Dearest little one...

Dearest little one,

It seems like just yesterday you were a tiny newborn baby, who depended on me for everything. You have grown in a flash and are now an independent little three year old. Where did those 3 years go? You were beautiful at birth, and you are even more beautiful now. You love your siblings and are a delight to us all. Thank you for being a true joy. Your siblings had to be moved out of their cribs because of you and your sister needing a bed. For the first time, I didn't have to rush a baby out of her crib. It pained me to let you get out of your crib and into a big girl bed, but I knew it was time. You're a big girl now, as much as I want you to still be my baby:). So, I took pictures of you in your crib, where you've slept for 3 years.

Then, your dear Daddy carefully put together your new big girl bed. We bought you a little toddler bed with lambs on it since you share a room with your big sister. Your room didn't need two twin beds. After all, you need some room to play! Your new bed is the perfect size. You carefully crawled into your new bed and stayed awake giggling with your big sister.

At long last, you fell asleep, like a little angel. You are one precious baby girl. We are all so proud of you. As I dried my tears, I couldn't help but smile to see you sleeping so happily in your brand new big girl bed. You saw my tears streaming down my face when I put you to bed. You looked at me and in your very own words, you said, "Mommy, I'm your big girl but I'm your baby too." Yes, my little love, you sure are. All five of you will always be my babies.

Our Baby

Our baby is now 3. That sweet angel was due on Christmas Day, so my c-section was scheduled 6 days earlier. She is a joy, a hoot, a mess, a sweetheart, a fireball, and a talker all rolled into one. She will pinch you and then hug and kiss you within minutes. We all delight in her and she knows it.

Tonight I tried to put her to bed a little bit earlier than her siblings. We read a book, I took the time to learn that she does have good reading comprehension skills, and then we said prayers together. She prayed, "And thank you for a big girl bed. A pink one. And thank you for my crib....." And I cried. I cried because we have not moved her to a big girl bed yet. I cried because I have always had a little one in a crib and there is not someone to follow in her footsteps. I cried because I am thankful for who she is and who she will be, and yet sad to see her become "big". And now I have to go find the prettiest pink big girl bed you've ever seen! :)