dear bella,
you are so full of life. i love watching you. you imagine without limits. you laugh loudly and play wildly. you love big. you have such a sweet, kind and free spirit about you. it's the biggest joy to be your mommy.
you have started calling me "mommy" rather than "mama". i can't say that i mind it after you going through a phase of calling me "mom". your little voice is the sweetest sound. i love our conversations :)
we just got back late last night from a two week vacation to texas! we had a blast. you were such a good girl. you loved spending time with all of our texas family, playing with your cousins, going swimming, hanging out with our friends (that you refer to as YOUR friends), going to church and exploring a few new playgrounds. one of my greatest blessings in life is getting to watch you have fun. i feel like you're getting older now, so you'll start remembering some of the things that we do. building childhood memories for you is something i try my best to do every day. i remember telling bampy when i was a bit older that i had the best childhood. he was so happy hearing that. i want the same for you, my sweet pea. i hope that you look back at your childhood with so much joy and happiness.
i love your confidence. you carry yourself with such self assuredness that i hope never changes. the minute you put on a necklace or a dress, you proudly march to everyone in the room and say "look at how beautiful i am!" i'm working with you on the fact that you are beautiful with or without jewelry or pretty clothes, but it's so sweet. the other day i was changing emmy's diaper and you said "phew, mommy, emmy's really stinky!" i said "yes, she had a poopy diaper and it was pretty stinky, huh?" you replied "yes. but i didn't! i'm VERY beautiful!" yesterday we flew from dallas to boston and you were pretty much perfect. really. you did so great! after we landed, the plane had emptied and daddy and i were gathering all of our belongings. you proudly marched out into the aisle and looked at a flight attendant standing near us and said "didn't i do such a great job flying on the plane?!" i hope your confidence sticks around. you've been talking so much lately about how jesus died for you, and how much he loves you. my goal as your mommy, above all else, is to reinforce that truth always. it will change the way you see yourself, the way you live in relationship to others, and the course of your entire life.
he must have the biggest smile on his face as he watches you twirl and dance and play, bella grace. he loves you more than all the grains of sand on every seashore. you are HIS.
you've been learning more and more about the bible lately, and have really taken to stories about jesus and what they mean to you. we have a book that's almost like a devotional for children. it takes certain verses and teaches you how to apply those principles to your life. you LOVE reading it and talking to me about it as we flip through the pages. we've discussed sharing, being kind to emmy and to your friends, being honest, being responsible and loving others. i can see your heart really taking in the things that you are learning... you've started being a little afraid of the dark at bedtime. we leave a night light on in your room for you, but we've also been telling you that you can pray when you are afraid. now, almost every night, you'll talk about being scared and then you'll say "jesus will help me when i'm afraid of the dark." so sweet. you love going to church and your sunday school class! we had a good laugh when you came back your first night of vacation bible school, after hearing the story of adam and eve. you were so excited to tell daddy what you had learned: "jesus ate the apple and the people were so sad." :) someone was talking the other day about their job, and you piped up "oh, i work at vacation bible school church! i play with toys and do crafts and sing songs and learn about jesus." i love seeing you enjoy those experiences, and most of all, watching you learn and grow.
you are getting so brave! your new thing now is "okay, mommy... i'll twyyyyyy (try) it". tonight at dinner you started dishing yourself up some salad. you took a couple of bites and then decided it wasn't for you. at least right now. and that's okay. you tried it! and you've come a loooong way. you've loved swimming this summer, ran through a sprinkler at nonnie and papa's house, and you started gymnastics a few weeks ago! you really enjoy it and get so proud of yourself. you listen so well to your teacher. like i wrote about earlier, you went to your first vacation bible school about a month ago, and although you were a bit apprehensive about going, the minute i took you to your classroom, you were off and running. you went in a bounce house and down a giant slip and slide! you've tried a lot of different things lately, most of which you've really enjoyed. it reminds me of how much you're growing up. i'm so proud of you, my sweet girl, for trying new things and being so brave!
you've always been so polite and do so well with your pleases and thank you's. lately, you oftentimes respond with "no thanks, i'm okay" when i ask you to do something you don't want to do. it's really cute...but still doesn't get you out of obeying :)
you're such a sweet and considerate sister. when we were in texas, emmy was pretty sick. she would be fussy and you'd come over and cradle her head with your hands and whisper "it's okay, ems. i'm right here" while you patted her hair or kissed her forehead.
we were bed buddies while we stayed at nonnie and papa's! it's disastrous to have all four of us in one room, so daddy slept in one room with ems and i slept in one room with you. i loved it. one morning, i woke up before you and just laid there, watching you sleep. all of a sudden, you barely opened your eyes and your face broke out into the hugest smile. "good morning, mommy" you said, still eyes closed and not fully awake "did you have a good sleep?"
you are in a great stage right now, bel. we still have our rough days, hard moments, and you definitely keep us on our toes, but you're mellowing out a bit and it seems as though you are in a less challenging stage (except for when you're tired and refusing to sleep at naptime!). your sweet little personality continues to amaze me. i'm just so grateful for your kind, tender heart and sensitive spirit. it seems as though you're beyond your years at the tender age of three. and i'm so glad you have spunk, girl. always, always, always stay spunky :)
you are, and will always be, one of god's greatest gifts to me. i'm having so much fun watching you grow and blossom into the most beautiful little girl, both inside and out. i am just so proud you are my little girl.
love you to the moon and back (and back again),
mommy
No comments:
Post a Comment