finley,
today you are 18 months old. really, how can you be 1 1/2 years old?
while we know it is unavoidable…i mourn how quickly you are growing up. you morphed from my tiny baby girl to a full blown toddler in the blink of an eye. as much i want to believe you will be the first to defy the hands of time, i am powerless against the clock. it just keeps ticking with no regard to my heart…and each day you grow up a bit more.
you are generous in every way. you love deeply and express tenderness in a million ways… a shy, yet flirtatious smile from across the room, gentle pats on my back while you say "mommy", soft kisses anywhere you can plant them. you give and you give freely. no possession is so prized that you are unwilling to share it with others, except for bun-bun. oh how you love bun-bun.
finley, your charm, determination and intelligence amaze us. i love to watch you try to put on your sisters dress up clothes. you struggle, with your little tongue stuck out, working so hard, until you either get it or you fall over in a heap, in tears. no task is too big for you. you are a treasure and i cherish our special relationship.
you are and have always been an amazing sleeper. you sleep all night and still nap sometimes twice a day. i used to hate the days when you wouldn't nap at the same time as your sisters. sometimes mommy needs just a little "by herself" time. but lately, as i watch you grow so fast, i treasure that hour that you wake up early. it's just the two of us, walking around outside or sitting on the front porch, drinking "juicy" (juice) and chatting like girlfriends.
you are quite the conversationalist. i know before long, you will be talking even more than your sisters. i don't even know how many words you can say because there are so many. some of the cute things you say are, see-da (see ya), side (outside), nuff (enough), cake cakes (pancakes), pessy(preslee), mae-mae (mason), tutt (touch), muck (milk).
you have the sweetest spirit. you are tenacious and determined but tender through and through. you love life and you especially love to laugh and sometimes you even snort when you laugh. one of the sweetest sounds i know is your giddy laughter ringing through the house when your sisters are chasing you.
no one makes you laugh like your sisters. just today, i videotaped you just bursting into laughter over cereal. i didn't see the humor, but you three did. you just laughed and laughed. it is so heartwarming to see my three girls together and so in love with each other. i know as the years pass, you will have your share of fights and not always get along, but i pray that the bond you have now always is as tight as it is today. that you three will always be the best of friends, just like your aunt amy and i.
you commanded respect when you became this little person with your own intelligence and temperament. and most of all, you remind me of the grace that you are, everyday of your life. you are so special finley and you complete our family. we love you so much. happy 18 months sweet girl!
i love you,
mommy
