Happy 6th Birthday Abigail

My Dearest Abigail,
Six years ago today my life was changed forever!  It was the day you entered the world and made me a Mommy.  These past 6 years have been an incredible journey with both of us learning a lot along the way. I am thrilled with the little lady you have become.  You are so sweet, sensitive, nurturing, and outgoing.  You are creative and love arts and crafts, you can spend hours painting and coloring.  But, by far, your most favorite thing to do in the world is play with your friends.  You will be gone all day long playing with friends and the minute we get home you are on your way to see if the neighborhood kids can play.  You are constantly asking what we are doing next, if anyone is coming over for dinner, and you and your friends are always planning play dates and sleepovers.  If this is any indication of the social butterfly you will be as a teenager I guess I can plan on you only being home to sleep!

While you are on of the most friendly and outgoing little girls I know, I still see a bit of shyness in you when you are in an unfamiliar situation.  You approach things with caution, take them in, and evaluate things before you jump in.  I saw this most recently when you started kindergarten last week.  You had been talking about school all summer and you were so excited to start.  I, on the other hand, was still living in denial that my first baby would be taking that next huge step in life and starting "real" school.  I kept my mind off the reality by keeping us crazy busy over the summer, and of course, the day finally came despite my best efforts!  Somehow we managed to be ready, your backpack was ready, your lunch was packed and your new outfit was laid out. But, as excited as you were, you admitted to me a few times with big eyes and a shy smile that you were a "little nervous".  Taking you to the bus stop and watching you get on that big yellow bus and then having it pull away into the morning darkness with you on it and knowing you wouldn't be back for 7 hours filled me with anxiety.  I knew you would be fine, but I didn't see a little girl on the bus waving from the window, I saw my baby.  How was I supposed to protect you and take care of you when you are gone all day??  But, I worried for nothing because as the bus pulled up after that first day of school you came hopping down the steps with a huge smile on your face and excitedly told me about your first day of school and all your new friends.

Kindergarten wasn't the only big change for you over the past year.  Our family grew in January as we welcomed the arrival of your brother.  And, I was once again blessed to see you relish and blossom in your role as big sister.  You are so sweet to your brother and always helping by trying to keep him happy when I have things that need to get done.  You LOVE when you are able to get him to smile and laugh at you (which is all the time) and you take it personally if he cries when you are around.  You have also been great with Olivia during this transition and have taken it to be your personal mission to help her feel included.  Don't get me wrong, the sister spats have definitely become a part of our regular day but you girls truly are best friends and I am so happy and proud that you always include her and let her play with you and the big girls.  You are her biggest cheerleader and she looks up to you with crazy love and admiration.  Its a big job being the big sister and sometimes you get the short end of the stick, but you take on your responsibility with pride and I couldn't ask for a better girl to do the job!

Abigail, you are an amazing girl.  You have made our lives fuller, richer, happier, and brighter.  You have given me the best present in the entire world, you made me a mommy, and for that I will forever be thankful!  I love you my sweet girl....Happy Birthday!!

With all the love in my heart,
Mommy