Happy 2nd Birthday, Hilly!

Hilly, you are still a total mama's girl and I LOVE it. We are kindred spirits, you and me (except for your total lack of patience- that is all your dada, and he admits it freely. And your totally awesome eyebrows. One day you will be able to get them waxed to form the arch of which some women can only dream). But like me, you act first, think later. Bite off more than you can chew and end up in binds. And you are a risk taker. Thank God for the cautious types like Jackie and Daddy we have to look out for people like us on this earth! They will be your best of friends. :)

While I hope you live with me forever and we can go out for wine and I can babysit your children and basically be your BFF (second only to your sister and brother and dada, naturally), I also hope you never lose your natural ability to find everything fun or your love of freedom. I hope you are never insecure and I hope you never compare yourself to others. I hope you are always a little rough and tumble- and I hope you keep that fiery temper.

Other than get more of an awesome taste of your personality this year, you sharpened my parenting skills and gave me gray hairs. I have developed more of an eagle eye. I have chased you EVERYWHERE, every day for over 365 days. You have fallen down steps, walked around holding sharp objects, climbed to life threatening heights, had loud tantrums in front of large groups of people, and the list goes on. But you also are SO lovable- I see your face and I literally am addicted to kissing your cheeks. Your little knuckle dimples. Your shy and pouty smile when you are trying not to smile. Your athletic little feet. The way you gallop when you dance. How tightly you hug my belly when we snuggle. Your little overbite. The way you love Jackie and pull her out of her shell without even realizing it. Your enthusiasm for animals and cool things- and everything and everyone you love. The way you eat off of other people's plates when they are finished like a young Oliver Twist. The way you totally know how to kick back and relax. Your obsession with books. Your pronunciation of "elephant." How you are game for anything.

I thank God that we had you, Hilly. We were meant to be.

Love,

Mama