“G’morning, mama” you say, running into our room in baggy pajama pants.
“I slept all through the night,” you spout proudly – though the sun has barely peeked over the mountains. Without a word more, you snuggle the side of my expanding belly.
Later, you stretch out your legs to show me how long you’ve grown in the night. And, baby girl, you have.
Wispy blonde hair that falls in your eyes, blue eyes – the color of hydrangeas in the spring, the sweetest round cheeks. You still walk on tippy toes, hands on the hips.
You like peas and corn, watermelon and frozen blueberries, peanut butter balls and gummy bears. But NOT meatballs. And most definitely not tags on your clothes (we have to cut them all off).
Favorite past-times? Dressing up as Sleeping Beauty. Telling princess stories in dramatic voices. Digging in the sandbox in the afternoon sunshine. Riding in the Kelty on daddy’s back. Pretending to be a mommy. Playing chase and hide & seek. “Reading” chapter books, with amazing concentration.
You sing songs about Je-sus and pray ferverently for “people who don’t have food” – and you list family members by name (including your not-yet-born baby sister).
Sweet little girl with impeccable manners, you say “peas” and “tank YOU” and “I’m sawwy” and “Xcuse me.” That tender heart of yours can’t stand raised voices or BIG “no’s.” A peacemaker, that’s what you are.
AND a negotiator. ME: “We have to shampoo your hair tonight.” YOU: “Tomorrow?” ME: “I don’t want any grapes right now.” YOU: “Just try?” ME: “Try not to suck your fingers.” YOU: “On my next birthday, I do that.”
Words to describe you? You are empathetic. Intelligent. A defender. An introvert (we think). Rich in love and thoughtfulness.
This world is a better place with you in it. Always has been. Always will be. We love you, Liv.
