12.8.2010: 18 months of Master P

Today we hung out all day and played with the babies! Master P is officially 18 months old! I wish I had a clue where the time went. It's like I blinked and my baby turned into a boy!

18 month monkey picture:) I'm starting to feel sorry for the monkey!
This month there has been a vocabulary EXPLOSION! Suddenly it just clicked! He's speaking in a few word sentences. I need ____, Up, down, he knows LOTS of food words...cupcakes, candy, gumball (thanks Courtney), ball sprouts ( brussel sprouts), roccli ( broccli) rarrets ( carrots) etc....if it is a food he knows it! He still asks for a "baba" and we still give it to him but with big plans to take it away sooner then later. He isn't a juice fan but he asks for it since Bella does!

• He LOVES balls of any sort, cars and dinosaurs.
• He knows his animal basics...cow, cat, pig, lion, dinosaur and monster:) Cars vroom, trucks vroom etc...
• He can climb ANYTHING!
• He calls Bella 'Sissy' or ' WOOWOO' ( Lulu) or 'weeelllla gaaaace'

You adore your sister so much! She still insists you are a sister not a brother but you ignore her and love her anyway!

• We're working on colors ( he knows blue, purple and green pretty well but has a harder time with red, yellow and orange.)
• He can count to 4 without help and with prompting can count to 11. He knows uno, dos, tres in spanish too! Thank you Diego:)
• Barney and Handy Manny are the only shows that tempt him to sit still for a second:)
• He knows his belly, nose, eyes, mouth ears and boobies( totally a Rick taught trick) but funny none the less.
• He knows his family, Weena( Alayna), Granma, Pop-pop, lauren and he knows Garrison but can't say it. I'm still his favorite but he screams DADDY anytime ricks around!
• He can also say Ty-ty for his buddy Tyler, Lola and Gus.
• He likes to talk on the phone and greet strangers with 'Hi' and 'Bye'. He can definitely hold up a crowd!
• He can find the one blonde girl with a big bow in any situation...he is a man with a type already!
• He had his well check and he is 80% for height( 33 inches) and 50% for weight(23.4lbs)! He hasn't gained a pound since his 6 month checkup but because he has gotten taller he has dropped in percentile! What makes me laugh is that he wears the same clothes he wore last year! I had to roll down the pants and sleeves but they still fit:) Sweet boy went from a square to a rectangle:)
• He says "mine" and 'NO' a lot! He's testing the terrible twos already:)
• Timeout is a favorite past time of his lately. He has his own pirate chair and he spends a lot of time there unfortunately:)
• You follow directions which is so awesome. We can ask you to go get socks, bring a diaper etc and you do it!
• You love to be rewarded with high fives...those are your favorite!
• You tells us you love us " wuv ooooh"
• In the morning when you wake up you wave your hand and say " I 'tinky"! So cute!

You are an exceptional boy and super sweet. You're busy, fun, cuddly, so smart and constant. You are ALWAYS moving or talking or doing something. You sweet boy have rocked our world and we are so happy to have you to love.
It's been such a pleasure to be your mommy Master P. I love you so much more than you'll ever know!

Happy Birthday to you, Bella Grace!

CinderBella the Cupcake Princess,

Oh my sweet girl, I'm not even sure where to begin. I simply cannot believe you are 3, yet as I look at you all traces of 'baby' are gone, and if I doubted it you remind me often " I your big girl mommy". Trust me sweet baby, I don't need reminding:)

The last year has been rough. You decided to take on the terrible two's head on and in your own Bella way. It's been so trying and so rewarding all at the same time. I can officially say you are in fact crazy and fiercely independent. You have already set out to take the world by storm.

This was taken a few days after you turned two and a little glimpse into what made two a little less than terrific:)


We've had some serious head to head battles already. You can already argue your point with logic that astounds me and terrifies me for whats to come. It's going to be a fun ride:) You've shown you are in fact a natural leader and most of the mischievous things you can get into, you do, and they're usually your idea. One of my favorite things about you right now is how you work so hard to get your way, it seriously just makes me laugh because most of the time you'd get your way anyway. You constantly ask for XYZ then you say " Mommy you give that to me, won't that be fun?" You crack me up!

In all the craziness of terrible twos your heart has expanded in such a way it renders me speechless. You have such a kind spirit. You're so caring and loving and genuinely kind. You have a heart for serving others and a heart for God, which makes me so proud.

The other day I was sad and crying and I heard from your tiny voice in the back of the car " It's okay mommy, God is with us all the time" and suddenly it was okay. Even though I was scared and upset you in your sweet simple way have a knack for reminding people of the important things in life.

You ask every car ride for your " Jesus music" and once I turn it on you look to P and say " Come on Piercey lets praise the Lord" which melts me. So we sing and pray for whatever it is you ask to pray for that minute and we praise the Lord because I usually can find no other thing i'd love to do more with you. Your so tiny to have such a big heart for Jesus already, I wish I could take credit for that, but I can't, so I am just grateful to have you show me how simple it is to worship our Lord! I can tell you it makes going to wal-mart less of a chore:)

My favorite things about you right now is everything. You are such a remarkable girl. You love to sing! Love to dance! You love to make Pierce giggle and you LOVE all things dress up!

The other day you were whiny! Crazy whiny and so finally I sat you down and asked " how can mommy make you not whine" and you stared up at me with your green eyes and said " Mommy I just need to dance" so I turned the radio on and we danced and danced until daddy got home. It will forever be a favorite memory of mine, you in your princess gowns twirling to praise music on the radio...so sweet.

You are a spunky girl and you totally rock my world. I love your feisty nature. You are a constant source of entertainment and laughter! You are a naturally funny kid. The things you say can make me fall down with laughter. You are silly and sweet and fun loving.
" You like to remind daddy he 'is not using
his listening ears' and you remind him you get 'no warnings when you don't share'.
You still call airplanes " hairplanes"
You still have some of your baby words and have a hard time with 'L's'...you say "wove" instead of 'love' but as long as you always tell me you 'wove' me I am okay with that!

You are kind, sincere, loving.

You like to have an option in clothing but still DEMAND bows and if they aren't big enough you tell me I should make a new one but finish your demand with " won't that be fun".

If it sparkles you're in love! You call glitter 'sprinkles'.

After making tutus and leaving the green glitter everywhere you came in our room and demanded to know why we didn't wake you up when TinkerBell came to "make our dreams come true".

You're a fan of all things princess and disney and girl! You also love dinosaurs and you like to drive your jeep in the afternoons.

You have your friends and they each get a title. Pierce is your brudder and bestest friend.
Sailer is your best friend. Avery is your favorite friend. Ben is your prince. You talk constantly about Hayden Claire your silly friend and Hudson your "boy"friend. You ask for sister like Baby Harper who at 1 isn't such a baby anymore and you know Linc and Tyler are part of the package when you play with Ben and Sailer. You love them too.

All in all you play well with pretty much everyone. You like to play barbies with Madelyn and dress up with Sailer. We play at Ben's so much you have your own dress-up box there too.

You're still a fantastic eater and sleeper.

You are my girl and you are amazing. Your beautiful but it isn't you outside beauty that makes people want to be with you, it is your inner beauty that is so alluring. People gravitate to you and you are shy but never meet a stranger. You've proven your kind nature by being nice to everyone including those kids you meet who don't look just like you, its a character trait well beyond your years and one I am so proud of.

Bella Grace, 3 years ago today you entered this world and took it by storm. You made me a mommy and a better woman. You opened our eyes to so many elements in life we'd normally just walk by. You are a constant reminder for us to stop, thank God, watch the flowers grow and the butterflies fly.

We love you so incredibly much Lulu.....T-H-I-S much and to the moon and back:)

Mommy

The last 3 years in review....


Brand New Bella 11/21/2007

One of my most favorite pictures...she is laying on my wedding dress that my Aunt Mary had turned into a quilt for me. It is monogrammed with our names and anniversary, 11/21/04 and also Annelise's date 7/23/2006. If we had a fire this is the one thing I'd grab.

Our Cupcake Princess- 11/2008

2/ 2009

Christmas 2009

March 2010

11/2010

My gorgeous TinkerBella the Cupcake Warrior:)

I can't wait to see what 3 has in store for us! I am so incredibly honored to be your mommy!

From the mouth of Bella

Bella is 2 and by that I mean C-RAZY. She is nuts. Seriously the funniest kid around. Her knack for saying the right thing at the right time is uncanny. She is hysterical and is a constant source of laughter for us. Her effervescent personality is amazing. So since her personality pretty much rules the roost I thought it was time to post some of the more memorable Bellaisms from the last few months!

• When I told her to behave or I was putting her princesses in time out she told me " No way...you wouldn't" in such an exacerbated tone I thought I was going to roll on the floor laughing. I mean who could believe i'm such a mean mommy I would actually follow through right?
• When Grandma got caught by the highway patrolman for speeding Bella rolled down her window and told him " My grandma goes SUPERFAST" :) This one still makes me laugh out loud!
• She asks everyone " Whats your name" repeatedly until you give her an answer she deems worthy. Poppy finally got it right when he told her his name was Buzz Lightyear to which she said " Good I be Woody" and refused to answer to anything but for a good 30 minutes.
• She has an alter ego. Super Cupcake only comes around when she's doing something mischievous. She also has a sidekick, Sprinkles who is our trusty dog Gus. When she thinks shes about to get caught she says " No worry Mommy 'prinkles did it" because that would make it okay.
  
• Every morning she runs to our room and declares " Goooooooooooood Morning I 'wake now"
• When she is silly and makes us laugh she stops and says " see mommy I funny"
• She thinks its hysterical to shoot stuff out of straws...lately its been peas...at her brother:)
• When she is being 2 and she knows it she'll stop and ask " Mommy I driving you crazy?"
• When we're in the store she'll stop people and ask " You wanna be my friend" to total strangers.
• When we go to get Pierce from the crib in the morning she'll mimick me and in the same tone of voice I use with him she says " Good morning Big Boy" EXACTLY the way I do but before I can get it out of my mouth. To this he just giggles:)
• When Piercey is getting into something and I'm not around to immediately rectify the situation Bella can be heard saying " NO sir Piercey we don't ( blah blah blah) that is not for babies" again in my same cadence and tone.

There are so many more funny things that come out of her mouth. She is a hysterical kid who knows not a stranger and makes friends everywhere we go.

Bella has a spunky personality that can be compared to no one. She's just Bella and once she's made up her mind there's no changing it.

We love our girl so much! She is forever a source of laughter and I have a feeling she will continue to make life interesting!

Saved by Grace

My dearest Bella,

You are 22months old now and ever the toddler. I haven't yet decided how I feel about that,not that I have much choice in the matter. You are growing so fast and I am so sad and so happy to be apart of that.

Loving you has absolutely been the best thing I've ever done. Over the last few months you have grown into this tiny person full of opinions and words and ideas. You certainly have the 'mommy' gene and use it on your brother constantly. You are a great big sister. You surprised me yesterday when I watched you 'mommy' your baby the same way I 'mommy' Pierce. You cuddled and kissed then changed her diaper and gave her more tummy kisses then popped in a binky, one you borrowed from Pierce, and then rocked and swayed as you put 'baby ni-night'. It was then at that very point in time I realized just how important my job really is.

I'm not sure i can do you justice.

I can promise you that I will do my best every day to be the mommy you can be proud to mimic. I know sometimes I yell and don't 'get' why you are screaming but I'll try harder to be more patient. You deserve that.Bella Grace you have saved me from myself so many times. Without knowing it you force me to better, at everything, because you deserve it.

In the last 22 months you have changed and grown and demand so much more. You are inquisitive and interesting and quite possibly the funniest kid I know. You still call me 'Jenny' but ever so often you'll say 'mommy' and it melts my heart. You give the best hugs and despite the fact you eat like a teenage boy you are tiny. If it weren't for you being so darn tall you'd wear your 6-12 months size clothing comfortably. In fact you are wearing your 6- 12 months clothing but it is just a tad bit short, nothing a few ruffles can't fix though!

My favorite thing about you right now is how much you adore your brother. Dr. R was right when she said that the gift of a sibling is the best thing you can give your kids. He is your whole world and from the way Pierce smiles back at you, you are the center of his. Every morning you run to his bed to see him, then you smother him in so many kisses and he just laughs and giggles back at you. Then the two of you 'wake-up' in our bed and once you gain your bearings you want to play. Every morning you ask for 'mmmmmmmmmmilk' first thing with your long drawn out country twang {we still aren't sure where you picked that up from} and then drag me and daddy into the family room to watch 'narney the ninosaur'. He's your favorite but 'melmo' still gets the best giggles. Then you play with Master P and sing and dance and give him toys. You also ask for us to put him in your stroller and you push him around. Sadly, he is just about to outgrow that:)

In the last month or two you've also started to play with your friends instead of playing at them. For the longest time it seemed like you were all playing separately in the same room with the same toys. Now you all play together and are learning to share and play nicely, it isn't always easy, but you are learning. Everyday you ask for Zach, which cracks me up. You've even named a baby 'zach'. We also hear you saying 'I love you' frequently to your baby which is very sweet. You get excited at the mention of playgroup because now you know what to expect and who you'll be playing with. You still love little gym and are timid when it comes to going to school. Lately you've started the tears as soon as leave the driveway but your teachers promise me as soon as I leave you are perfectly fine. I believe them because you are always so happy when I pick you up.

You still refer to yourself as "Cupcake" but you do know your real name and sometimes say "lella Gace" when asked. You've also started playing pretend and when you don your cape you call yourself "super cupcake". We call you lots of things but very rarely your real name. We call you cupcake and princess pea pod but mostly Lulu or Lulu Bel. You are a very silly girl with lots of silly names. Whenever anyone mistakenly uses your given name, like at the doctor, you give them the best 'what did you call me snarl'. It makes me laugh. Bella Grace fits you to a T and Isabella is just not your style.

When we get dressed in the morning you ask for bow shoes and a new dress. Every day. I've resorted to using the same tags over and over again. You don't know the difference and you think it is new. I think you might be a tad bit spoiled. I am so glad you refuse to go with a bow or something in your hair. It makes me smile:) Even if we just spend the day at home you want a bow and shoes. So if someone were to just drop by you'll probably be wearing just a bow, shoes and a diaper but perhaps a tutu or wings or your new super cupcake cape.

We're working on potty training but nothing serious. Ever so often you ask to go potty but mostly you just like to flush the potty. You've gone once and I think we scared you with the celebration:) You do make sure to celebrate with us whenever we potty. Often we find you waiting by the door where you'll say ' Jenny potty good girl' and clap. I'm in no hurry for you to be potty trained. It is the one last thing that solidifies your toddler status and I am just not ready.

What has been the most amazing thing to watch is your comprehension of the world. You talk a lot about lots of things. I'm not sure where you are finding all your information but it is amazing to hear you. Houses are big and goldfish are small. You've told us all about peacocks and even correctly identified the buffalo roaming the fields. You instantly know when we are in the Costco parking lot and start giggling and screaming 'mample yaydee(lady) pease' which gets instant laughs from anyone in the parking lot! You've also started to sing and you know the words to several songs, including the entire ABC's but the best thing is your sweet voice when you sing 'swinkle swinkle wittle tar'. It melts me completely. Itsy Bitsy Spider is still the crowd favorite though:)
We try and see Pop-pop and grandma every weekend and by Thursday you are demanding to 'talk pop pop' or begging to 'see pop pop'. Usually we give in because we can't handle the constant begging. We start the morning with strong resolve but by the afternoon one or both of us is calling to ask whats for dinner. I'm so glad you love your grandparents so much. I'm also so grateful they don't mind you calling to 'talk'. You still love all your animals and give them all hugs. Right now your best time is when you can run with Gus and play chase. That is absolutely your most favorite thing to do and the best thing in the world to watch.

You are a happy baby with lots of love to give but you receive it as well. I never thought I could love you more than I did the first time I saw you, but I do. Every day I love you more.
Watching you learn and grow has been so amazing.

I love you Lulu Bel the Cupcake Princess....

You'll always be my girl.

Forever and always,
Mommy

Letters to Bella

Dear Bella,

Today I saw a glimpse into our future. A gift. I have never doubted you but I have doubted whether you were ready to be a big sister, until today. Today when I asked where baby Pierce was you gently patted my belly. Like it clicked. And while I understand you still don't get it, I do know with confidence you will be okay. My sweet girl you amaze me. Everyday I get to spend with you is like its own version of Christmas. I wake up to your smile and even when you are totally being a toddler we have fun. You make me laugh and giggle and smile. You made me a mom. A gift I can't begin to repay you for.

There were some milestone moments today. You went to child care for the first time, and while we were separated I am fairly confident I had the harder time. I kept checking on you and while you weren't sure of everything, you weren't crying and you were silently watching as the world moved around you. You are a studier. You are crazy and loving and you are the best girl I know. Today was the first day you showed you don't need me all the time. You are the independent kid we hoped to teach you to be and will continue to teach you your whole life.
And now as I watch you bounce around in your piggy tails and squeaky shoes because right now that is all you have on, I can't help but giggle. You are my girl Bella Grace. The perfect mix of me and your dad. You are silly and independent and not afraid of much but very cautious of it all. I want to remember you as you are, in this moment, right now. Your piggy tales and squeaky shoes chasing the cat with the loudest giggle you can muster. I want to etch this moment in my mind. This is a small moment in what will be your lifetime but right now you are my little girl and that is all that matters.

You, my little cupcake, are the best thing we know. I can't wait to give you a brother. I can't wait to see the trouble you two will inevitably find yourselves in and I can't wait to see how you cover for each other. You will be a terrific big sister.

Bella Grace I just want to thank you for being you. You make my heart smile.
All my love,
Mom

Happy Birthday Bella Grace!

Bella Grace,

Simply put it has been an absolutely amazing year. I feel so blessed to be your mom. You continually make me smile and laugh and I just don't know how I got so lucky. The last year I have cried at every milestone you accomplished but also celebrated as you have turned into a beautiful little girl. It is true I miss my tiny little baby but honestly I have had the most fun watching you grow. You are my best girl Bella Grace. You have taught me love like I could never imagine. Lately you wake up in the morning and call for Dada and the best part of my day is hearing you two giggle on the monitor. It is at that moment everyday I realize how lucky I am to have you both.
Bella Grace watching you this last year has been the coolest thing I have ever done. There is nothing that can compare to you. It hasn't always been easy and we've had times where we just didn't know what to do to but you were always there with a smiling face. When Poppy got sick this year it was you who livened up things enough for us all to realize we had to go on. You bring us so much joy on a constant basis that I know I can't ever be enough for you. However, the promise stands, I will try my best to give you everything you deserve. So far I think we've done pretty well. You seem content with a sippy cup and your favorite cheddar bunnies. I wish making you happy would always be this simple.
There aren't words enough to tell you how much I love you. I'll spend every day of the rest of my life telling you and showing you, just so you know. You are a crazy little girl. Every day we spend a few hours in stitches because you make us laugh. Your personality is off the charts. You giggle and climb and throw spaghetti on the dogs. You are so funny. Your faces are priceless and your cuddles adored. You are a loving, independent baby with an effervescent personality and we wouldn't change you for the world.
I look forward to this next year with you. It will be crazy and chaotic and while the milestones will be fewer and far between I look forward to showing you the world and exploring it through your eyes. There is so much to teach you but not enough time in this life. Somethings you will learn on your own but it is my job to guide you in the right direction. So while this year is the beginning of the word 'no' it will also be an important year for us to teach you the foundations for who you will become later.
Lulu, Milk Monster, Cupcake & Love bug you are our world. You will always be our world. So while this next year you will take on a new role, a role of big sister, you must know you will remain our world. It is just getting bigger.

I have made a video of your first year. It is my gift to you. It was amazing and reminiscing and going back through pictures made me realize just how fast it went by. It seems to be a blur in my head but in my heart I have every memory etched. I will never forget holding you when you were newborn, your first giggle, the first time you crawled to me, your first "Mama" or your first step. You are my best girl, forever and ever Bella Grace.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday Bella Grace, we can't wait to see what next year brings!

All my love,
Mom

Hi people...

...Bella here, mom is sick so i thought I'd try this blogging thing on my own! Mom had to go to the doctor today and I haven't been very good at entertaining myself lately so she is extra stressed out. ( I guess my late night talking sessions aren't a good idea? She's begging me to go back to sleeping through the night, so tonight i might cut her a break, maybe, I'll think about it, but it really is fun to play at 3am!) On the way into the doctor we did run into Grandmom so that was a fun surprise. Mommy didn't really feel like talking so I did most of the chatting for her! Dr. G says mommy has a ruptured eardrum and all the fun stuff that goes with it( sore throat and cough) but because I still like 'mommy milk' he can't give her anything to make her feel better. Poor mommy.
I wanted to let you all know I got mommy the BEST mother's day present. It is going to make her cry, I just know it. See I've been thinking and thinking on what to get her and I thought this would be perfect, so I went a month or so ago and it just came today!

She's going to love it, right!!?!?! She loves my tiny hands and feet so now she can have them forever! I tried to explain that I am a growing girl but she doesn't want to believe it! On Sunday I have big plans for her...yep I've spent a long time chatting with Daddy about the perfect mother's day and i think I've got it. We are going to stay home!! Sound's great right. See we will wake up and Daddy is going to make cinnamon rolls
(Mommy's favorite treat) then we are going to lay around all day and just play!! ( the pool opens that day so we might try that out if the weather is nice)I think she is going to have a fun time- you all know how she loves to play with me and it will be so nice for her to not have to worry about cleaning or any of the other 'mommy' stuff.
We're going to celebrate with Grandma and MamaTam on Saturday but we won't get to say "happy Mother's day" to Grandmom until next weekend. See my Uncle J is getting his MBA from Duke and Grandmom and Granddad are going there. We're all really proud of him so it is nice they get to see him walk across the stage.
While I am learning this blogging thing I thought I'd show you what I can do now. I'm a very busy girl and I've been practicing moving! Anytime mommy puts me on my back I roll over and scoot backwards to where I really want to go! It is so fun but I guess mommy and daddy weren't prepared for me to move just yet. I don't get far but i worried them enough that they put up gates so the puppies won't step on me when i do learn to move. I also talk now. A lot. Sometimes i can tell mommy wants her quiet girl back but then i giggle and smile and she says she loves me. This mommy lady loves me a lot I can tell. Here is a video of me talking with daddy.

.

Sorry I am naked...it was just about bath time and this is when we have all of our heartfelt conversations. ( it was laundry day too)
Mommy says I'm too messy when i eat and my clothes are expensive so she lets me eat naked but the truth is she doesn't like to do laundry. She thinks i don't know that though...but i do like to be naked so I just play along with her! I am a messy eater, i just get so excited when i see the spoon that i kick my arms and feet and start to blow raspberries. Food is yummy and it tastes so different from my 'mommy milk'. After each bite i say "MMMMM" like i know what I am talking about but really I am just mimicking mommy, she is so silly! Sometimes though i get so excited i wear myself out and fall asleep mid bite. Mommy and Daddy think I am too cute when this happens and they just had to get it on film. So even though this is one of my more embarrassing moments I'll share the video..I really am cute!



Sorry it's so dark...I'll tell daddy to work on the lighting!

Well mom says I'm not old enough to be on the laptop so i better 'scoot' before she takes another picture of me being cute! Mommy is crazy with the camera every day I'm blinded by the flash! Please say some prayers that mommy feels better soon! I have play dates and stuff to go to but I need a driver!

All my love-
Bella

To Bella with love

My sweet Bella girl,

It’s been a while since I sat down and wrote to you, actually since the day you were born. So much has happened since that day. What inspired this letter you ask, well you of course. Today we were driving and I looked back and saw you, your bright smile, even though you were sleeping. I wonder what you were dreaming. When I looked at you I knew the times come where you are no longer a newborn, but a baby and I have to admit it got me all teary eyed.

There are times when I still can’t believe you are mine. I look at you and know that there is something so much bigger than any of this. You are truly a gift from God. It has been such a great experience watching you grow. Daddy and I figured out just yesterday that you are no longer a sleeping baby. You need to be entertained. Gone are the days of you playing peacefully in your crib. You now need toys, mommy, daddy, or something to entertain you. Sometimes even the dogs will do but mostly you just want a face to stare back at. Your giggles are infectious and nothing makes you giggle more than when we dance around the house, mommy sings to you, or daddy talks in his silly voices. You laugh with your whole body. Your smile is huge and shows your dimples. You laugh with your eyes and your tummy and you crinkle your nose. The bunny nose…mommy and daddy have done that since before we were married. It is our ‘secret’ way of saying “I love you” when we aren’t able to say the actual words. It is only natural that you do this too. You’re our little bunny girl!

Every morning you wake up and give me this amazing gummy smile then a sweet giggle before you roll over, put a hand on me, nuzzle closer, and fall back to sleep. You are a sweet girl Bella Bug, so sweet. When you are sleeping it isn’t hard to notice just how much you look like me. You have the “Krupa” nose and eyes that tell a story. Sometimes I think if I stare hard enough I’ll be able to figure out just what you’re thinking. Your eyes have a special twinkle.

Bella Grace you are a miracle. Not a day goes by when your daddy and I don’t thank God for you. Sometimes when you are sleeping I think of your sister. You look so much alike. I look at you and try and imagine what life would have been like but then I stop myself because I realize if she were here you wouldn’t be. You were what the universe had planned for us. You are so right, that even though I do miss your sister and what might have been, I know deep down that you are a true gift from God.

So sweet bunny girl, I just wanted to write and tell you, I love you. I know those words just don’t seem to be enough, but today it is all I have. I love you to the moon and back and more. You are the best thing I have ever done.

All my heart,

Mommy