Happy Birthday Stella!

Dear Stella,

Today you turn 3. That is so big! You are my baby girl, my little one, my charming little brat. But you are not a baby anymore. In the past few months you have changed so much, learned to do so many new things, learned so many new words, and I had to start accepting that you are now a little girl, not a baby.

I see so much of myself in you. You are strong-willed, even a bit bossy sometimes, and you really know what you want. But you are also loving and affectionate and playful, and have a smile that makes it incredibly hard to be mad at you, incredibly hard to do anything but smile back, hug you and cover your lovely face with kisses, which make you giggle.

When I hug you, you never fight my embrace, you never try to free yourself and run off. You always, always hug me back, and my heart melts into a puddle every single time as if it was the very first.

You surprise me, in so many ways. You are a mommy’s girl, and yet you are incredibly independent, too. Going shopping with you is never a problem – you love browsing the grocery store isles as much as the clothing racks, as long as you get to pick and choose, to look at stuff and select some of our purchases.

There’s quite a bit of girly girl in you, but it doesn’t manifest the way one would expect. You don’t play with dolls much (except for your sister’s Barbies sometimes, but I think that’s because of their impressive wardrobe.) Instead, your favorite toys are my shoes, my jewelry, my sunglasses, my handbags, my hats. Those are the things you can spend hours just trying on, walking around with, putting back and trying on again, in different combinations.

In our hotel room in Orlando, FL

You remind me so much of myself! I would say you are a mini-me, but that’s not really true, because you are so much your own person. You have your own personality, your own taste, your own likes and dislikes, and like to make your own decisions.

You are so determined! And while I could file that under “typical stubborn toddler”, I know better. I know that is what you are, that who you are and who you will be is starting to shine through. That scares me a bit, because I wonder if I am setting a good example, if I’ll be able to guide you and teach you well. And then I remember how much I love you, and how much your sister and father adore you, too – and I know that because of that, things will always be a team effort, and  will always turn out alright, because that love will never fade. And that’s exciting.

You are turning 3, and already I can picture you all grown up, but I’m not scared anymore. I’m excited to be here with you, sharing your life, your experiences, your smiles as well as your tears, your passions as well as your stubborn moments. I’m here now, and I will always be here for you.

Love you,

Mom

Tagged as: how time flies, my darling little one