My sweet Annelise–
Happy birthday little girl! You are growing up so fast. Momma can hardly believe it. You’re like a real little person now, not at all like a baby anymore. Two years ago today, you made me a mom, and I’m ever so grateful to have you in my life.
You’re doing so many fun things right now. You’re talking to us ALL. THE. TIME. You learn new words almost daily. You say mommy, daddy, help, up, down, off, bite, sister, yeah, no, please, amen, poop, meow, dog, baaaa. I could go on. I’m so proud of all the words you’re saying now. And a bit relieved. Just a couple months ago, I called a friend who is a speech therapist to ask her about you. I was starting to get worried that you weren’t talking enough. You would only say two words at a time. You would say them all the time for a couple of weeks and then you’d retire them and work on a couple new words. Now, you’re finally bringing some of those words out of retirement, and Mommy is breathing a sigh of relief.
It’s really fun for me to be able to talk to you and understand you and see you see the world. I love driving in the car with you. You’ll be sitting quietly or singing and then you’ll shout out something you see. ”Dog!” “Slide!” I’m looking forward to sharing more and more of these little moments with you. Moments where we really understand one another and can interact with the world together.
You are also such a big helper to Mommy right now. You throw things in the trash for me. You bring me the wipes when it’s time to change your sister. You carry your own bag when we go places and walk very nicely with me, holding hands in the parking lot. You help put toys away. You bring your sister her binky or a toy when she starts to get fussy.
You are a very loving big sister. Sometimes your love for your sister can be a little over zealous or misguided, but you definitely want to love her and help take care of her. You sit by her and put your arm around her to read at night. You run to tell me “Sister cry” when she is sad. You insist on helping sister roll over when maybe she doesn’t need help with that…
You are an equally good momma to your babies. You carry them around, snuggle them, walk them in their stroller, lay them down, cover them up. You tell me when they cry and bring me diapers when they poop. You have also seemed to name all of them “Sister”. I feel so proud of the way you care for them. I pray for you often that you will grow up to be an includer and love others well – with the same kind of love you show your babies now.
As good as you are most of the time, you definitely have your toddler moments. The other day you laid on the kitchen floor sobbing and kicking the floor because I wouldn’t let you play with the dishwasher. I’ll be honest, I really don’t know how to best handle these displays of emotion. So I videotaped you and sent it to your dad. I’m sure you’ll be happy to watch that back some day 
Every day that hour before dinner is a rough time of day. You’re hungry and needy and I have to be in the kitchen cooking. Usually Daddy can distract you so I can cook. I’ve thought several times about putting up a baby gate so you can’t get in the kitchen during this time. But, I don’t know…I guess when you think back to when you were a kid, I don’t want your memories of me in the kitchen to be of me trying to keep you out. I’m trying to think of ways you can help me more because you love to be my little helper.
Your personality is evolving more and more. You are active and hands on. You love to climb things…especially Daddy. The two of you wrestle and tickle and play on the ground every day, and you just laugh and laugh. You are very wary of strangers and give them the stare down, but around people you know well, you are a ham – the center of attention. You love to look at books and point out all the things you know. If you do something that makes me laugh, you will do it again and again and again. Even if it’s borderline dangerous. You sing in your bed. You play hard and sleep hard. You are an early to bed, early to rise kind of girl. You have no fear. I love your bigger than life personality.
I want you to know on your second birthday, my dear Annelise, that I love you more than I ever could have imagined. Being your mom has been the greatest joy, the most humbling privilege of my life. Even on the longest of days, I wouldn’t trade a second of it for life before you. You have added life to my life. You have multiplied my love. You have deepened my understanding of the Father’s love.
I love you forever.
Momma
