Happy Birthday Carinna!

Dear Carinna,

Today you are TWO years old. I can hardly believe how quickly the time has gone! Lately I have been trying really hard to remember how you were as a newborn...but I have to admit...it's becoming fuzzy! That may be because Cooper is only 6 weeks old and I'm sleep deprived...but part of it is because I haven't discovered how to remember every detail of your life.



I do remember how tiny your features were when you were born. I remember looking at your impossibly tiny face and wondering what you would be like as you grew. I remember almost being afraid to have you because our family is so used to boys and I wasn't really sure what to do with a girl! I also remember that it took you months and months to sleep through the night...but then again...I remember not minding too much since it allowed me to sit and hold you in the still darkness of your room and soak up the feeling of your tiny little body while I could.


These days you crack us up constantly! You are such a ham and so dramatic...but in a good way...usually. You copy everything that we do and EVERYTHING that Caden does. It drives him crazy! I'll notice at various times throughout the day that you are watching every move I make and mimicking it the best you can...especially when it comes to taking care of your baby brother! You wish that I would let you care for him yourself...but you settle for caring for your babies. You are constantly wiping their bottoms, strapping them in the car seat or loving on them. You are certainly a little mommy!

A year ago I predicted that you would be a real talker...and I was right on! You love to read books out loud...you don't want them read to you...you want to read them yourself! You also LOVE to sing and dance! Right now your favorite songs are Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes (thanks to Aunt Jill), Itsy Bitsy Spider and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. You and Caden dance to the Imagination Movers songs all the time. Dad and I absolutly love to watch you dance...there is nothing funnier!

You still love to snuggle...and I am so very happy about that! We snuggle in the chair every morning and watch Elmo...it's one of the highlights of my day! You love to wrap your arms around our necks and squeeze as hard as you can! It's the best feeling in the world! Every time dad comes home you practically climb up his legs...you can't wait for him to hold you and throw you in the air...which is easy to do because you are still so tiny!


You are quite a fashionista too! You love to dress yourself...which can be frustrating at times. The following conversation can often be heard coming from your closet:
Me: Carinna, do you want to wear this?
Carinna: NO
Me: How about this?
Carinna: Ummm, NO
Me: This?
Carinna: no
I've learned to just not ask. But whatever clothes I put you in, you always accessorize! Hats, belts, shoes, jewelry...anything you can find. It is always fun to see what you will be wearing each day!

You're such a wonderful addition to our family! I am so thankful to have a sweet little girl...though I think you'll be tough enough to handle yourself with your two brothers. They better watch out! You're going to be bossing them around in no time!

I love you so much and am so thankful for you! I pray that you will continue to be the sweet loving girl we know you to be. I hope you will keep your adventurous spirit, your strong will, your loving nature and your spunk! I look so forward to seeing what your future holds...I know that whatever it is will be amazing!

Happy Birthday sweet Carinna Grace!