Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Dear Maggie,

You turn three years old today! You've been practicing holding up three fingers all morning and are getting pretty good at keeping that pinky down. Don't worry if you don't perfect the technique today, though, you have a whole year to practice!

We made waffles this morning, and you helped me mix the batter and stir the apple juice. It was so fun to see the excitement on your face as you helped me make your birthday breakfast. Then when breakfast was all ready, Cash and I sang "Happy Birthday" to you! You grinned all through the song, but at the end surprised us by bursting into tears... I gave you a big hug and you said, "I want my daddy to sing, too!" I assured you that daddy would get a chance to sing to you when we had birthday cake and candles and that calmed you down, and then we ate our food. You love your daddy, and miss him when he's gone to work. You got to go on a little Daddy-daughter date recently, and you talk more about your special night with dad than you do about the movie you saw with him! I'm so glad that you love your daddy so much and I hope that you know how much he loves you, too.

Recently you have (finally) become interested in drawing, and you've made several sweet pictures of our family (some pictures were made on your family). In most of the pictures you also include something that, upon being asked, you explain is Mommy's cell phone, or Daddy's computer. I thought this was funny at first, but then I also started to worry that perhaps you associate those things too closely with mom and dad. Perhaps you see mommy on the phone too often, or daddy working at his computer, instead of seeing us that way we should be: with you and Cash in our laps, reading books or giving cuddles. These are the things that I want you to remember from your childhood. Even now as I'm typing this little letter to you, you are on my lap, wanting my attention. I know that someday in the future attention from me will not be as sought after or as appreciated as it is now, and I try to remind myself of this, remind myself that right now I can make you so happy with the simple act of giving you my full attention. This isn't always easy, Maggie dear, because I'm not a perfect mommy, but I want you to know that I am working on it.

With the weather getting warmer here in Utah, we are finally able to venture out of doors and head for the "play-park" where you can stay for hours. Cash follows you everywhere you go and I have to watch pretty attentively because you both are avid climbers and have no fear. Being outside makes you come alive and you run and jump and laugh and play, and there are often tears shed when it's suggested that we need to get home. I can't wait to buy a home with a big backyard just for you that you can play in all day and not be hindered at all by mommy's schedule.

Maggie, you are a dear, and it's many times a day that you will say to me, "Mommy, I love you. Happy Birthday, Mommy!". Someday you will realize that "happy birthday" is a once-a-year sentiment and not an everyday expression of love, but I will miss it when you do. I will miss your lisp, and your baby face, and the way you pucker your lips to give a kiss. I will miss the way you sing the ABC's, leaving out half the letters and re-composing the tune to your liking. Some of these things will begin to disappear as you continue to grow into a little girl, and leave toddler-hood behind. And as much as I look forward to getting to know 3-year-old Maggie, just know that 2-year-old Maggie will always, always have a little place in my heart.

I love you my dearest,
Love, Mom



9 comments:

john said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE!! we all love you very much!! i'm sorry i'm a little late on your birthday present. i will get it up to you very soon though!
love, aunt sarah, uncle john & scarlette.

BBC said...

what a touching letter for maggie! you should print out a copy for her to have in the future! i know i would love a letter like that from my mom! :)

kelly said...

happy birthday! i can't believe how old she looks! you are so good with your letters. your kids will love them one day.

Erin said...

Happy birthday, Maggie!! You are getting so big. I'm so happy that you are learning so much and enjoying life with your family. We love you! - Aunt Erin & Uncle Cliff

ashley said...

Kat, that was really beautiful. I can't believe your baby is three! I love the photos of her. Give her a kiss from all of us...Happy Birthday Maggie!

Bringhursts said...

Pretty dang cute. Happy birthday, Maggie!

Brandon and Amber said...

Okay....now you made me cry, which isn't very nice in my condition! That was so sweet! I hope Maggie had a great birthday and that Ben sang to her extra loud!

Tom Quinn. said...

I would sing to her myself if I weren't too busy crying......now I'm too busy eating a sandwich.

Me, myself, and I said...

Just wanted to stop by and say what a cute family, It is valuable that good young families share their ideals online and it reminded me of this thought by President Ballard: --Elder M. Russell Ballard, an apostle in the Church, told the mostly Mormon, graduating students at Brigham Young University-Hawaii to use the Internet — including blogs and other forms of “new media” — to contribute to a national conversation about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Keep up the good work, wholesome families (with adorable babies)are vital~ love, ~Sister Boyer~