Birthday, Version 4.0

Ahh, my Missy P. You are four today. Four! How did this happen? How did you grow up on me so fast? It seems like only yesterday that you were on your way, a 19 hour labor, 1 hour 36 minutes of pushing and you were here, in my arms, and awesome. What an amazing four years we’ve had so far, watching you grow and develop. You are my buddy, you are my friend. We are very different and very similar which creates a lot of fun and some personality conflict along the way. But no matter what, we are a family and we love each other. You have had personality from the start:

and it continues to just get more awesome by the day.

You are so diva-fabulous that I just can’t get enough of you. You love dresses and hair stuff and love to pick out your own clothes. Your favorite colors are pink and purple (today, who knows tomorrow?).

Your vocabulary astounds me as does your reasoning. I have to stop myself in the middle of a conversation and remind myself that I am dealing with a 3 (now 4) year old and will not be out witted in this. You love love love school and reading, but funny enough I can’t hardly get you to do any of it while we’re at home this summer. Much like everything else, it must be YOUR decision. When I ask you what your most favorite part of the day is – it’s usually art though. Anything with painting and being creative you are all about. You have an imagination to die for and you often walk around making up stories. You also can “read” some books word for word – that you remember anyway – and/or will make up your own story. I love that you’ll grab a good book and dive in.

You also LOVE to dance. You have informed me that you are no longer an angel (which you were for your dance recital) you are now a ballerina and need a white tutu and slippers (ballet slippers). Hence, the upcoming Prima Ballerina Party. This summer you took tap, it takes everything we have to keep you from tap dancing on our new bamboo floor, but you’re getting it. This fall we’ll try some modern hip hop. I can not wait! I see you shaking those hips right now, ha ha – it’s going to be awesome.

As frilly as dresses and ballet can be – you’re not afraid to get down and dirty and often do. Track is another favorite of yours. You love to run, you love to compete (imagine that).  You take off your shoes the second you realize you can and run around outside (much like your Mama) any chance you can. I couldn’t stop you from jumping in a puddle shoeless after a rainstorm this week – b/c I kinda wanted to do it too And fishing! You LOVE to fish!! I love this about you, it reminds me of me.

It reminds me of my childhood, fishing with your Grandad and your Grandad-Great and Grandma-Great. Getting up early, out on the lake in the boat and having a great time together. If there’s one thing I could change, it would be giving you a chance to get more kisses from your Grandad-Great, more chances to fish with him.

You love music and dancing. In church you hang out through some or most of praise and worship so you can dance before wanting to go play.

You are independent sometimes to a fault. I love your spirit and hope that I can encourage independence without leading you down a path where you think you need no one in life – b/c we all do. But even with all of the “I can do it myself” you are the first to give me a hug and a kiss and tell me how much you love me. You love to snuggle up at night and it’s my absolute favorite part of the day when we are watching a “movie” before bed or reading a book.

Our life changed this day:

You were sooo excited to be a Big Sister. Xavier gets multiple kisses and hugs throughout the day and you tell him all of the stuff that you two will get to do together. You often end with, “Don’t worry baby brother, big sister will take care of you.” And then my heart melts and I almost cry.

You are, much like your Mama, too hard on yourself. When you can’t get something you get really frustrated and angry. It’s a concern of mine and something we’re working on. You throw your elbow down or into something that is close – I need to take a different approach and love on you, tell you it’s okay to keep trying, instead of getting frustrated by your reaction – b/c really, as I type this. I do the same thing. You teach me so much.

Point blank I am so proud of who I see you becoming. You are beyond fabulous and I can’t wait to see what you are going to do in this life!

A few of my favorites of you growing up:

You and me, day one.

I am addicted to this smile, this giggle.

You two have always been best friends.

My silly girl.

You have by now, perfected this pout.

Your imagination is like none other. You were “fishing” in Arkansas.

Your curiosity (and your hair) crack me up.

You’re an entertainer 100% of the time.

And even the attitude makes me smile (most of the time).

No matter what we’ll always be a family.

I love you baby. Happy Birthday.

Love,
Mama

(More pictures of you growing up below. Click on the pictures and you can page through).