Its just us (for now!)

McNugget,

In one week (or less) you'll officially be a big sister and we'll officially be a family of 4. The past two months have been wonderful "just the three of us" time for you and me and your daddy, and we've been amazed at how much you've grown since turning one.

You're walking now of course, but also climbing stairs, on tables, and on the couch. You're turning into a beautiful little girl (instead of our itty baby) who can identify "where's daddy", "where's the dog" and "where's your belly"? We're trying to teach you other items now - like what various animals are called and the sounds they make - or colors. You can kick your bouncy ball and love to play outside, and we'll often go to play on the swings at our local park for a few minutes on our way home from daycare.

You like to dance the moment any music comes on, with a head bob, some arm shakes and a few squats or twists. You've decided you like the color pink as well as yellow, necklaces and bracelets; and bracelets can be anything that fits on your little hand (like the stacking rings and shower curtain rings).

You're very tall and still middle-of-the-road weight for your age. I see some really big toddlers and some tiny ones, and you seem to fit in right in the middle of all of them. You seem a little more advanced with your learning and development than others; you're patient and self-entertained most of the time, but tremendously social and loving with everyone. You're a very confident child, and its so easy to have wonderful days with you.

You're eating everything you can, although we think your appetite has wained a smidge with all the new changes you're going through. In the past two months, you've changed bedrooms (to the one you'll share with your brother), you've changed teachers and classrooms (you're now in the toddlers room), and you're down to one 2 hour nap every day.

Every moment I can spend with you, I try to- dashing from work to pick you up and getting up as soon as I hear your sweet talking voice in the morning. And when you see me, you light up and "run" over to me with a big open mouth kiss and arms out around my face. This past month you went on your first overnight sleepover to grandmom's - which made me very nervous, but helped me have a practice run before you're upcoming longer several-day sleepover while I'm in the hospital with your brother. You did excellent of course - and I managed to not drive over in the middle of the night to get you.

So for the next few days while you're still my only priority, I hope we can get as much mommy and mcNugget time as possible. I know you'll be a great big sister, and I'm very glad to have such a wonderful daughter who makes growing our family so enjoyable. I promise to make you a priority and to give you just as much time and attention as I can. I'm so looking forward to seeing you develop into the lovely little girl and big sister I know you're going to be.

Thanks for all the sunshine you bring into my life. Love you always and forever; hugs and open mouth baby kisses.

Your mama