a special helper

dear little leah, 

as you well know, you are now a sunbeam at church! this is big news. for awhile, we weren't sure how involved you were going to be able to be. but, thanks to some wonderful leaders {ahem, amy baugh} who took the lead and a very special helper, you are able to go to singing time, sharing time and class for the full two hours each sunday. 

sister z goes with you. and you love sister z! she helps you be involved in the lessons and songs and helps you to control your little body. if you're too agitated, she gives you a break by walking the halls or heading to your old stomping grounds in the nursery for a quick snack. 

oh, little leah. you're a sunbeam! in more ways than one, that's for sure. i'm so happy to have such wonderful people in our lives who love you so much and help you do all the things we know you can do. 

love, 

mommy

p.s. sister z writes you a letter each week detailing all you did in class and sharing/singing time. how cool is she!?

sleeping beauty

dear little leah,
your daddy loves you.
a lot.
today you fell asleep on our bed while you and i were snuggling.
and he couldn't resist taking pictures of you after your eyes fluttered shut.
he was in there for 20+ minutes.
and captured you in your element.

we love seeing you so peaceful.

love you, little girl.
love,
mommy

shades

dear little leah, 

you haven't always like sunglasses. you were born liking them. 

and we were hard pressed to find  you without them for a few months. 

then your body went crazy on you and you haven't let us put them on you since. at all. 

until claire changed everything. we went to dinner with her over the holidays and the owner of the restaurant came out and presented you all with your own pair of heart-shaped sunglasses. we tried to put them on you. you pushed them away. claire let her mom put them on. and you liked it. so we tried again and voile! if i'd only known it would be so easy.

a few weeks later, you picked out your very own pair that actually fit your head (your old velcro pair make your eyes bulge out of your head - sorry about that). and you love when you transform from "leah" into "shades" when we're in the car. it's perfect. your hands don't work so you can't ever block the sun from your eyes. so your shades do the work for you. and you look fabulous in the meantime. 

and can i just say how much i love this picture? you're like, "yah, mom. i know the sun is shining. a lot. and i don't care. it's not in my eyes. and i look cool. bring it on sun."

love you bunches, shades. 

love, 

mommy

not today

dear little leah, 

i know i haven't updated in awhile. 

i was planning to post something new today {other than this}. 

but now i'm not. 

because today i'm mad at you. 

and it's not fair for me to write about you when i'm mad at you. 

i'm only allowed to write about mean strangers when i'm mad. 

i'm tired of your mealtime antics, so you're in your room until piano starts. 

and i'll update tomorrow. okay?

will you be nice tomorrow?

i think it's a good idea. 

love, 

mommy