A Letter to my Daughter on her 2nd Birthday

Dear Aven,

Today you are two, and while part of me feels like you’ve been 2 for a long time because of how well you speak and how much you love life, part of me is feeling a bit mournful. You’re my baby you see, my last little one, only you aren’t so little anymore. You’ve grown so tall, have learned so many skills and talk like a 3-year-old! You love to make new friends and are always asking for play dates – you are definitely my little social butterfly! You have a big personality and an even bigger attitude. You are the quirkiest brand new 2-year-old I know!

I love how you go through life singing. Literally. Every action deserves a song and you know them all! You have a beautiful voice already and know the tunes and words to over 20 songs. I get so much joy listening to you sing to yourself as you go about your day. I love how you run and jump and dance and play. Your little body is always on the move, usually at top speed and you have no trouble keeping up with your big sister.

I think my favorite thing about you is the incredible bond you have with your sister. Your love each other fiercely and it shows. You play and snuggle and read and sleep together. You turn to her when you need help and she protects you like a mama bear. She is the first person you look for when you wake up, and you light up when she comes home from school at the end of the day. It is my fervent wish that you never lose the relationship that you have with your sister. It is precious and will carry you through so many tough times ahead.

You challenge me on an hourly basis, never taking no for an answer – determined to march to the beat of your own drum. While it drives me crazy, and makes our daily life that much more difficult, it also reassures me that you can handle whatever comes your way. That you won’t be pushed into things you don’t want. You know your mind and aren’t afraid to speak it, so I have no doubt that you will always be able to stand up for yourself. You are a strong little girl and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I have been working more than usual lately and it hasn’t escaped your notice. You have turned into a snuggle bug, constantly wanting to curl up in my lap and wrap your arms around my neck. You crawl into my bed in the wee hours each morning (or the middle of the night) and burrow yourself right up next to me and truth be told, I love every second of it. You won’t want to snuggle with me forever, and your tiny body won’t fit with mine the same way much longer so I am soaking up every minute that it still does.

Your Daddy and I love you more than you could ever imagine. Your sister brought our family into being and you have completed it. I hope you have an amazing second birthday today and a third year full of joy, discovery and endless possibility.

Love Mommy