Bella,

I just finished reading the letter I wrote you last year on your birthday. I hope one day you will read these and know how much you are loved.

This year has been a whirlwind. You have been the joy of my heart. I am so thankful that I get to be your teacher in education and in faith.

You are still so curious. Everything needs to be touched or poked, sometimes smelled. Daddy and I crack up on a daily basis at the things you say or faces you make. Currently you like to tell us “No” about anything you can, but some of the time it’s in agreement to a warning. “Clean up your toys or Charlie will eat them – remember how he bit Cinderella’s hand off?” And you solemnly shake your head with a “No…” while grabbing toys from Charlie’s reach.

You and he have seemed to come to an understanding. If he nips you, you’ll bonk him on the head if no one is looking. If we are, you’ll throw yourself on the floor with dramatic sobs. He in turn thinks this is an amazing game and only nips more. It’s as if your screams are his adrenaline.

You are very independent. “Do it self” is heard a lot around here, from brushing your teeth to putting on your socks. You can nearly dress yourself, but still have trouble putting a shirt on and off because of the arm holes.

Napping is a bright spot in both our days. Mama gets to work and you get a much needed down time. You have Yellow Kitty, Brown Blanket, Brown Monkey, and Pink Kitty all in bed with you each time. And yes, you named them all that.

Something you do that warms my heart and makes me ache at how big you’re getting is in the mornings. You’ll quietly come into the room and check to see if I’m awake. And if not, you patter back to yours and read books for nearly a half hour.

Daddy holds a special place in your heart. He reads you the Bible stories at night, and you love to “help” him play his video games with a controller. You love to wrestle with him and Charlie. He let’s you help him make popcorn and promises to crush the “bunders” (thunder) at night.

You love Curious George, Thomas, kitties, but most of all Cinderella. I find it endearing that you have a passion for both being in the dirt with your trucks as often as possible and a love for baby dolls. You also love to follow me around the house with a wet rag and clean things. During laundry you help me carry things to rooms, unloading the dishwasher you toss all the silverware in the drawer and clap your hands saying, “Yay! Great job!”

Things you say a lot:

• Cingrella – Cinderella
• Chawie – Charlie
• “Two babies in heaven with Jesus?”
• “Sorry ____ , didn’t mean to hurt you.”
•  ”NO! NO RU-BANDS!” (rubber bands) – this when your hair was longer and we did ponytails
• “I did poo!” – this from the bathroom
• “Kitty not angry” – this is usually untrue as you’re pulling/smashing him while telling me it

Daddy and I love you so very much. Our lives are better because of you.