Dear Ace and Mae,
It's been a while yet again since I last wrote a letter to you. So much has changed in just one year. The phrase the days are long but the years are short is the mantra that we live by around here. Your giggles fill the house, as the piles, forts, and imagination spread throughout it as you play and run and chase each other. You are so loud and yet (most of the time) so happy.
Spring has arrived and so has the sunshine. Trips to parks, walks, and playing in the backyard has returned as possibilities without frostbite and being soggy from the rain. I am so looking forward to more of the fun outdoor adventures that we'll have as the spring turns to summer.
Mae, since my last letter where you were telling everyone you were three (yet you were two) you have turned three, and yet now you tell people you are five (like your brother.) You are constantly are informing us, with your hands on your hips, that you're a big girl now (and you nod in affirmation in case anyone had doubt that should help cement that as fact.) Sometimes we will refer to you as Baby Girl - and you are quick to respond with your arms out to either side and sort of looking down your nose "Yah, but I am not a REAL baby. I'm a big girl." Yes, that is true. You love to snuggle, you are constantly requesting more hugs and kisses before bed or before I leave.
Ace, you're growing up - you're set out on some personal brave adventures recently - and I'm so glad you're seeking independence, I hope you learn the best way to express that independence though and exercise bravery that doesn't leave me hyperventilating. You're killing it at school and you're doing so well. You're reading so well, and I most especially love to hear you read to your sister. I hope you continue to love and protect your little sister every day.
Mommy loves you both so much and it's hard to believe that time flies go by so quickly. You might drive me crazy on the day to day life - but every gray hair and mess it well worth it. As you continue to grow and stretch your world views please hold onto your budding faith in Jesus and lean on him to know right from wrong.
All my love,
Your mom
Dearest Ace and Mae,
Mommy loves you so much. It seems impossible that you've grown so fast and that you find ways to surprise me every day. I love being your mommy!
Ace - you're constantly fixated on something and have an compulsive desire to satisfy it. Sometimes that means that you'll get into trouble for excessive pestering - you've heard the phrase 'asked and answered' a few times in recent months. But I love that you have drive and determination to set your mind on something and seek out multiple ways to accomplish it. Yes, often this is finding a way to go play video games - but sometimes it's to play outside, to watch a movie, to stay up past your bedtime to read. You are afraid to fail and I encourage you to not let that stop you. Always try even if it means temporary defeat - see it as an opportunity to strive toward betterment on the road to greatness. I adore listening to you learn to read. Nothing makes my heart melt more, Ace than when you stop in the middle of life to say "Mom, I love you." I love you too, Bear!
Mae - you're my sweet baby girl. You have tenacity and attitude rolled up into a ball of cuteness that makes it hard to get mad at you. Although I do wish you'd sit down in your car seat for me. I love that you, like your brother, have a desire for books. I love your sense of fashion and your driven purpose to dress yourself. Mommy tries to allow you the freedom to pick your style. It's important, even if the adults find your outfit choices to be puzzling. You're such a tiny articulate little girl. Full sentences, big words, bundled into your time frame is a sense of wonder for many and amusement and pride for mommy. Your soothing comfort is to touch mommy's tummy and while I know our time for that is nearing an end, I love it and I love you, Mae.
I love that the two of you play so well together - that you laugh hysterically at each other's antics, you tickle and wrestle, and that you Ace allow your little sister to copy you without frustration. Sure you have your moments - often surrounding Mae wishing to 'share' something of yours Ace - but for the most part you love each other and want to spend time together.
Why do I pen this letter to you? Because I love you and I want you (and I) to remember in years to come the little things that made you special in the now. You two are growing so fast. Mae, you constantly are already telling us you're three - even though you just turned 2 a few months ago. Ace, you'll be 5 soon and starting kindergarten. Time is so fast and yet so cherished. You two have my heart and as I said - I love being your mommy.
Love,
Your mommy
Dear Mae,
It seems like just yesterday you made your arrival on a chilly January afternoon. It's hard to believe that you're a mobile, squeally, communicative almost 9 month old now! Where does the time go? I love that you light up when you dada enters the room. I love that you ask for 'mama' and look for me in a room.
You have started to try out waving 'bye-bye' although I think you're still trying to decide if it's for you or not. You are walking along the couch and go after what you want. You have a sixth sense (I swear!) to ferret out paper and try to eat it. In fact it is a guarantee if you find paper it will be in your mouth.
You love your brother and love to play with him and you giggle when he chases you. You watch your brother all the time because you know he's your key to success. Just a moment ago I watched as you craned your neck past mommy to watch as your brother skirted past the gate blocking the stairs. You watched intently to observe what he had done and after he had completed this mission you signed with urgency 'all done' (which is your cue for mommy to put you down) and you were off to mimic what you had just observed. Now that you are taller and standing, your brother is finding it more difficult to retreat from your persistence. At the moment he still has a safe haven of the couch, but he's running out of places to run from you. I hope you are kind to him once you recognize your powers more and more.
Now that you are standing you're so happy! You love playing at the water table and splashed until you are soaked. So happy that you could finally do it after observing your brother doing it for so many weeks. Although you do have the same stubbornness that runs in the family and we are constantly telling you 'NO!' when you attempt to climb up and touch the tv. We tell you 'no' and you get the biggest grin on your face. Naughty! (But adorable, I won't lie.)
You have lost your 'good sleeper' title - now you're more average and like your brother at this age. That's ok, I know I'll miss waking up to feed you in the middle of the night whenever you do choose to sleep through the night, so I'll enjoy our time while we have it. Although a few hours break between wakings is greatly appreciated.
Mae you have an appetite for anything that we are eating - but you never want to eat much. I usually can get about a 1/3rd of a jar of baby food in you - and you're otherwise happy to just sorta chew on the food we have whether it be gyro meat (which you love!) french fries, cucumber, or pasta - you just want to explore and that's ok.
Your family loves you very much and we love that you're on the move, exploring your world, and smiley EVERY morning. It's such a joy to wake up to that smile.
All my love,
Your mommy
