Happy 3rd Birthday Lyla Kade

Oh my Lil Bit.  I will be honest, the day you were born you kinda looked like a bulldog.  You were so swollen and wrinkled, and I got a little nervous, but look at how beautiful you have become.  You have become the sweetest, most loving, cuddley little girl I could ever imagine.  Thinking back to the day I found out your were a girl and comparing it to now is pretty funny.  I am still clueless about how to fix your hair and I'm pretty bad at keeping your finger nails painted like you'd prefer and YOUR girliness hasn't rubbed off on me much, but I think all in all, we are doing MUCH better than I imagined. 

I wish I could bottle up all the little things you do right now and keep them around forever!  For example, you call your brother, "Bub" you say "Yes" with the same accent my student from BRAZIL does, you always tell me that I'm nice or if I don't give you your way you say "Mom, that's not very nice." You always want me to pat your back at night, cover you up when you are cold on the couch. And although you are (finally) potty trained, you'd still prefer me to help you every time and hold your hands while you go.  You LOVE Max and Ruby and Dora and your bunny you got for Easter is one of your "best friends."  You ask to be called "PIncess Lyla" and tell me your (school) best friend is "Parber" (Parker Ramsey) You love playing on the Iphone or Ipad and you'll cheer for anything that sounds exciting. 

You flutter around.  You always have.  You're a little pigeon toed and you have tiny feet and you just flutter.  You are still my cautious child.  For the first time last week you climbed up onto the big playset, went down the slide and fell so of course you were done with that.  I bet you it'll be at least 3 months before you risk that again, because you are OBSESSED with not having "boo boo's" and if you even have the TINIEST cut/scrape you have to show EVERYONE!  And EVERYONE is your new friend, REAL friends, cashiers, it doesn't matter, you will show them your boo boo and then ask them to dance, or show them your pretty dress.  My mom says I was the same way.  It is just so strange because you have been so quiet and shy until recently....

But you have turned into a butterfly my sweet Lyla.  Keep fluttering.  Keep letting everyone be your best friends, keep giving hugs and kisses, and keep changing, growing, and blossoming into the little girl that I never imagined being able to create.  Keep bringing joy and smiles to all who cross your path.  This world needs butterflys.  It needs joy. It needs hugs and love.  And my sweet girl, you can give it all it needs.