Amelia - Five

Dear Amelia,

It's hard to believe you are five. A whole hand. Because of your late August birthday, you won't go to kindergarten until next year. I am sure you could be ready this year - you write your name, Mommy, Daddy, and Bella without help. You can write almost all of your letters unassisted and are starting to make connections between letters and sounds. You continue to make amazing artwork for us, and coloring or drawing are some of your favorite things to do. You also love playing with Barbies and princess dolls.

I think the thing that has amazed me so much about you this year is your determination. When you want to learn something, you work and practice until you get it. We didn't do gymnastics this summer and yet your cartwheels have gotten a lot better because you do them constantly. One night a month or so ago you asked me how to snap your fingers. You watched me do it, tried, and then asked me to do it one more time while you watched intently. You were snapping your fingers within 24 hours. You've done amazingly well in swim lessons (you can now swim short distances unassisted). I hope that determination serves you well throughout life.

While you are still shy around people you don't know, you are so fearless in other ways. You climb everything and you've mastered the monkey bars. Unfortunately that led to a fall off your new swing set a couple of weeks ago - the result was a fractured elbow. You picked a bright yellow cast and didn't want anyone to sign it. Fortunately you're getting the cast off the day before your birthday party - a Tangled theme this year.

You can certainly be stubborn, but you are also still so sweet and loving. You love to give hugs and snuggle, and you love all of your cousins and are wonderful with Ian. He loves playing with you! All in all you are a very good natured kid, and you make us smile and laugh daily.

Today is a perfect sunny day, cool enough to have the doors and windows open - just like the day you were born. Happy 5th birthday, sweetheart. Here's to another great year!

Love always,
Mommy

FOUR

(Posted about a month belatedly. I'm sorry!)

Dear Amelia,

I didn't expect to be so emotional about your fourth birthday, but I've spent a week fighting back tears as I put together a slideshow of pictures from the past year and get ready for your carousel themed birthday party. This summer has turned you into a big kid. I feel like you get taller every day - your legs are getting longer and skinnier, your face is getting thinner, your hair is getting longer. I am reminded every day that before long you'll be going off to kindergarten, and these little kid days will be behind us. I'm not ready, kiddo.

You moved up to the Firefly room at school and your favorite thing to do these days is color and draw. I feel like you rarely play with toys these days - you just want to color and draw and write. You are constantly asking me how to spell words and I'm amazed when you know how to write the letters with little help from me. The other day you wrote quite a bit of the alphabet all by yourself. I may be biased but I think you are one smart little cookie.

You insist on wearing dresses every day and love girly things. You're still obsessed with Frozen and dressing up in princess dresses. Mommy is a little sad that your Ellie elephant you slept with for the past few years is no longer a necessity for bedtime, and you've been rotating through other stuffed animal friends instead.

You are still our little love bug. You love giving kisses and hugs and snuggling. In the mornings you often come into our room and tap me on the arm before asking if you can snuggle before we get up for the day. Yes. The answer will always be yes.

Of course you still have your stubborn moments - you like to get your way and you are an expert negotiator. ("Just one more?" "Just a few more minutes?") You throw some doozy fits every now and then but overall you're just an awesome kid. Your language is so clear and precise and you are inquisitive and silly.

You recently started ballet instead of gymnastics and when I snuck a peek in the room you were twirling all over the place. I hope you are always so happy and carefree.

Happy 4th birthday, princess! We love you so much!

Love always,
Mommy

Dear Amelia - 3.5 Years

Dear Amelia,

This past weekend we celebrated your cousin's fourth birthday. That means in less than six months YOU are going to be four. I'm having trouble believing that can be true. Four isn't a baby anymore. Four is definitely a big girl. 

You are absolutely, without a doubt the light of our lives, sweet pea. You are making up for all of those rough months at the beginning of your life by being the most amazing toddler/preschooler. While you are certainly stubborn and ornery at times, you are really very well-behaved most of the time. I've had many people comment about how "good" you are. The tantrums I hear about from other kids your age are few and far between, though you get frustrated by the word "no," of course. You want to be independent, putting on your coat by yourself and wanting to help make lunch and dinner (which you also call lunch). Speaking of which, you're still a great eater - you'll happily eat fish, steak, broccoli, and salad with "cranch," though macaroni and cheese is still your favorite.

You are definitely a girly girl. You love princess dress-up (Frozen!) and twirly dresses and pink/sparkly things. You've also inherited your daddy's artistic abilities. You love to color and draw and are great at it. I'm impressed! You can spell your name and are working on writing it. You love singing, being silly and being tickled. And we are thrilled that you still love hugs and kisses and snuggles, which you initiate all the time.

Right around when you turned three you finally started sleeping really well, all the time. You're now in your toddler bed and are quite happy there. You even let Mommy snuggle in with you and your Ellie elephant for a little bit at bedtime and it's one of my favorite moments every day. 

There are times when I still can hardly believe you're mine, because I'm just in awe of what a wonderful, beautiful little person you are becoming. I love you so much, Amelia Bedelia.

Love always,

Mommy

Letter to Amelia - 2 1/2 Years

Dear Amelia,

I feel like I say this every time I write one of these letters, but I can't believe how much you have grown. You're on your way to 3, and that is so hard to believe. You're still my baby! But you are definitely becoming a little girl. You are such a bundle of sunshine and energy. Every day with you is an adventure, and I love the conversations we have now. You are always making Daddy and I laugh. You love to sing and I was so proud of you at your Christmas program and your performance this past week at daycare. You sang the songs (mostly) and weren't afraid of an audience. Not surprising since you are always entertaining us. We're still going to gymnastics on Saturday mornings and you've mastered the forward roll and walking on the beam. You've walked on the lowest one by yourself and were pretty successful. It's been a long, very cold winter and I know we both can't wait until you can play outside again.

You still love books and currently your favorite is a search and find animal book you got for Christmas. You're starting to learn letters and can write a capital "A" with no help from us! You also love playing with Mr. Potato Head, your blocks, dress up with your "princess" skirts and jewelry, and you like to cook for us in your kitchen. You love it when the "tea" is too hot and we spit it out - so funny!

We're working on potty training - you're doing great at daycare but your stubbornness seems to take over at home. We'll get there! You're starting to realize you have choices in life and like to make your opinions known. You like to choose your clothes when we let you (you take your "sparkly boots" off/put them on yourself, and you also can take off your coat - "I do it!"). You would eat macaroni and cheese (or as you sometimes say, "noonles") for every meal if you could, but you still also love green beans, "blockly" (broccoli) and fruit, and you'll usually try whatever Daddy and I are eating. You ask us for your "violins" (vitamins). It took Mommy awhile to understand what that one meant (thanks for translating, Daddy!).

At your 2 1/2 year check up last week you were 30 pounds, 2 oz and 36.5 inches tall - in the 75th percentile. Apparently you still are not a fan of sleep because you wake Mommy up once at least three nights a week, and you don't know the meaning of sleeping in. You still nap pretty well though, and last weekend Mommy loved snuggling up with you in our bed and taking a nap together. You love giving "big hugs!" and I taught you to give Eskimo kisses before bed which you call "kissy nose."

It's so much fun to watch you learn and grow. Daddy and I are so thankful for every day with you and we love you oh so much. I am so lucky to be your mama.

Love always,
Mommy

Hooray, I'm 2 1/2!

2 Year Letter to Amelia

Dear Amelia,

All of those parents who told me, "Time flies," who I didn't believe when we were in the thick of the tough stuff in your first year, the days that seemed never ending... oh sweet girl. They were right. You - my BABY - are TWO. Or as you have been telling everyone who asks, "twos." I love you more than I could ever put into words and have so enjoyed watching you grow over the past year, from baby to toddler. I look at your pictures and can't believe how much you have changed in such a seemingly short time.

What's going on in your life right now? We spent our first summer together of mommy being off work. You started to learn how to swim (on your own terms, just like everything else in life!). You fearlessly climbed the biggest slides at the playground and slid down. You wanted to see the elephants at the zoo (just like "ell-int" you sleep with). You decided you needed a cup of water in your crib every night, which made mommy feel like you were a bit too grown up. Just before you started your new "school" when mommy went back to work, you finally stopped taking bottles. You've had a little bit of a hard time adjusting to your new school, but you're working on it. I know despite your big personality and fearless ways, you are a lot like your mama was when I was young - shy and unsure of new people and places.

You love playing with dolls - feeding them, holding them, tucking them in for "night night". Playing pretend is a big activitiy these days. You love "tiddy tats". You call cows "moos" and chips "blips." Speaking of which, you are more into "nacks" than eating meals, but you are still a great eater who loves cheese and fruit and always want a bite of anything mommy and daddy are eating. Your two year molars - the last of your baby teeth - are just barely starting to peek through, and sometimes you still wake up a time or two at night, here and there. At your two-year check up we learned you grew four inches in the past six months! You're now 29 lbs 3 oz, and 34.5 inches tall.

You love to sing "The Wheels on the Bus," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," and often do so into your microphone. You can sing your ABCs and count to 13, and we're working on colors and shapes. You love to watch "Buppies" (Bubble Guppies), play with guitars, and read books. 

It is so hard for me to capture in a few paragraphs all of the ways you light up our lives - all of the amazing new things you learn and do every single day. We love you so much, munchkinpants. Happy Twos-day!

Love,
Mommy

Dear Amelia - 18 months

Dear Amelia,

In a few days you will offically be 18 months old. One and a half. I like "18 months" better because it sounds like you are still my baby and not on your way to being a big girl. Yesterday you had your 18 month check-up, and you were just over 26 lbs (75th percentile) and just over 30 inches tall (25th percentile). Which isn't surprising because you love to eat! I can't think of many things you have tried and spit out. You like everything (and I'm sure I just jinxed that). You have two more pesky canine teeth coming through that have been messing with your sleep lately, but hopefully that will pass soon.

Every day with you is an adventure. You love to climb and run and stand on things you shouldn't (toys, chairs, people...) - it's hard to catch a picture of you these days because you rarely sit still. And you're tough. You tend to trip a lot but even if you hit your head on something you jump right back up with minimal crying. (We got your legs checked out recently since they are bowed, which causes a lot of your falls, but the doctors said you'll outgrow that.)

You love books, and your favorite is "Sam Sheep Can't Sleep." We have been known to read it five times a day. You don't necessarily talk as much as some other kids your age that we know, but you are getting there. You reguarly say "Nain!" for thank you. You also love "teeees!" (cheese - saying it and eating it). Last weekend when you crashed in bed with Daddy and me, you woke me up by saying, "Mah-mee! Mah-mee!" for the first time ever! I was so happy. (Before, Daddy and I were both "Da".) You also said "ball" and "block" in context this weekend. You can point out your toes, ears, nose, mouth, and eyes - the only one you say is "eyes", but you can find them when we ask. You say "two" when we're counting, and sometimes "six." You say, "feess!" for fish, and some of your other words include keys, go, tree, and light. Even though you don't say them every day, you know what they mean.

Your favorite phrase right now is, "Oh no!" with a very concerned, dramatic look on your face. And my dear, you are nothing if not dramatic! Your facial expressions are so over the top. You are always making us laugh.

Cheese face

Excited Valentine's face - OMG, a card!

 

Kiddo, it's really hard to sum up how amazing your are. It's so much fun to watch you learn and explore. You are ornery and keep us on our toes, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Saying hi to a baby goat

We love you so much, munchkin pants. I can't believe you're on your way to two years old. Slow down!

Love always,
Mommy!

8 Month Letter to Amelia

My little munchkin,

The past month or so has brought new challenges and milestones. You were sick - really sick - for the first time, with RSV. You were coughing and having trouble breathing and it was hard to know we couldn't do much to help you. This meant you were back in your Rock 'n Play for a couple of weeks to help you sleep and breathe better. You'd decided you didn't care much for sleeping all night before that anyway and had us up a couple of times each night. But after a few weeks we realized you wanted more to eat during the day and you are sleeping well now.

You LOVE to eat. Now you seem to view your bottles mostly as playthings and rarely finish them during the day. I'm sure it's because you'd rather have "big girl" food. The only thing you've hated so far has been avocado, but that's ok because Mommy is more than happy to eat your share.

You'd rolled over here and there but it never seemed to be your thing. You started scooting backward for probably a good month, and then suddenly just before your 8 month birthday, you were OFF. Crawling everywhere, pulling up, and making a beeline for anything you weren't supposed to have. Like the newspapers, magazines, and an envelope you've eaten. The cable box and Playstation. The fireplace. The cat. And we lowered your crib a notch after I found you standing in it when you were supposed to be taking a nap. (You're still not a fan of naps. Maybe 20-30 minutes at a stretch.)

You seem to be extremely happy with this newfound freedom, though Mommy is constantly worried about you bonking your head. And getting you dressed is now pretty similar to wrestling an octopus because you are sitting and standing and grabbing everything. You love to coo and talk and "ga ga ga". No teeth yet, but sooner or later I'm sure they will be here!

You're a lot of fun, and we can't wait to show you new things this summer! Happy 8 months, happy girl!

Love always,
Your Mommy

6 Month Letter to Amelia

Happy half birthday, sweet girl! I can't believe it's been half a year since you came into our lives. It seems like the time has flown by but stood still at the same time. I feel like I have known you forever, but you change and teach me something new every day.


So much has changed in the past six months. When we went to the hospital the night you were born, it was the tail end of summer. The nights had just a hint of chill to them, but it was still warm outside. We've seen you grow through fall and winter (the most mild winter we've seen in years), and now I can't wait to share spring with you. Going for walks, playing outside...I think you're going to love it :)

The past month or so has brought the biggest round of changes in your little life. You've rolled from your belly to your back (exciting even though you did it first for Grammy and wouldn't do it for us!). You started eating cereal at 4 1/2 months, and then veggies at 5 1/2 months. And you love to eat! So far you have loved sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, peas, and apples - everything you've tried! You also do a funny flipping thing with your tongue where you turn it sideways all the time. Silly girl :)

You're on your way to sitting up by yourself and you lunge at everything in your reach, including the cat. This past Saturday you spent your first night in your big girl crib and slept all night! I was so proud of you. You're such a happy girl when you wake up - definitely not something you get from Mommy!

You love to snuggle with blankies (and worry your mama when you smoosh them up against your face). You love tickles from Daddy. You also love eating your feet, whether they're covered by socks or not. Looking in the mirror and at pictures of your cousins and friend Kendall makes you giggle. You still have a mighty temper for someone so small, and you want to be entertained all the time. Because of this we found out you LOVED riding in your baby carrier at the grocery store this month. You smiled and laughed and talked the whole time.

I'm starting to understand those moms who told me I'd miss these early days. Soon you'll be crawling and getting teeth and starting to talk... I hope you'll still let your mama snuggle you before bed, because I'm not ready to give up my munckin snuggles just yet. I love you, sweetie, and can't wait to watch you grow in the coming months.

Love,
Mom

3 month letter to Amelia

Dear Amelia,

I can't belive you turned three months old last week! We celebrated your first Thanksgiving, and have so much to be thankful for. You are growing and changing every day - I just had to pack up some of your 0-3 month clothes and get out the 3-6 month boxes. You smile and laugh all the time, and you "talk" whenever you get the chance, especially in the morning. You have found your hands and they are always in your mouth - you try to get both of them in there at once sometimes!

In the past week or so you have become more of a binky baby and need one to calm you down when you are sleepy. You still get up once during the night most nights, but that's ok. I know we will have to move you to your own room soon, and I will miss having you right beside me.

Christmas is coming and so is the day we found out you were going to change our lives forever (Dec. 16). You were the greatest gift we could have gotten, and we love you so much!

Love, Mom

My little turkey at 3 months

A Letter to Amelia

I have actually been writing letters to my future children since I was in high school. Only a couple, mind you, but my mom wrote me a letter for my first birthday and I thought it was pretty cool when I read it years later. In the midst of the chaos of Amelia's first seven weeks of life, I took the time to write one to her and I thought I would share it.

To my sweet baby girl:

This first month or so of being your mommy has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Before you got here Mommy loved to sleep! And I haven't gotten to do nearly as much of that. And when I do you are often sleeping too - on my chest. You have cried a lot because your tummy hurts and it's so hard when I don't know how to help you.

But I am watching you "talk" to your Glo Worm now and it makes me smile - just like you have started to. And I put my thumb up to your tiny little feet and realize they are almost the same size. I get tears in my eyes when I remember cupping your fuzzy little head in the palm of my hand when you were first born because I know you're already growing so much and I am realizing everyone is right when they say I will miss these days. I just wanted to tell you that I love you already and I always will. I can't believe I am a mommy, but I am so happy and blessed to be yours.