Mary Elizabeth

My sweet Mary Elizabeth. Saturday you will be six months old and as I look at you, I am overcome by emotion. Time affects us all, but it seems to have an accelerated pace during the first year of life. I have memorized every feature of your face, your little fingers and toes, and your chunky tummy and legs, and yet this little body of yours will change so much over the next few years. The sound of your laughter and cry, which I could pick out of a crowd now will change and its music will be forever hidden in my memory. The nuances that make you you will fade into memory where they will be barely recognizable in a few years.

Even though I am so excited about the little girl you are becoming, today I hope I never forget:

The dimple in the middle of your chunky cheek that you love to show off.
Your little tuft of hair on the top of your head that is just thick enough for a little bow.
The smell of your sweet baby breath.
Drooly kisses.
How much you love playing with your tongue. You love sticking it out and making raspberry noises.
How you sing yourself to sleep. How you chew on your blankey when you are tired.
How your body flails and you squeal with delight when I pick you up after you have slept.
How you go from your "death cry" to smiling instantaneously when we pick you up.
If someone makes you smile, you smile back and shyly duck your head.
How your flirty eyebrows move up and down when you are looking at someone you love.
How Matthew makes you laugh the easiest.

Lord, thank you for this day. Help me to never take this time with my baby for granted. Thank you for the gift of my Mary Elizabeth.