Dear Gabby,

Happy 3rd birthday to my beautiful, smart, spunky little person. I know this has been a hard and exciting year for you. You had to learn to share your mommy with our new baby, but you have also learned to be a little mommy to our baby. The love and enthusiasm you give to Noah is so sweet and special. I hope you grow up to have a very close relationship.

Over the past year, you have grown from a baby (wearing diapers, sleeping in a crib and saying short sentences) to a big girl that has mounds to say. Even though you can do such big girl things and you are no longer the baby on the block, you still have times when you want to be my little baby. That’s ok, you will always be my baby no matter how old you are.

You are the little girl I always wanted in a boy run house. You are the little person who can play fifty rounds of pretend shopping and never get tired. You love ballet and are happy dancing around the house like no one is watching. And nothing makes you happier than getting dolled up in a fancy gown with makeup. I didn’t know that playing with an offspring could be like reliving my childhood.

You have the sweetest heart even if you sometimes get distracted with terrible two year old behaviors. As the years go by, each age will bring its pluses and minuses. I loved how this year you discovered your independence, even when it meant waiting twenty minutes for you to put on your shoes. I don’t know what this upcoming year will bring but I’m so thrilled to sit front and center for it.

As you start preschool in the fall, you pass a marker that starts your life away from me. As much as it makes me sad, I’m so excited to see you grow and flourish into a real bonafide person. If you exhibit the grace you have in your time spent at home with me, I know you’ll do great.

Happy birthday to my little Ya-ya.