All the riches

My Emily.

You wake in the morning with a smile on your face, and make a beeline for Daddy. If he's going to work that day, you sit on the toilet and talks to him while he shaves. Later, when he's getting dressed, you help him guide his belt through the loops on his pants. It's your job and you take it very seriously. If he's not going to work, you greet him at the side of the bed with a book. When you wake from a midday nap, you typically tells the first one of us you see "I was missing you while I was sleeping."

We missed you too.

You speak like a five year old most of the time, and by most of the time I mean when you're awake. It's true- your doctor and school have said your verbal skills are at that level, and most who hear you agree. You keep us on our toes, to be sure. Sometimes at the end of the day I find myself feeling completely "talked out" but once you're in bed and I've had a bit of time to unwind, I find myself reflecting on the conversations of the day ...and yes, missing you while you are sleeping.

You love us with the innocence of a child, with your mind, body, heart and soul. We joke that there are hugs and then the big, "squeeze my guts out" hugs and we're just not sure who likes them better; the you or us. One of your favorite games is the "I love you better than..." and I'm proud to say you love me better than chocolate, butterflies, stars, peas, cheese, m &ms and even *gasp* yogurt. That last one is huge.

A friend once told me while I was pregnant with you that she thought I'd be a good mom because she could picture me enjoying questions about why the sky is blue or where babies come from. I have to admit, we've had a lot of fun talking about why it rains, why we have fireworks on the fourth of July and many conversations about where babies come from. You keep saying someday you're going to have a husband and "this many children" holding up both hands. The thought of you as a mommy one day is almost more than my heart can stand. You breastfeed your baby dolls and hold them with so much care and love, I know you'll be a wonderful mother someday.

The days of wondering if I'd I'd ever have a child are still fresh in my memory, but here you are- the one who made me Mommy. I'll never forget the day I bought the little pink dress with embroidered roses and matching white bonnet. I was still pregnant, and I cried at the thought of the little girl who would one day wear the outfit. We didn't find out were having a girl until the moment you were born and your Daddy said to me "we have a daughter." Those four words changed my life in was I cannot measure.

You've had a love of all things pink, princess, butterfly, fairy, sparkly and downright girly from the very beginning. I remember wondering how I would teach a girl about femininty, but I have to be honest and admit that you are teaching me. You're three and sometimes says "Mom, I think it's time for us to get our nails painted again." Of course, you're completely correct. And, if sometimes you throw in some truck driver burps or "Did you hear me fart, dad" or end your favorite jokes with the punchline "poopyhead" well, that's ok too.

Smart, funny, beautiful and charming. I'm completely unbiased. You have changed so fast, but those things stay the same. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not intensely proud of you. There are moments when how awesome you are hits me like a wave. We are so lucky to have you. I hope you never forget that we feel this way.

I have had so much fun watching you change from a baby into this amazing little girl, and I know seeing you develop into a preteen, teen and woman will be amazing as well. No matter how old you are, you'll still be my baby and so I'm going to take advantage of the times you ask me to crawl in bed with you even if you are so active it feels like sleeping on a boat.

I love you, love you, love you little girl.