
My dear Jillian –
It’s hard to believe you’re 3. But what a wonderful three years it has been. You are my constant ray of sunshine. You make my bad days good, you are the source of so many of my smiles, and you make my world a more wonderful place.
Life with you is so easy and simple. You listen. You want to be a helper. You communicate so well with us. You have this energetic spunk that makes us laugh. Your facial expressions and the funny things you say never make for a dull moment. Your personality is overflowing. You love colors and know which one is everyone in the family’s favorite. And you always tell people you LOVE the color pink. You like to count, collect rocks, and watch Princess movies and almost everything Disney. I love how you call your favorite princess “Rella”. You are a singer, even though it drives your brothers nuts. Over the past year we’ve heard every nursery rhyme you learned at school, the theme songs to Sophia the First, Doc McStuffins and Little Einsteins, Let it Go from Frozen, and several songs you made up all on your own. And how could I forget how you love your Maxie girl. She’s not my dog, or dad’s dog or even your brother’s dog. She is YOUR Maxie girl and you make sure to tell everyone who comes to visit.
You’re growing to be such a big girl, but I have no idea how. Your taste for foods is limited to bread, pasta, cheese, pizza, fruit and some veggies. When you eat an occasional hot dog or chicken nugget we are in shock because you usually refuse meat. And you love yourself some cheese curls! They are your favorite snack. Peas are your favorite veggie and “graybis” (aka: grapes) are your favorite fruit.
You guard your hugs and kisses. We only get them when you are willing to give them out, and when you do I treasure the moment and soak it in. But you sure do love to cuddle and sit on laps. I love that about you and as you get older and bigger and can’t fit on my lap I think a piece of me will melt. You sit on my lap to read stories, watch movies and just to reconnect after a long day apart. And I love the comfort you find in holding my hand. I never really have to ask to hold your hand when walking in a parking lot, in a store, or just up the stairs for bed time. You instinctively reach up for my hand and look at me with a smile when your hand interlocks with mine.
I wish I could just bottle up your wonderful, carefree spirit to carry with me forever. That little quiet giggle/chuckle. Your big belly laugh. The way you pull your hands to your face with excitement just like I did as a little girl. The way you twirl in a dress and say you’re a princess. I wish you knew how many times this spirit of yours overflowed your daddy and I’s hearts with love and we just looked at each other with big smiles and said, “I can’t believe this amazing little girl is ours.”
I just adore the little person that you are Jilly. Life has not been the easiest the last several months, but you are one of only a few things that gives me peace. That gives me hope. That brings me comfort. God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave me you, my beautiful, Jillian. You are such a blessing and I count my lucky stars everyday for my sweet, sweet girl.
My love always –
Mom
…and yes – thanks to your brothers you already call me Mom at 3.