Lesson #4 - Share

Sweet Soph,

I can hear you in your crib as I write this. What a good girl you are. I am beyond blessed to have you.

Today we were playing outside in the sandbox. You loved it and wanted to eat the sand and wood chips on the playground. As I was observing the other kids outside I noticed how many of them don't know how to share yet. This is such an unappealing, selfish trait in people. Of course, the kids playing outside today were little and didn't know any better. Don't be one of those kids though.

Share your toys, nice words, and smiles. Share your happiness, your wonder for life, and your well mannered spirit. Share your food with those that don't have any and your friendship with everyone. Share! It's important and it will make you so much happier when you learn to give what you have so others can be happy too. An unselfish person is one of the most attractive traits in a person. Be that person.

I sure love you, Sophia. What a blessing you are in my life. I wonder every single day how I got so blessed to have such a perfect, well mannered, happy, easy baby. Never change. Okay? I love you, Sophie. I always have and I always will. XO

Love,
Mom

My Sweet Soph,

You're growing so big and it's happening far too fast. You're 1! It seems like you should still be a few months old. Where did this past year go? I always thought people who said that were dumb and exaggerating. I was wrong - so wrong. This past year has gone faster than I've wanted or have been able to capture. Just like that it slipped away. I still can't believe it.

We went out for a one-year-old birthday shoot with grandma yesterday and this is what we came up with:

I thought going into this shoot that you'd only eat about 1/4 of the cake. I was wrong - very wrong. You ended up eating the entire cake all to yourself. You are your father's daughter. You love to eat. You never get full. I love that about you.

The past week or two I've watched you explode with curiosity, wonder, and adventure. I can't tell you how fun it has been to watch you explore, find interest, and try to figure things out. You're so smart and getting so big. Please never lose that sense of wonder. I love that about you.

Slow down with the growing, please. It's happening too fast. I sure love you, Soph. I always have and I always will. You never ever forget that. Ever.

Love,
Mom

Lesson #3 - Laundry

Soph,

Just a little tip about laundry - separate your whites/lights and your colors. It will make life so much easier and your clothes last so much longer.

I did a colored load of laundry tonight with one of your light colored outfits. After it was dried I finally  realized how dingy and warped the colors are.

Do yourself a favor and separate your laundry before putting it in. You'll be glad you did. I promise.

I sure love you!

Love,
Mom

My Sweet Sophie,

I just couldn't get enough of you today. Putting you to bed for the evening was the hardest thing. I wish I had hours more to squeeze you, kiss you, and adore your smile. How did I get so lucky to have such a perfect baby? I ask myself that every day.

I'm lying in bed right now wishing I could just freeze you in time - your smile with all eight teeth showing, the way you blink both your eyes when I blink at you, your love for your blanket, your petite body, the way you cuddle in when you get tired, the small gap in between your two front teeth, you laugh, your ticklish belly- every single part of you. I wish you could stay like this forever. It makes me sad knowing that you can't and even more sad to know that one day you are going to grow up and move on. You'll always my Sophie no matter where life takes you. Always.

I sure love you, Sophia Madeline Bellamy! I always have and I always will. You will always be the girl I thought I'd never get - my best friend in the entire world. Don't you ever forget how much I love you. XO

Love,
Mom