you make me giggle

dear little leah,

you make me giggle. you're just too cute!

you are such a hard worker and are so persistent. i really appreciate all you do to humor me. i know you have the capability to do so many things. i also know you have to work 1,000 times harder than most other kids to do those things. and i know sometimes that just down right stinks. but thanks for trying. and then trying again...even until you're so exhausted you just can't try anymore.
and thanks for making me giggle.

i love you!

love,
mommy

just keep swimming

dear little leah,

woot woot! we have a swimmer {and it's you, in case you were wondering}. it was no easy feat, but with the help of mr. safe t. seal {so stylishly modeled for us by avery}, you have learned to balance, kick and quasi-paddle in the pool.

and you love it, to say the least.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

hush-a-bye leah

dear little leah,

what is it with you and sleep? i just can't figure you out. i'm not really going to complain because your sleep habits now are indescribably better than they were 9 months ago. but is it really necessary to wake up at 5am? and is it really necessary to scream and cry every time you wake up, no matter if you are happy or sad?

i'll answer those questions for you. no. not necessary.

in an effort to get you to sleep a bit longer, we bring you into bed with us after you wake up at 5am. this usually gets you another 2 hours of sleep. i promised myself i would never let my kids sleep with me. but let's be honest. you're a different kind of situation. and, it means i get to sleep for 2 more hours. so, pre-child promises?...out the window.
plus, you're so cuddly in the morning.

and the past few days you've been a little better. after running you ragged at parks and pools, you slept until 8am three days in a row. and today you fell asleep on the potty {more on that later}.

i'd like to say i'll figure you out one day. but i just don't think i will. i think you're just silly and you like to keep me on my toes...even when i'm trying to sleep.

but sleep or not i still love you, sweet cheeks. to the moon and back. just keep those cuddles comin'.

love,
mommy

big girl potty

{don't worry - this isn't you.}

dear little leah,

hip hip hooray! today you went potty on the big girl potty. we've practiced a lot, but usually you get too fidgety before you actually have to go.

but today, you did it!

i let out a big "yay leah!" to which you responded with a very loud shriek of excitement and probably the biggest grin i've seen on your face to date. it was enormous.

in case you're wondering: no, you won't ever be potty trained. mostly because you can't get your clothes off and yourself onto the potty. but we're hoping to 'time train' you. that way, you can learn to hold your potty and we will help you go at certain times every day. much better for you. much better for me {or anyone else doing the diaper changing, for that matter}.

but we're on our way.

i'm so proud of you!

i love you to the moon and back!

love,
mommy

my daddy

{leah here. i hijacked the blog.
i know this is used for letters written to me.
but really, it's my blog.
and today i want to write a letter to my daddy.}

my daddy is great. he's my favorite guy.

he tackles me then throws me up to the sky.
he builds great, tall towers for me to knock down.
he helps me to smile when i just want to frown.
he rocks me and helps me to calm down each night.
he makes me feel safe so i don't feel any fright.
my daddy is proud to tell others i'm his.
when it comes to finance, my daddy's a whiz.
he looks manly in spandex as he rides on his bike.
he likes to make meals and treats that i like.
he works hard all day at his big office job.
then comes home to clean up mom's messes {she's a slob}.
he takes me on walks, pushes me on the swings.
i love all the laughter to life that he brings.
he brushes my hair and picks out my clothes.
he gives me big kisses and tickles my toes.
he helps me in the tub to get squeaky clean.
i simply adore being his little leah bean.

happy father's dad, daddy! i love you.

do you believe in magic?

dear little leah,

i'm not sure how you do it. you must be magic. i wrap your arm brace as firmly as i can without constricting blood flow and somehow, somehow, you always seem to find a way to make it gracefully fling right off you arm. it is incredible.multiple times a day, i find you in one room and your brace and grip in another.i understand you love to give your dolly kisses and you love to grab for your sippy cup or anything that will make a mess at your own convenience, and the brace being on your left hand really cramps your style. but you can't fool me. i know you like the brace. i know you don't like to have your fingers in your mouth at all times every single day. i know you don't like rotten-smelling fingers and thumbs with sores on them.

i'm learning, though. i'm figuring out ways to wrap that brace tight enough without mangling your arm in the process.

magic is no match for mommy, little leah. no match at all.

love you.

love,
mommy

preschool, take one

dear little leah,

you did it! you're a graduate. yippee! hooray!
you walked down the aisle and got a diploma today.
i'm so proud of all you accomplished this year.
you learned lots of new things and showed little fear.

you're growing up right before my eyes.

i just can't believe how quickly time flies.
i'm so grateful for teachers who spend so much time
teaching you each day, helping you climb.
i get great reports of your behavior each day.
your teachers all love you, so do the kids, they say.
you are smart, you are kind, you are oh-so-much fun.
year one of preschool was a success!! you're all done!!

congratulations little girl! i'm so proud of you!!

love,
mommy

ew, gross.

dear little leah,

ew, gross.
sorry i made you wait while i fumbled for my phone, turned it on and snapped six pictures of you {you're very wiggly, you know}. but it was worth it.

the cold is on its way out! no more fever, less of a cough and just boogers left. i think you are now composed of 50% cute, 50% orange juice. a perfect mix.

i love you!

love,
mommy

home sweet home

dear little leah,

oh how i missed you! i'm so happy you had such a fun time with grandma and grandpa. grandma told me you were indispensable at helping her get around town {well, you and the garmin}. she told me all about your search for presents in the mornings, your happy days at school and your long walks and drives in the afternoons. she also told me you weren't a stellar sleeper. that's so weird! i could've sworn...

oh well.

thank you for your sweet welcome home sign. i can tell you worked very hard on it. i'm so proud of how well you are learning to color with your crayon strap. i know it's not easy, but your masterpieces are beyond words!and thank you for being so snuggly the past few days. i know part of it is because you're sick, but i'll take the cuddles either way.i love you bunches. thanks for letting me slip away so i could come back refreshed and ready to be your mom again.

love,
mommy

day 9

dear little leah,

it's here! sunday! we get to see you today. we've sure missed you. i hope you missed us. i'm so grateful we didn't have to worry about you at all. we're going to have to think of something super awesome to give to grandma and grandpa. maybe one of your famous drawings? we'll chat. have fun with your last clue and i'll see you in a few hours.

i love, love, love you!

love,
mommy

day 9 {sunday}

we'll see you so soon! today's the last present!
you are probably wondering where the time went.
this gift is a special one from mommy to you.
it's something i'm so happy you learned how to do.
when i saw them in your size i couldn't say no.
i can't wait to see you wear them and then...go, go, go!!
you'll find this last gift in my bottom dresser drawer.
i hope you know that i love you. i love you galore.