dear bella.

dear bella,

you have decided you are ready to use the big girl potty!  i'm so proud of you.  we tried a few months ago, and you just weren't ready.  i know your personality and i know that if i try to push you too hard, we'll both just end up frustrated!  so i wanted to wait until you were up for the task, and i'm so glad i did.  you have been so proud of yourself all day!  only two accidents, and multiple treats and princess stickers for your sticker chart on the fridge.

tonight when daddy and i were putting you to bed, we were praising you for how well you've done.  you said "oh yeah.  i did awesome."  you're right, you did do awesome, sweet girl.  i hope you always have a healthy sense of pride in your accomplishments.

your hair is getting so long, we'll have to cut it soon!  but i love it.  you are so beautiful, and i tell you that all the time!  that's actually what your name means, and it's so fitting.  our beautiful girl.  when i try to brush your hair at night, you sometimes give me a hard time.  but one of your favorite princesses is rapunzel, so you've started singing "i brush and brush my hair" from the movie "tangled" and that seems to get you through the hair-brushing sessions :)

speaking of princesses... every night before bed we ask you "bella, who do you want to pray for?" and without fail, you say: "pray for prince charming and cinderella and belle.  and sleeping beauty. and ariel.  AND ARIEL!!!!!" it's so sweet and innocent and i love your niavety.  so of course we pray for all of the people that are so important in your world right now; even if some of them are fictional :)

we are working on obedience these days.  your bible verse last week (which will probably be the same verse for the next couple of weeks) is ephesians 6:1 and it's so adorable hearing your little voice say "children, obey your parents in the lord for this is right."  you're getting a bit better.  you are so strong willed and crazy-active, so that combination is a challenge for us, but it's how god made you YOU and i can't wait to see how he uses your personality in such great ways.

i love seeing glimpses of your sweet little heart.  we've been going to visit great grampy and great grammy every thursday afternoon.  this week, you kept climbing on the couch, wanting to sit right next to great grammy (i think it's because she always has treats to give you).  when we were getting ready to leave, you exclaimed "yuve you, guys!" and as we walked down the hall, you called over your shoulder "yuve you, de-ahh" (because great grammy always calls you "dear").  you've been obsessed with listening to veggie tales, praise baby and other sunday school songs/hymns on the computer, and i LOVE it.  bampy would be so proud.  one of your favorites is "oh how i love jesus" and i can just see him smile.

i just love hearing you talk.  today, i couldn't wait for you to wake up from your nap because i missed your sweet voice.  you're learning new words and speaking in more/longer sentances all the time.  i'm so proud of you!  cute phrases you say: "you kiddin me?!"  "come on, maaaan!" and when you ask me if you can do something and i say no, you say "oh, come on!"  and recently, you'll put your hand on your forehead in exasperation and say "seriously?!"  you are adorable.

one of my favorite things that you do is when me and daddy are laying in bed with you at night, reading you stories, singing songs and saying your prayers, you'll loop each of your arms around our necks and pull us close to you.  we'll often say "bella sandwich!!" and both kiss your cheeks at the same time.  tonight, you turned to me and wrapped both of your arms around my neck and stared right in my eyes, kissing my nose and stroking my face like such a little mama.  sometimes you are such an old soul; a mother hen to everyone... even me!  i can't get enough of your hugs and kisses and the feel of your arms wrapped around me.  sweetest thing ever.

love you so much, my little girl!
forever and ever,
mama