My Baby Girl,
Your Mommy's a little sappy after watching Nights in Rodanthe with your Daddy. (That Nicholas Sparks will get you every time!) I got to thinking a lot about you, and I want you to know that I'll always love you no matter what. More than anything I'd love to have the kind of relationship that always gets stronger through everything that we will inevitably face. Looking at your sweet little face in the picture frame above the tv, already you've changed so much since that day. I can't believe how fast you're growing up, and I know it'll seem like seconds and you'll be in school, then high school, then who knows where.
I really hope that you never hate me when you're a teenager. I hope you'll always feel that you can confide in me. I'll never tell your secrets, I promise. And you can cry any time you want. It's ok, believe me, I understand. You know, I dread the day that boy breaks your heart. But I've been there, so I promise to do the best I can to listen and love you through it.
I try so hard to take in every moment, every first, all the cute things that you're saying now. My favorite is when you ask "peez" and move your hands across your shoulders, trying to do the sign. It always makes me smile (and, of course, give you whatever you're asking for!), and I never, ever take that for granted, because I know that day will come when you'll pronounce every letter perfectly and you won't do the sign anymore. And then I'll miss these days, today, right now.
As cute as it is, it makes me sad when you see pictures of yourself just a few months ago and say "Bee-by." And I always have to say, "That's Annsley, and your Mommy's baby." When your baby girl calls out other babies in the store, you suddenly know that what you have is not a baby, but a little girl. But then again, as old as you'll become, you'll always be my baby.
I love you, baby. I'm such a lucky Mommy, and I hope that I'll always make you feel like a lucky little girl, even when you're not so little anymore. You're growing up right before my eyes, but even as I cry looking back on the past almost 17 months now, I know that we have so many more fun things to look forward to. (My goodness, can you imagine the basket case I'll be at your graduation, or worse, your wedding!)
I just wanted to tell you that and to remember what I'm feeling at this very moment. I love you, Annsley. I'll see you in the morning when you'll ask for your "O's," "boos" (blueberries are your fave) and "muck." Goodnight, sweet dreamies, Mommy loves you so much.
