Happy Birthday, LittleG

I cannot believe it, my little duck, but you are turning five years old today! It seems like just last week, your Dad and I were bringing you home.

We wanted you so badly, and our struggle to bring you into this world was a source of sadness and frustration for many months. All of that was forgotten when we held you in our arms for the very first time. You were healthy, and Mommy was healthy, and Daddy was the proudest lion in the jungle! Those months of waiting and wondering were so worth it, and we've never regretted a moment of it!

I remember one day long before you were born, I was sitting at my desk at work, thinking that there would probably never be a moment in my life that you would not be on my mind. I did not know then how true that statement would be. You are never out of my mind, even for a moment. Even when I'm working hard at the office, or frustrated with a problem, there you are, always on my mind and in my heart.

I am so proud of you, turning into a big girl right before our eyes. I think back to those early days with you, so quiet and still. You never babbled or cooed like other babies, and I worried so much that you would never find your voice. You proved me wrong. Wrong indeed!

I hope I remember this era in your life forever. You constantly amaze me, and I love you, LittleG for all these reasons and more!

• You are smart as a whip and your curiosity knows no bounds. This is not always a good thing, and I love that.
• You still call that thing in the car a "beltseat" and that place we drive-through "Aunt Donalds."
  
• You delight in the high tech toys that surround you, but you're just as happy to spend your time with Legos or Playdoh.
  
• You keep Daddy company in the back seat on long trips in the crimson steed.
• You say "hang on a minute please" as you pass the phone to your grownup.
  
• You use words like unacceptable and inappropriate. And you use them like they are meant to be used.
  
• You are comforted by Mr. Duck and Mamma Duck, and you share that comfort with me and Daddy when you sense we need it the most.
  
• You love your doggies, and you accept their easy love from them.
  
• I love it that you know my job in life is to keep you safe and happy, and I love it that you know your Dad's got your back.
• You enjoy your Sunday lunches with Nana and "the girls," maybe as much as they do.
  
• You are so challenged by your little cousins and yet you can be so gentle with them.
  
• The little neighborhood ladies love you so, and you return their kindness with your dazzling smile and grateful heart.
  
• I love the way you hug your friends before you leave daycare for the day, and I love the way you're glad to see them the next morning.
  
• I love it that you "get it" that we should help others when we can, because we are so lucky to have so much.
• You call me on it when I'm angry with you, and you're quick to say I love you.
  
• You order my iced quad venti skinny cinnamon dolce latte at Starbucks like you've been doing it all your life.
  
• You learned our phone number without even trying, and you learned that you drink your sprite with water.
  
• You smile and say Thank You, and Yes Ma'am and No Ma'am
  
• You hold the door for a grownup or lend a helping hand to a little one
  
• You give a heart-felt "thank you" even for a gift that's not your favorite
  
• You come to me, Mr. Duck in hand, and ask for a cuddle
  
• You set the table or clean your room or help me with the laundry - you are so proud to help me!
• When you do your homework in the evenings, you use your "unraser" to correct your mistakes
  
• You constantly amaze me with good manners and politeness, and when total strangers tell me how polite you are, I could not be more proud.
  
• I love it that you let me read to you, even when you ask me for the fiftieth time to read a book I don't want to read. And I love it more that you allow me, for the one hundredth time to read the one book I love the most.
  
• You take your dad's face in your hands and kiss him square on the mouth.
  
• You hold our hands when you say the blessing at dinner, then let your dad kiss your kiss your hand before you pull away.
  
• You get sad when I have to go to the airport, and you count the Go To Sleeps until I return.
  
• You are about as compassionate and empathetic as I think a five year old is allowed to be.
  
• Your unbridled joy and enthusiasm are contagious. And exhausting.
  
• You are smart and beautiful and polite and a joy to be around.
  

I could type for days and never cover all the reasons I love you. I wanted you to have this, though, because someday I won't be around to tell you. And because someday I will be around, but you won't believe me anyway. Those days will eventually pass, but in the meantime, these words to you will live on forever.

You are my daughter, my one perfect gift from above. I cannot remember my life before you were in it, and I cannot imagine my life without you now.

So, my precious baby girl, happy birthday to you. The first five years has been a blast, and I cannot wait for all the years to come.

Happy Birthday, Angel. Mommy loves you BIG much!

PS - Daddy loves you, too, but he just doesn't blog it to the world.