Happy Birthday Sophia!

by Brittany on September 20, 2008

My daughter Sophia, my firstborn, turned 2 today. I cannot even imagine my life without her after these last 2 years which have been both the shortest and the longest years of my life. The shortest because I cannot believe that they are gone and that I will never again see all these firsts and the longest because so much has happened and she has grown up so much, as have I.

I have changed dramatically and have learned so many things about life and about love. It is hard to put into words, but for you my precious Sophia, I will try.

My Dearest Sophie,

The day you were born was the most amazing day of my life. I have never before been so overwhelmed with life’s bounty. I have never before truly believed in the miracle of life. I was closer to God on the day you were born than I have ever been before, as I have never been and never will be more grateful for any one gift he has given me.

While I was pregnant with you, I remember feeling so excited and nervous to have you in my life, but when you were born I felt calm and energized to have you with me. I had wanted a baby girl for so long and I had dreamed of a baby named Sophia for years. When we had our ultrasound we could not wait to find out what we were having, and when we saw that you were a girl, I could not contain my tears of joy. We immediately told people that Baby Sophia was in my tummy. We told Nanna and Papa. We told Grandma JuJu and Grandpa Tony. We told your Aunties Tay Tay and Katie and your cousins Sam and Lily. We told everyone that you were coming, and we were all overjoyed.

When we came home from the hospital, our house became your first home and for that, no matter where we live, this house will be special.

Here, in this house, you first learned to eat from my breast, and I have never before felt so close to someone and also so important to someone. That I could feed my baby girl was another miracle. Every moment that we spent heart to heart, even those that were less than comfortable, are precious to me. We were literally attached for most of each day in those first days, and that experience is unforgettable.

Here, in this house, you smiled for the first time, you ate your first food, you took your first steps, you learned to speak and to dance and to sing. Recently, you even learned to do a somersault. I was and still am, so proud of that little somersault. It makes me think you can do anything you little monkey.

As I think about our first 2 years together, I remember so many things, but some I think about every day when I see you. Some things I never want to forget. Here are just a few.

Until you were almost a year old, we thought you were a lost member of Kiss…you always had your tongue out – WAY OUT – and we sent your pictures to everyone because you made us laugh so hard.

I never want to forget how you looked all bundled up that first winter, and how much you loved when we put hats on your head. I think you may have been born cold like your mama, and because I wanted you to look sassy, you had a lot of hats. My favortie one was a purple beret style hat that I put you in all the time. Now your favorite color is purple like mine. I wonder how long it will be before you stop liking what I like and I am trying to cherish every moment that you are trying to be like me. It means the world to me to be the one you copy.

I never, ever, ever want to forget your first real smile. You were in your swing and you let out a little yelp around 4 weeks old and started beaming. You didn’t really stop smiling after that and every time I felt my heart get bigger, but I caught that first smile and you should know it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

I will always remember our first time at the beach, and I can’t wait to spend summers with you on the sand forever. You love the water and the sand. You love to swim, just like your dad. You are fearless and jump in whether or not our arms are out. You love to go under. You love to be dunked. One of your most used words these days is pool. The other is swimming. You are not only my monkey but my little fish.

I know that someday soon you will have hair and we will put it in ponytails and braid it and be able to use all those hairbows that you love so much that will not stay in the wisps that now cover your head. My little bald baby, I do not want to forget how cute you are and how you don’t need a lot of hair to be the prettiest little girl in the world.

I never want to forget how it felt the first time you said mommy or the first time you said I love you. I will always remember that instead of saying “you love me” you say “you mommy”. I want you to know that when you laugh I am in heaven and that when you sing it makes my day a good one.

These are just a few of things that I will never forget. There are thousands of things that make you totally unforgettable!

I want you to know that even at 2, you are a good big sister, and that your hugs and kisses for your baby brother are so sweet and so special. You have so much love for Miles and you already know how to make him giggle and where to tickle him. You are already my little helper and yes, you are already one of my very best friends.

Sophia, on your 2nd birthday, there are so many things that I remember, so many things that I will lock away in my heart and never forget, but more importantly, there are so many things we have left to experience together. You and I will have a lot of fun this year, and next, and the year after. You will always be my best friend, even when you don’t know it. No matter what, I will always love you and be here for you. You are an amazing little girl, and I am blessed to have you in my life.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Love,

Mommy

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