Happy 3rd Birthday

My Darling Hannah,

Each year I sit to write you a letter and each year I struggle to find words to express the love my heart feels for you. Hannah you are truly one of a kind. You are smart, beautiful, funny, strong, independent, curious, and loving. You are my best friend and bring joy to my life every single day. Over the past year, your vocabulary has blown up. You speak in such sophisticated sentences and frequently ask questions about the world. It has been very common over the past year for people to ask you your age and when you reply 'Two' they nearly fall out of their chair. One doctor used the phrase "Most 2 year olds aren't as precocious as she." and just recently on New Years someone thought you were 4. I say all this baby girl because although you are forever my baby, those days are long gone. You are already becoming a little lady, my mini me. You can spell your name and can just about write it, you also draw awesome people and are very well behaved. It's silly to say you know letters, sounds, colors, shapes, etc., because you have known all that for a long time. You even potty trained easily a week after your 2nd birthday. Pretty much anything you tackle, you achieve. Your favorite songs to sing are "The way you look tonight" by Frank Sinatra and "You are my sunshine." You love to dance, do art, play dress up, be with granny, have sleep overs with mommy, eat donuts, take care of Jack, go to the park, go on swings, dig in the sand, play anything make believe (for hours) such as house/store/restaurant/etc., and read books. For half of the year you said you wanted to be a "baby doctor like Dr. Flora," but recently have changed your mind and say you want to be a "doggy doctor." I can see it now a big sign in your vet office "No cats allowed." Your favorite color is purple and your favorite foods are pancakes and mac n cheese. Your dislikes are candy, meat, and when someone treats you like a baby. You are VERY protective of mommy and baby Jack. You also pretty much try to negotiate anything. You make mommy laugh every single day. You have a fun spirit and do the silliest things. This year you visited Bishop and Big Bear, went to Disneyland a lot, were a flower girl for the first time in Uncle Jeff's wedding, became a big sister, went to the movies for the first time, learned to dress yourself and more. Three years ago, you gave me a gift no one else in this world can ever give, you made me a mommy for the first time. And this year, Mommy gave you a gift that no one else in the world can give, a sibling. I think that has been the high light of your year and yes, you are already making plans for another sibling. You say frequently that God is bringing them to you. Hannah, I see so much of myself in you, but then again I see so much more. Everyday you push me to be the woman that you believe I am. My greatest fear is that someday you will realize I am not. I learn so much from you. You remind me to show sympathy to others, to ask questions and explore, to try new things, to be brave even when I'm scared, to laugh and be goofy because life is short, and most of all to love with my whole heart. Some of my favorite times with you are spent snuggling, having dance parties, and just talking. I am so beyond proud of you and love you more than life itself. Being your mommy is truly my greatest accomplishment and I can't wait to see what year three brings your way. Keep smiling my little one and as you say to mommy, remember I always keep you in my heart. I love you Gracie Girl!