Our Growing Family: Letters to Leia

Letters to Leia:

Leia, these past few months you have proven to me that three year olds are completely addictive. I can’t ever get enough of you these days. From your hysterical mannerisms to your kind gestures, and your genuine happy nature, and yes even to the occasional “bipolar”episode I like to call it. You are such a joy to be around and I even find myself sneaking into your bedroom at night and climbing under the covers so I can hug and kiss you. It’s been so apparent; especially recently how fast you are growing up. I saw you the other day preparing for dance class and I couldn’t believe that my little baby girl is no longer a baby, and even no longer a little girl, but a big girl now. You do everything by yourself. And I mean nearly everything! From putting your clothes out for you and your sister every night for school, to baking cookies, purchasing items at the store, changing your sister’s diaper, potty training Nora, helping me with all the house chores, and yes, even making coffee for Daddy. I love your independent and confident spirit. You remind me so much of your Daddy. You love rules and routines and you LOVE when you and everyone else obeys them. You and your sister are soul mates. You care for her like she is your own baby. It is important to you that you and Nora are always matching. You make friends so easily and you absolutely love all of the kids at your school. You especially enjoy your teachers and if I ever even talk about one day attending Kindergarten, you immediately remind me that your teachers Chelly and Kelly will miss you too much so you can never leave their class. I love that you obey all school rules and you extremely cautious to never get in trouble.You still love swimming like a fish and we try to swim at the gym any chance we get. There have been a few times this week when my plans for work or working out fell through and it lead to unexpected one-on-one time with Mommy and Leia. Those are the dreamiest moments in life. We laugh together as if we have been friends our whole life. We know each other’s soul. You are always so protective of me and always want to make sure that I am happy and proud of you at all times. We have a beautiful bed time routine where we have our special night lights that you turn on, we snuggle in bed, read our books, then you turn off all our lights and I scratch your back until you are fast asleep. You still wake me up every morning singing “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood” and that inner happiness reminds me so much of Grandma Janice. You are graceful and lovely and everything I wish I could be. It brings tears to my eyes how much I love you and how happy you have made our family. Thank you sweet Leia from the bottom of my heart. How lucky I am to share this life with you. You are everything I have dreamed of and more.

Funny quotes:

--When you had a high fever, you woke me up in the middle of the night saying “Just 5 mls of Tylenol, please Momma—I promise I will feel better.”

--You randomly blurt out at least 15 times a day that you love me, but it’s funny that you especially say this when are embarrassed or nervous or have fallen down.

--When I tuck you in your bed at night, you say “Now don’t go to work at night when it’s too dark”

--When I told you that you can have a little bit of carrot juice, you promptly replied, "thank you Mommy, but I want a BIG bit"

--When I went out with friends at night, you check on me at 3 in the morning saying “Momma, are you here? I just want to make sure you got home safely, it was awfully dark when you left” (Remind me, who is the parent again?)

--When Daddy comes home, you immediately ask him “Hi Daddy, how was your day at work?”

--“Daddy bought you flowers for your birthday Mommy? You are so lucky to have your own prince. Can we share him?”