Happy 3rd Birthday, Beatrice!

Dear Beatrice,

How do I sum up the last the year of your life? There's just so much. You're no longer a baby, but a little girl. You tell me what you want and what you don't want. You don't wear diapers anymore, and don't use bottles. And you're so smart, always catching on to new things that are said and adaptable to your surroundings.

There is almost always a smile on your face, and wherever you go, you light up a room. That's the truth. I think you're the happiest child I have ever seen in my life.

I wish that I could spend every minute with you, because you see things so differently. You're not jaded, as we all tend to become as we grow older. You're trusting, you laugh, and you don't let anything get you down for more than a minute.

At three you've become more than I ever could have imagined. I've always thought of you as my baby, but you've become so much more than that. As fast as these three years have flown by, I only want to hold onto your next year even more. Because before I know it, you'll want to be on your own and do your own thing.

The hugs. The kisses. The giggles. The tickles. The "can we, please???" The "thank you". The "i love you". There are more of all of these than I could ever ask for, and yet, I can't get enough. I hold on to these things, always remembering. When you came into my life three years ago, I didn't know what I had gotten myself into, but what I have discovered is that I truly could not be as happy as I am without you in my life.

I look forward to the next year, and teaching you a whole lot more...

And, as I did for your last birthday, I made this video for you so that when you're older, you can see that you really were all of these things and so much more.

I love you,
Mama