To my sweet baby girl,

It’s hard to believe that only 19 months ago, I hadn’t even met you. I can barely even remember what life was like before you arrived – I feel like it was a movie I watched a long, long time ago.I dreamed about you for years before we decided to have you, and then spent every day of my pregnancy wondering about who you would be. And then, on your birth day, I looked into your eyes and fell deeply in love. In all the pictures from that day, I’m grinning ear to ear because of how euphoric you made me.

You make me laugh every day, even when you’re being a punk. I just have to hide the laughter so you don’t get any ideas. But trust me – dropping a full glass jar of flour on the floor and then exclaiming, “UH-OH!” when it shatters is pretty freaking funny. I imagine that when you get older and get into more trouble, it will be a little more difficult to laugh, but I promise to try and find the humor in every crazy situation if you promise to try your best not to be a total miscreant.

You’re growing up so fast, which is a good thing, as we’re about to throw you the biggest curveball of your short baby life. In a little over a month, your brother will be here and your entire world will turn upside down. I know you’re going to be an amazing big sister because you adore every baby you’ve ever met. You help give bottles, cover them with blankets, and want to kiss them goodbye. Just don’t try to carry your little brother around, ok? I’ve seen the way you drop your dolls on their heads.

This weekend is Mother’s Day, which is supposed to be a special day to celebrate moms. But I feel like every day is Mother’s Day and you celebrate me in your own special way. You celebrate me being your mama when you say a new word that I taught you, when you climb up on my lap to read a book, and when you give me a big, sloppy, open-mouthed kiss goodnight. Even when you follow me into the bathroom, it’s your way of saying you want to be with me. Or you want to unroll all the toilet paper. Same thing. (And don’t tell Daddy I feel like I’m celebrated every day – I’m still making him take us out to brunch.)

I cannot properly express to you how much I love being your mama. You make me proud, baby girl. And the best is yet to come.

Love & Kisses, Mama