go. You tackle every new activity with a dynamic sense of energy and urgency that is true to your personality. Your favorite phrase is "all by self," and you try to do everything that way – even the things you're not quite capable of yet! We're working hard to encourage your sense of independence, while still keeping you safely in our grasp. I imagine that's something we'll struggle with throughout our parenting years.

Your vocabulary is tremendous, and you never stop using it. From the minute you wake up until time for bed at night, words are streaming out of your lips. And, we just love talking to you. Your sense of humor shines through as you act silly and goof around with us. You have great examples from your Daddy and Jonathan, and the 3 of you already keep me laughing every night at the dinner table. You impress us with your intelligence every day – from the way you remember minute details of all of our activities, to the way you count and identify letters, numbers, shapes and objects, to the way you've memorized your favorite songs and books, to even the way you are able to identify the specific voice of a bluejay singing outside your window (something I can't even do!). I've told your daddy that I just want you to be a happy girl, whether you're classified as "gifted" or "average," as I personally know the challenges "gifted" can bring. But, I'm afraid you may have inherited that "gifted" gene, and your Daddy and I are going to do everything we can to nurture that and to help you appreciate and use your God-given talents.

Your heart is growing everyday, and your sweetness overflows. You're always careful to make sure we all have the things we need, and you are always offering to share with us (although we usually don't accept bites from your soggy cookies!). And, you do a great job of taking care of LouLou, Blue, and the rest of your stuffed friends. They are never wanting for butt paste or clean diapers! As I've been sick this week after my tonsil surgery, you've taken numerous opportunities to give me extra kisses and hugs, and we've even heard you pray several times, "Dear God…mommy's throat better soon…amen." That really made my heart swell with pride. I hope you continue to ask and rely on God to take care of all of your needs every day of your life. I know He has truly answered my prayers by giving you to me.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Libby Lou. I love you!

Mommy