Dressy Bessy

My Dearest Sydney:

Today you dressed yourself for the first time. You picked out your own clothes, you put them on with almost no help, and you were proud as a pumpkin of it all.

You also peed in my dining room and made a giant mess, but I digress.

I am not sure how I am supposed to handle all of this independence and learning by you. Your little brother is 10 weeks old today and already he is smiling and doing stuff that I would not have expected; between the two of you I am starting to feel old and tired in the wake of your growth.

In any case, I am so very proud of you.

Fearless

We took you to Santa's Village today - a resurrected version but still reminiscent of the park I adored as a child.

You are less than 3 but happy and excited to go on any ride in the place - even the balloon ride that went like 25 ft in the air.

You are not always so, but today you were fearless...and brave...and full of joy.  We went up high, we spun too fast, and all I could do was watch your face, amazed and delighted at the lack of terror I found there.

You had your face painted for the first time today: you weren't afraid of that either, and marched around proudly peering through glitter- crusted rainbow butterfly eyes.  Other parents couldn't help but smile as you passed.

You almost gave ME a heart attack a couple of times today- almost too brave, too willing to walk ahead and leave me behind but I expect I will be saying that quite a bit in the next 20 years.

Beautiful words

My sweet little Sydney, how you are growing.  Today your baby brother Tyler was baptized and is 8 weeks old and tomorrow is his two month old birthday.  In a few short weeks my maternity leave ends.  The time I have with you is so precious and you are saying such wonderful things.

You say 'girls' with an old little twist that throws in the cutest pronunciation pattern - it sounds a bit like "gails".  You say "Oh, good gaaiill mommy" like you are terribly proud of me when I do something you like and say 'Oh!  That's good!"  You say cute things like "that makes my heart so very happy", one-up me on the "I love you more than" game, and tell me I am your best friend.  You call yourself a "big girl baby" and are the most amazing creature I have ever encountered.  Even when the words you say are parroted from TV shows you steal my heart.

You are part diva, part clown and part drama queen, and have a vocabulary that puts other toddlers to shame.  You are almost potty trained but refuse to go poop in the toilet; you put on your own shoes, you are fiercely independent but also amazingly affectionate and loving.  You adore your new little brother even as I see you fighting to maintain what you see as your place in my arms. 

You are 2 years and 10 months old Sydney Grace.  Today I read to you Ty's copy of "On the Day You Were Born" and I cried.  The day you were born, I began to learn a brand new kind of music that is uniquely you.  I can't help but try to sing along.

Happy Birthday Sydney Grace!

Oh, my little Sydney Grace. Today you turned Two years Old! You have been the biggest source of sunshine in my life since the day you entered it, and my heart will never be the same.

Today we took you out for a birthday lunch. Grandma Sullivan and Daddy both came and brought you to have lunch at the Red Apple Pancake House with me, and you looked SO CUTE in your purple floofy skirt and your "I Believe in Fairies" shirt. You were asleep in the car when I got you and snuggled right up to me when I took you out. We sat next to each other, and you asked so many questions and used so many words that I think you rather shocked the waitress - but not mommy. Mommy knows how freakin' smart you are pumpkin.

Anyway, darling, you are the light of my life and all that is good in my world.

And, for your birthday present this year?

Well, it looks like mommy and daddy are giving you a baby brother or sister in about 10 months, so you'll have someone to play with soon. Mommy is excited but a little scared too. Just know, that no one will ever take your place in my heart...my heart will just get bigger. Gosh knows it certainly has since you've come around.

I love you Sydney. I cannot believe you are already two years old, and I am so darn proud of you and all that you are. God Bless You, Honey. Mama loves you Miles and Miles and Bigger Than Sky.