Happy 2nd Birthday, Little Livers!

Dear Livers,

As I'm sitting here, with you snuggled cozily in your bed, I can't believe that it has really been two years since you've been born. Two years ago at this moment your Nana was intervening on my behalf for a C-section, as you were quite content to stay nestled in my womb for as long as absolutely possible. I was so tired and in pain, but all I wanted was to look down on the face of the angel I'd been dreaming about for nine months...and really, for my entire life.

I don't know if you burst on the scene quietly or with gusto, as I was knocked out with anesthesia, but you have let us know of your joyful presence ever since. You're not a fussy child (except when you're throwing a tantrum or two), but you most certainly inherited your mother's big mouth. Not that there's anything wrong with that. :) You are quite the verbal little child and you are talking in sentences just like a big girl now. You never cease to amaze me with what might come out of your mouth next, and that daily adventure is what makes the coming morning worth it every day. I love to hear your voice singing throughout the house, especially now that you are making up songs of your own. I never know what I'll hear next sung to the tune of "Jingle Bells"!

You are quite the busy little bee, just like when you were in Mommy's belly. I ache at times to feel your little pokes, prods, and rolls from inside my stomach, and it makes me sad sometimes not to be able to feel you so close, but all I have to do is look up and I'll catch you running swiftly up and down the halls, often with something you're probably not supposed to have. Those moments when you slow down, just for a bit, and run into my arms and tell me, "I love you, Mama!" make my day, and I could live a lifetime on the memory of these sweet little moments between us. I hope that as you get older that we will get closer and closer and have the kind of relationship your Nana and my Nanny had.

Every time I look at you I see your wonderful Daddy. You have his same eyes, and when you're not giggling and shouting, his same serious stare. For what you lack in my looks, though, you make up for with my inherited personality. You're not a girly girl, just like me. You loved stuffed animals, but only one bald-headed little baby doll you've named "Carla" catches your heart. You love to play with blocks, read books, pretend to clean, and move things from place to place in your own particular manner. Sesame Street has captured your heart, and you already have a love of rainbows. You love to hug on Molly and Lacey, even if they don't want to. You love to play with (and occasionally eat) crayons and to paint. You could listen to music all day long if I let you, and your passion for the Beatles (and a budding one of Coldplay) gets me very tickled. You are very loud and outgoing, just like I was as a child, and you talk up a storm.

Though it has only been two short years, I truly cannot imagine my life without you. I look forward to all of the adventures you, your Daddy, and I will be having together next year, from (hopefully) potty training to possibly moving to a big girl bed and so much more. I love you more than you'll ever know and my heart bursts with pride and love for you every second of my life.

Always your love, your comfort, and your friend,
Mama.

January 4, 2007

January 5, 2008

January 2, 2009
your actual birthday, right after you woke up this morning