dear birthday girl.

Dear ella leigh,

my fante, my tunia, my charlie,

my lover-ball-cuddle-bug-a-boo...

it seems like yesterday they handed you to me, a little ball of bones that fit on my chest.

now you are so big. now I look at you sleeping and wonder how and when you turned into such a little person. you are so silly and fun, and smart and oh too cute.

you are independent and stand your ground. you sometimes forget to share and often say "thas ella's". you wave your little pointer finger, stomp your foot and say "right now" when I say "no" but it's hard to keep a stern face because it's just too cute. daddy laughs and so do I. he always gives in, and you know that.

you cuddle and kiss and love, love, love.

you twirl in your dresses, and must change if it won't spin. you love "sticky" [lipstick] and "pretty" [make-up]. you run to the mirror and admire your complete look. you compliment yourself, and others. when I'm fixing my messy ponytail and wearing sweats you melt my heart by saying "mommy so beauful."

you climb and jump and wrestle with daddy. auntie jaycee teaches you silly things like "creepy guy" and licking people's faces. you love princesses and know them all. you are learning to say jasmine [not jamis] which makes daddy so sad.

everyone loves you so! you light up the spirit of everyone you see. you say hi to the janitors at the mall, which makes me smile [and they smile too].

you won't fall asleep on your own, but you'll sleep through the night [most of the time] in your pack n' play at the foot of our bed. you've never once slept in your crib for more than 20 minutes. you take naps, and I just stare at you in awe.

you sing. you've always sung. you follow the melody and know all the words. you know which princess sings which song. you dance, you've always danced. it makes us smile. we dance with you and that makes you smile too.

if I could put it into words I would tell you how very deep the love I have for you is. it makes my heart melt. it bursts through my soul.

I can't believe that you are two years old.

I can't believe that when asked how old you are you can actually answer correctly.

I can't believe that you are almost potty trained, with little effort on my part.

I can't believe you know your colors and can count to twenty.

You are unbelievably amazing!

happy birthday little miss. lady!

you will forever be our little beautiful, goofy, gnarly, snuggle princess.