Today is your birthday, Elizabeth. Two years ago today, at 12:30 am, you entered into the Piper World of Fun, kicking, screaming, and ready to conquer, well, everything. Here we are, two years later, and it's still all about you. And really, we don't mind at all.
(although, Adam may have something to say about it).
We've learned so much about you over the past two years. But more importantly, we've learned so much FROM you. You dazzle us on a daily basis with your brilliance and charm. We're so proud that you know all your colors, your ABCs and can count to eleventeen without assistance.
You can string entire sentences together, and have learned how to "work the system." On the way home from the babysitter's house the other day, you cried because you wanted Daddy to holdy you. Daddy explained that he couldn't holdy you while he was driving, but as soon as he got home, he would be delighted to holdy you. You paused a moment to think of a more reasonable solution and responded, "Daddy, STOP CAR."
Your appetite comes and goes and your preference for food borders on the bizarre, especially for a child of two. You prefer a spoonful of bleu cheese dressing over a piece of chocolate. Guacamole is one of your favorites. You would eat sour cream by the bucket if we let you, and if there's a black olive within sight, you'll claim it as yours in seconds. Since you weight a mere 21 pounds, we don't often stop you from eating anything, even if your entire meal consists exclusively of "Bippy Sauce." We're grateful that you eat ANYTHING.
You're not potty trained yet, but we're in no rush. You've expressed an interest, and will gladly sit on your Poohbear pottychair and read a book whenever Daddy has to use the bathroom. You grunt and make "poopy noise" too. You're so close, but we're not going to set you up for failure with all the changes around the corner. You'll tell us when you're ready, and as long as it happens sometime before prom, we're ok with it.
You received half a dozen baby dolls for Christmas and your birthday. I think we're all hoping you're going to be a fabulous big sister, and the baby dolls will help you prepare for the job. We love watching you care for them. You feed them, you rock them, you take them on your sit n spin, and you use your little drill to perform dental surgery on them. We think you're going to be a GREAT big sister and Adam will have really nice teeth.
Adam arrives in five days. I'm so torn between guilt and excitment that I don't know how I should feel. Part of me is so thrilled that we're adding another member to our family. Another part of me worries that I'm taking something from you. I worry that you're going to feel left out, or snubbed somehow, and the thought of it tears at my heart. You're always going to be my big girl. Nothing will change how I feel about you, or the fact that I will always do anything for you to make sure you are as happy as you can be.
But in the back of my mind, I know you're going to breeze through this transition flawlessly. One of the wonderful traits you've inherited from your father is the ability to go with the flow and adapt to any situation without missing a beat. It's no wonder I adore you both so much. I guess this means that Adam is destined to inherit a few of my traits and be a paranoid, OCD hypochondriac. Lucky boy.
You've embraced every challenge we've presented to you so far. You loved swimming lessons and were so proud to parade around in your tiny wetsuit. We can't pass the school without you frantically waving your arms and screaming "Pooah! Pooah! Pooah!" We're already eager to enroll you in the next class, and we're sure you'll love it as much as you loved the first one. With such enthusiasm, we can only assume that you're going to welcome Adam with open arms and shower him with as much love as you have showered on us.
We're proud of you, kiddo. And no matter what happens over the next few months, we're going to do our damndest to make this as easy on you as possible. We're expecting some rough patches, but if we stick together, take time to smell the roses and enjoy each other, everything will be fine.
What can I say, kiddo? You're irrestisable and we can't help do anything but absolutely adore you. Happy Birthday, Elizabeth. We love you very, very, very much.
