Happy Birthday Baby

Dear Liliane,

Today you are four. Four years old and already well on your way to big-girl status. 

Your favourite meal is ham, cucumber, red pepper and bread in any form. Also squeezy yogurt and Oreos. 

I am continually amazed by your wicked sense of humour and love of practical jokes, pratfalls and farts. You adore Dora and anything Princess in equal measures.  You are completely bilingual and speak in a completely charming franglais.  You are gentle and patient with your baby sister and can almost always get her to stop crying and give you a huge, gummy grin. She idolizes you already.

You have an opinion about everything and a streak of stubbornness that Grandma and Grandpa keep reminding me will be a GOOD thing.  You now have a pretty good grasp of the concept of "consequences" and we're working (hard, so very hard) on time management.  Particularly in the morning and just before bed. Ooof.  The phrase "strong-willed child" was coined just for you. 

Your wholly independent spirit is matched only by your fierce attachment to me.  Meltdowns are less frequent but HOO BOY, they are epic.  The phrase "no means NO" is a frequent one around here. I find myself hoping desperately that you will stand just as fearlessly in front of your peers in the face of all the temptations of adolescence. But one thing at a time.

When we're snuggling together reading a story or at prayer time before bed or when you leap into my arms at daycare you are just... my baby.  My first-born, the one who changed my entire life and filled my heart with ridiculous amounts of love.

You are proof that children are so much more than the sum of two parents. It's a privilege to watch you grow and I can't wait to see what amazing things you will do with your life.

Love you forever,

Maman