Happy 8th Birthday, Laura!!!

Laura,

 Tonight while you sat with my in the living room, when we were painting your new rings....I couldn't help but feel so sad about you getting older. Don't get my wrong sweetheart, I couldn't be more proud of you.....and excited for all you are learning and experiencing....I just feel like any bit of baby that you had left in you, is now gone.

 8, is a big milestone. You are now a young lady, and becoming more mature by the day! You have been such a joy to have as a daughter. I honestly feel very lucky to be your mom.

Tonight I saw you light up, when we all talked about the day you were born. I remember it so clearly, and have a hard time believing that it has actually been eight years since that life changing day. Daddy and your Grandma Jan were both in the room with me. It was so amazing and important to me to have two of the most important people in my life, with me. We got to experience that moment.....the moment you took your first breathe, together.

You know that you are not the first born in our family, but you are MY first born. You changed my life from the moment I heard your daddy tell me "you are pregnant!". I was very young when I became pregnant with you. 20 to be exact. I had already been a mommy to your brother for 2 years. I thought I had it down pat....and then you came into this world, and completely changed everything I thought I knew.

To this day, you are teaching me more and more. Not only about parenting, but about myself. You have been such an important part of our family, and we would not be whole without you.

This year I was told that you are reading at a 5th grade level.....and you are only in 2nd grade. You have kept your teacher busy with finding new things to keep you interested and challenged. You are so incredibly smart and try so hard, that I know you have big things waiting for you in your future. Tomorrow you will be receiving another award at school. I can't put into words how proud you have made me. Every day, I'm proud of you.

You are so caring and kind hearted. You want everyone around you to be happy, and for things to always be fair for everyone. Thank you for being the amazing big sister that you have been. You help me at the drop of a hat, and are happy to do it. You play school daily with William and Katie, and I must tell you....those two little ones look up to you so much. They believe everything you say, and have put so much trust in you.

Thank you for being a wonderful little sister for Nicholas. You two will sit and play board games for hours, and seeing you with your own relationship makes my heart so happy.

Laura, I hope you always remember to stand up for yourself.....and know that what YOU think, is very important, and extremely valued. Always put forth this amazing effort that you have in school. You will go so far in this world.....I just know it.

I want you to grow up and continue to be happy. No matter what you chose to do in life, just do anything that makes you HAPPY. Happiness is so incredibly important.....don't ever settle.

Remember that your family will always be by your side. Rooting you on, and smiling with pride!

I love you so much, sweet Laura Elizabeth. I always will.

Happy Birthday!

Love, Mommy

<3

          Let's take a look at how much you've grown since you were born!!


               Me and you, when I was about 6 months pregnant with you.

 

The day you were born.

 

                                                                    Two weeks old

 

 

A few weeks old.

 

 

                                 My absolute favorite picture of you and Nicholas together.

 

 

FIRST birthday!

 

                                                               SECOND birthday!!

                                                                  THIRD birthday!!!

 

FOURTH birthday!!!

                                                                   FIFTH birthday!!!

                                                                   SIXTH birthday!!!

                                                              SEVENTH birthday!!!!

                                              
                                                               
                                                                EIGHTH birthday!!!!!!!

 

My sweet girl, you have grown into such a beauty, on the inside and out!! I love you so much!

 

 

<3

 

 

Happy 3rd Birthday, William!!!

My sweet William,

  I'm not sure how you are already three years old. I've learned since being a mommy, that time goes by far too quickly. You turning three makes me happy and sad, at the same time.

Watching you grow and learn, has made me such a happy mommy. But seeing how fast you have moved from being a baby, to a toddler, has brought some tears to my eyes. I'm so afraid of you growing up too fast.

I've been blessed enough, to be able to be a stay at home mom. I have been able to kiss you goodnight, cuddle with you in the mornings, and play all afternoon. I've always had my little buddy by my side. You have been such a great little boy to spend my days with.

From the moment you were born, you have been such a sweet little boy. Always wanting mommy to kiss you and to hold you. At three years old, that still hasn't changed. When I go to the store on my own, you say "you stay with me!" You just love to have your mommy with you all the time. I don't mind. :)

This year you have started making friends at your practice preschool class. It took you some time, but you have begun to open up and have fun! You used to make me say your name each time we went to the class, when the teacher asks each child their name. Now you say it yourself! You get so excited when I tell you we get to go to school. You tell me, "I will say my name!". I'm so proud of you.

You are the baby of the family....even though you refuse to let ANYONE call you a baby. You are such a big boy! You have been such a great little brother to your siblings. They absolutely adore you....even if you have a hard time sharing sometimes!

Your sense of humor is only one of the many things that I love about you. You are witty and never miss a beat when there is a joke to be said. You keep us all laughing with you!

You have become a very strong willed little boy. You are sure that you can do every little thing, on your own. I hope you always remain so sure of yourself, but never be afraid to ask for help.

I hope you stay so generous and happy. So many people in this world grow to be unhappy adults. I hope you continue to spread your happiness to everyone. I hope that you continue to grow to be a good solid person. I hope you make good choices, but when you slip and make a bad choice, that you learn from it. I hope you help others often, and smile at everyone you pass. I hope you always work hard for what you want, and take time to love life.

I am so proud of the little boy that you have grown to be. You are sweet and respectful, kind and smart. You have taught us all to be patient and to be more kind to others around us. I'm proud every single day, to be your mom. I feel lucky to be the one to call you my son.....to know that for as long as I live, you will be my little boy.

Thank you for making our family whole. For making my heart whole. I love you son, I always will.

Love, mommy

<3

Lets take a look at how much you have grown over the past three years!

 

Mommy loves you William Robert. <3