dear emmy,
you are so cute i can't even take it. some days i want to just freeze time and keep you just the way you are, right now, forever. your chubby cheeks and rolly elastic-squeezed wrists. your brown ringlet curls and how they bounce when you walk. your deep brown eyes. how your two front teeth stick out a bit from you sucking your thumb. the sound of your sweet little voice...
you have a way of bringing light and laughter with you everywhere you go, and that is such a gift. you LOVE babies. totally obsessed with them, actually. you're always bending over to kiss the tops of their heads, and ooohhing and ahhhing over them. "he's so cuuuuuute" you'll say. you're always carrying around a baby doll or two, and tucking them in all over the house. such a little mama. you'll even scooch down with your little hands on your knees and "baby talk" to kids who are older than you are. it's pretty funny and just adorable.
you are also a huge boss. you love telling people what to do, especially your big sister. the other morning i was at the table with my coffee and you and bella were on the couch. i just sat, watching you. you put a baby doll on either side of you, and then tucked all of you--you, bella and both babies--in with a blanket. bella had a doll in her mouth and was chewing on it (one of her habits) and i watched as you just stared for a couple of minutes. i knew exactly what was going to happen next. you narrowed your eyes and got right in her face and said "bewwa, don't put that in your mouth okayyyyyyy?" "no chew on it, you get a consequence". i have to constantly remind you that you are NOT the mama.
hearing you count is one of my favorite things. for some reason, you think the word "flower" is a number. you'll count "7, 8, 9, 10, flower, 9, TEN!!!!" and get so proud of yourself. it is so awesome.
you love to pray. oftentimes at meals or before bed, you'll just jump right in and pray over daddy or me. you always pray for whoever is sitting around the table, or our friends and family and then you'll say "jesus, haba gavah AMEN!" the only thing we can think that you're saying is "jesus, thank you for this time we have together" because daddy and i always say that when we pray. or you might be speaking in tongues. ha. either way, it's adorable.
speaking of jesus, you are slightly obsessed with church, the bible and all things jesus. i always say you're the perfect little sunday school girl. if we ask you a question and you don't know the answer you'll say "jesus" or "bible". even if it's about the weather, or what you had for snack at church. it's pretty funny. every sunday morning daddy will say "you ready to go to church?" you get all excited and your eyes get big and wide and you say "GOFISH!!!!!!" you went to vacation bible school last week at jude and lulu's church. you LOVED it. every night when i went to pick you up you were skipping and galloping in circles and singing all the songs. you never wanted to leave. the first night, we were in the car on the way home and bella tattled on you. "moooooom. emmy left her classroom two times!" when i asked you why you had run away you said "'cause. i needed to go see jesus." how could i argue with that?
you are incredibly affectionate and loving. lately you love coming over to me and kissing me, hugging me and saying "i wuv you, mama!" which is just about the cutest thing i've ever heard. today you came and sat in my lap, threw your arms around my neck and said "i wike you, mama!" so sweet. you're becoming a mama's girl, constantly saying "mama! i neeeeed you!" i know one day i'm going to be so brokenhearted over the fact that you don't really need me. so i'm trying to enjoy hearing you say that and savor those words. every night when i put you to bed you'll say "kiss!" and then "hug!" and pat my back like crazy while you squeeze me. i love it so much.
you love saying "cause" every time i ask you a question. you are OBSESSED with three things right now and need them EVERYWHERE you go: your bunny (no surprise there), a baby doll, toy keys. you freak out if we can't find them, and every time i go to take your picture, you'll hold up your keys so they get in the photo too.
you're also incrediblyyyyyyy nosey. it's pretty funny. and also can drive mama crazy! you went to greenville the other day with bella, mama and meme and literally every two minutes you'd say "what you talking 'bout, guys???" "mama, what you sayin'??" holy cow. you drive me absolutely bananas on road trips. we just got dvd screens for the car, but they don't hold your attention for too long. you're constantly asking me to pick things up for you, asking me where we're going or correcting my driving; even when i'm not driving! "gooooo, mama!" when daddy is stopped at a red light. it's nonstop. after a while i throw my hands up and say "from now on, ask daddy all your questions!!" you're nuts.
you have loved learning people's names in our family. you have memorized almost everyone's first and middle names, and it's so cute to hear you rattle them all off. you are obsessed with uncle brian, who's middle name is "albert", so therefore you name everything albert. today we were at the grocery store and the cashier was talking to you. you had your baby doll with you in the cart so she asked what your baby's name was. without missing a beat you said "baby albert". the cashier looked so confused and all i could do was laugh. how could i explain why my two year old had named her baby doll "albert"?!
your nonnie and papa were just here from texas and you had a blast with them. papa surprised you with chocolate milk and took you outside to play with bubbles and built you a beautiful, brand new bathroom! nonnie came with us to the park and got you ice cream ("pink ice cream": your flavor of choice... not strawberry... PINK!) and helped you feed the goats at treworgy's orchards. you made them laugh a lot and loved having them here. you are so blessed to have so many people in your life who love you, sweet girl. there's nothing in life quite like family.
as your personality develops, i'm starting to see new things about you i haven't seen before. all of a sudden now i'm realizing how super independent and stubborn you are. a hundred times more than your big sis. "NO! I DO IT MYSELF!" is what i hear from you at least a million times a day. i'm learning to be patient, bite my lip and step back while i watch you attempt to do something that is way over your head... and wait for you to realize you need my help before i step in. i'm realizing this will be much harder as you get older, but you are so spirited and independent and i know you will be my child who will have to learn for yourself, and i'll be trying to find that balance of helping you but not pushing you away. i want you to always feel empowered to do things, but also know when it's okay (and very wise) to ask for help. should be an interesting challenge, my girl. we can figure it out together.
i love you with all my heart. you are sweet, affectionate, fun and wild. so excited about the plans god has for your life.
love you to the moon and back (and back and back),
mama
