FOUR

Dear Eloise,

You were four two weeks ago and it's taken me since then to figure out how to tell you how much I love you and how proud I am to be your Mama.

It find it amazing the way you make friends wherever we go. With other children at the park you are confident and kind, and it is wonderful to watch you introduce yourself and join in on whatever game is in play. People are drawn to you and no matter where we are you strike up a conversation with friends and strangers, telling them wild stories and sharing anything and everything that comes into your head.

You love to dance and sing and we often have kitchen dance parties to everything from Disney songs to Bruno Mars and Beyonce. I love watching you move to music and am amazed by the way you can take a tune and make up a song. Your 'hip dance' never fails to make me laugh but in all seriousness, you have a natural talent for dancing that has really blossomed this year. You love your ballet class with Ruby and I can hardly wait to see you on stage this year.

While three was not without it's challenges, you taught me to be more patient. I'm sorry for being too hard on you sometimes and that I was not as empathetic as you needed. I am sorry for yelling and I know that we both benefit from taking deep breaths together when emotions run high. I appreciate what a good listener you are becoming and how easily you understand the difference between right and wrong.

Eloise, you are dazzling. Your spirit is bright, your energy is contagious and we are so proud of the little person you have become. Four is going to be a good year.

xo Mama

Dear Eloise

Dear Eloise,

Just like that, you are three. Tonight after dinner you performed a repertoire of song and dance for us and as I watched you I kept thinking, "who is this incredible little girl?" You are no longer a baby, you are your own person with your own ideas, your own desires and nothing but determination on how to get what you want. Sometimes your willfulness makes me mad, but you always impress me by taking the time to apologize later - even when it isn't necessary - and in doing so remind me that I need to try harder to be more patient. You test me daily but I think it is because there is so much of my own personality in you.

Today we celebrated your third birthday with a party for you and your best friend Ruby. You girls are such a pair and your party was the perfect combination of both of your personalities. You both have grown so much since starting preschool six months ago and I'm thankful to have been there to watch you become more confident and more independent together. There is something truly remarkable about having a best friend and it is my hope that this is just the beginning for you girls.

The year ahead is going to bring many changes but I know that you are up for it. You are going to be a wonderful big sister and if the kind and gentle way you care for Baby Emma and your peeps is any indication, I know you are going to be a big help too. But no matter how big a girl you are, no matter how much I expect and rely on you, you are always, always going to be my baby.

I love you,
xoxo Mama

Two and a Half

Dear Eloise,

You, my boisterous, joyful, gregarious little girl, are two and a half today. You have started preschool, are speaking in full, often incredible sentences, use the potty like a big girl and are able to put on your own shoes. You love to dance and it makes me happy that you show such an interest in performing; I can only hope you will love doing ballet as much as me.

I love you more and more every day, though sometimes I am not sure it is possible to love you any more. You are such a bright light and even when you make me crazy the challenges are worth watching you grow and learn.

Don't grow too fast, my love, three will be here before I know it.

xoxo Mama

Dear Eloise

Dear Eloise,

Today you are two. You are undoubtedly the most amazing part of every day and have been since the moment I laid eyes on you two years ago.

In the last year you have grown so much. You learned to walk and talk and in the process have become your own person with a definite opinion of what you want. You are silly, sweet and sassy and even though it frustrates me when you don't listen I appreciate that you are so sure of yourself.

Eloise, your confidence is impressive for someone so small. I can already tell that you are a leader and I love to see the way other children gravitate towards you. It brings me so much pleasure to listen to you talk to your friends, to Daddy, Papa, Gaga & Unky T and even to your toys. I will never tire of your wonderful little sayings, but "I wuf you, Mama" is by far my favourite.

You have become such a beautiful little person in the last two years I look forward to every moment of the one ahead.

I love you peanut,
Mama

18 Months

Dear Booboo,

You've grown up too fast in the last year and a half. My tiny baby isn't such a baby anymore and you constantly show me how much you are already your own person. You are confident and independent, smart and funny. When I asked you the other day if you were my baby or a big girl and you proudly said, "bih-girl." I'll miss you as my sweet 'baby' Eloise but I look forward to watching you grow a little more each day.

xoxo Mommy