To Alex On Your 4th Birthday

Dear Alex,

Today you are 4 years old. You have grown so much this year. It was an extra special year for us, because looking back, we spent the most time together, just you and me, since you were born. Your sister had preschool at a different time than you did and that happened to be when your brother napped. So most afternoons it was just us. All of our one on one time let me realize you are the best storyteller. We also discovered you are quite the cook. You’d help me make lunch and then you’d help me prepare dinner in the crock pot. We spent hours together in the kitchen this past year, just us. Aside from cooking, the other thing we really enjoyed together was our afternoon rides to pick up Maggie. You’d scooter all the way to and from school. You’d dress yourself first, in a princess costume and as many accessories as I would allow for a safe scooter ride. When I think of you at 3, I will always think of you speeding down through the center of town, as fast as that little scooter could go, with a princess dress blowing behind you. 

Speaking of fast, you go everywhere fast. You are always running. You have pink sneakers that you call your “fast shoes”. In 2 weeks you start soccer and you are 100% certain  you will be the fastest girl on the field.

You are so smart. You were the youngest kid in your class and the teacher told me you would never know. You keep up with your sister with no problem, figure out how to do just about anything on your own, and shock me with how you can memorize a book after hearing it once or twice. 

We were especially proud of you this summer when you read to a dog at the library. The librarian told you the program was for “kids who could read”. So you were determined to learn to read a book before the dogs came to visit. You practiced Pete the Cat every night. When the therapy dogs arrived at the library you were ready. You confidently read to the dog you were assigned to, alongside kids much, much older. The librarian couldn’t believe you were 3 years old. 

You believe in princesses, unicorns and mermaids. When I tell you stories about them, your eyes light up. You love pink and dresses. You like all the Disney Princesses, but your favorite, by far, is Sleeping Beauty. You believe every day should be fancy and it’s always time to wear a crown. 

You love going on trips and constantly ask when we will go to another hotel. This year we traveled to Vermont, Arizona, the beach, Lancaster, PA and an overnight to New York City. 

When I look at pictures from this year I just can’t believe how much you’ve changed and grown. Over the past few months you lost your last bit of baby. I knew it was coming, because around the same age I watch it fade from your sister. We were on the beach in June and I looked at your legs and cheeks, still with that little bit of baby roundness. Your sister looked so much bigger, leaner, taller and older. You skipped around, plopping down in the sand giggling, and I savored every minute. I knew any day you’d grow and change, and look more like a big kid, like your sister. And now you do. Over the past few weeks, when I snuggle you at night, you feel so much bigger; tall and boney like your sister. But still, you are the best when it comes to cuddling. You have been since the day you were born. Like I tell you, every single night, no matter how big you get you will always be my baby. 

Happy 4th Birthday Alex Frances. You are one smart, spunky, loving little girl that makes us laugh every single day.You have the biggest, brightest eyes we’ve ever seen and your personality can best be described as vibrant. You light up our life with joy. 

Love, Mom