Normally I write to all three of you.  It’s hard for me to write to one without thinking of another… and then another child.  You three are like the perfect little puzzle pieces that fit together and make our family whole.

But this month is the month of Sawyer and Charlotte, my birthday babies!

Dear Charlotte:

You are three years old now.  THREE.  You came into this world so fast.  So furious. Between the fast labor and intense back pain, the countless curse words and buckets of sweat you were born.  Staring into your sweet face I could not stop smiling.  I’ve never experienced pain like that before, you took so much work to bring into this world but the moment I saw your face, all was forgiven. You were this perfect being.  I could not stop staring at you.  For DAYS I stared at you.  As a newborn with acid reflux, you took so much work to keep clean, so much work to keep full. An incredible amount of work to keep you content after a feeding.  You took work.  You have always took work.  You still require SO MUCH WORK.

And man are you worth it.  I mean, look at that face!  Your sweet voice will win me over even after the worst of tantrums.  You are so smart and funny.  You are WITTY.  You remind me of the me I wanted to be when I was younger and cooler but not so young that I was self-conscious.  It’s like you skipped that whole awkward stage we ALL go through and became that cool, self-assured person we all long to be.  Where did you learn this?

So often Sawyer gets the attention from us, he is easier to take to the store, easier to run errands with and just easier all around.  This month I made it a big deal to make YOU feel special, to make you feel like an individual, to make you feel important, independent and loved.  We went out a lot just you and I.   You really are my little buddy.    And with all that one on one time, you showed me this sweet girl that put everyone else first.  When we went to the store, you would pick out things you knew everyone else in the family would love even if you didn’t like that thing so much.  You always wanted to grab something for Sawyer and Daddy to make them feel special.    Just when the moment was about you, you in turn made it about someone else.

That smile I had when you were born continues to be spread across my face.

And in the craziness of this month, we took a whole day off for your birthday.  You woke up to balloons all over your room. Balloons across the ceiling and balloons blanketing the floor.

And in the early morning hours, you woke Sawyer to give him a balloon too.

You ran over to the presents that were set out and ready to unwrap as a family and tore into them before Daddy could even wake.

As you opened them, you would pass them to Sawyer and let him play too.

We went out for manicures and lunch and you saved some of your sandwich for Sawyer to give to him when you got home.

In your fast-paced world where being with you is like standing in front of a clock that is spinning forward and out of control, you delight us with your loving kindness.

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl.  I love you more than words could ever describe.

Dear Sawyer,

Five years old was always a big kid number.  My babies weren’t going to be five, at least not for a long, LONG time.  Nooo, you were going to be the sweet little baby that I could hold in my arms forever.

Everyone has heard of the phrase Mamma’s Boy but is there such thing as a Son’s Mamma because man do I adore you.  I’m going to be the crazy mom that questions all your girlfriends. Yes, no one will be good enough for you. EVER.  (Sorry ladies.)

This month was a good month for you.   After a five months of worrying about a kindergarten, you were accepted to a really amazing school.  PHEW!   My biggest goal was that you got into a school in Jefferson County and since our house is just outside of the Jefferson County line, there was no room for you in their schools. UGH.  We choice enrolled which really meant getting on the wait list and just about every school we applied to said we would be insanely lucky to get in.

Then this month Ralston called and said they had a spot for you in their class.  OMG, YAY!  We went to visit the school and I think we are both in love.  I have no doubt in my mind that you will be well cared for there.

Charlotte’s birthday came and you were not so happy about it.  You wanted it to be YOUR birthday.  You wanted balloons in YOUR room.  You wanted presents in YOUR hands.  And you wanted a party NOW.

And guess what, it’s here.  TODAY.  Today you are five.

So excuse me if this letter is a little short, I’ve got A LOT of balloons to blow up.  And presents to wrap.  Today is your day my love.  YOURS.  Just remember how kind Charlotte was to you when it was her day…

I love you like crazy.  You are and will always be my sunshine.

Kristen Elizabeth Photography wrote a letter to her children as well.  Read her beautiful letter here!