four

Dear Makinley, Another year...another letter. Each time I bend over to pick you up, I'm reminded that my baby has been replaced by a little girl. A little girl who can light up a room in an instant, yet who can also turn the room upside down just as quickly. We are going through some "growing pains" with you as you seek more and more independence. Most days, it's a struggle to get you to do what we ask the first time. Or the second. Or the third. It seems as if you believe that you should do things on your own timetable and not on ours. We are working on that.

         At the same time, you are so incredibly loving. You love your brother to the moon and back and idolize everything he does. Yes, y'all fight like cats and dogs sometimes.
But, you are truly each other's best friend. I pray that never changes. You still insist on being carried way more often than you should be. I have no idea why I continue to give in. I realize that you are WAY past big enough and that I shouldn't hold you as often as I do. But, it's so hard to stop. This is it for me. Each year you get older is one year farther I get from ever having a baby in my household again, so I still find myself doing things that make me feel like you are still little. And the truth is, you ARE still little. I fully realize that 4 years from now I will be longing for the days when you were four just as I long for the days when you were a baby now.

    You have gotten so big over the last year. You lack your brother by only 1 pound and less than 2 inches. You wear all 5t clothing and you are wearing an 11 in shoes. You LOVE to dance and cheer. You don't seem to play dress up quite as often anymore, but at times, we can still find you dressed as a princess.

 You have started dance and you are loving it. I can't wait until your first recital. I have said many a time that you were born to be on a stage. You don't have a shy bone in your body. Any time I take you somewhere new (as far as dance or a "nursery" type situation), you will hide behind my leg for a split second, but it's all just for show. As soon as I disappear, you are right in the middle of whatever is going on. I don't think you have EVER shed a tear at being left. Even when you know no one. You make friends easily and you like to "mommy" kids that are smaller than you. The funny thing is that there are plenty of kids "smaller" than you that are actually OLDER than you! You are still a decent eater for the most part and you still love the same foods. You won't eat any meat unless it's chicken (and even that can be a fight). The games I've created at mealtime to get you and your brother to eat are numerous. Your daddy just shakes his head at me, but I'm just thankful that something works to get you to eat in a timely manner.

      The biggest milestone recently is that you are now CONSISTENTLY going to sleep and STAYING asleep in your own bed!!! It is a wonderful feeling to be able to read you a book, kiss you goodnight, and hear you say, "I wuv you mommy. I'll see you in da mornin'" And then truly see you in the morning. And, the funniest thing is that you want it pitch black in your room. Your brother sleeps with all kinds of lights on, but you like it dark. You always have though. You still sleep in a pull up at night, but that's okay. We've had a few times of waking up dry, but for the most part, you still wake up soaking wet. You want to sleep in panties so badly, but you don't feel the sensation that you have to go to the restroom when you are sleeping AT ALL. So, we're not quite there yet.

  You are still the most beautiful little girl in any room to me. I know I am biased because you are mine, but that's my right. There's just something about that blonde hair and blue eyes! :-)
 As with every year, I continue to pray for the girl, teenager, and young woman you will one day become. I want you to always know that beauty is only skin deep. What really matters is your character and your love for God. Outer beauty will fade, but inner beauty will last a lifetime. I know God has perfect plans for you, and I can't wait to see them unfold. For now, I treasure every single second I have of being your mommy.
   You are one of my three greatest blessings. I look forward to seeing what your fourth year holds in store. I love you my precious, precious girl!
Mommy