Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A private letter to my daughter on her 2nd birthday.

Dear Fifi,

Fifi. Feenie. Feenster. Trouble. Capital T. You, my third child my baby forever, melt my heart. I could end the letter right here. Wipe my hands clean of what I want to say and call it a day, "Happy 2nd birthday."

But alas, I have so much on my mind this night and I want to say it all to you. I could never live without you.

I started this blog when you were only weeks old to document our journey as a family and the first post that made me cry out loud, as I typed it, was on your first birthday.

I still, to this day, have not forgotten about the week we spent together sleeping side-by-side at the Cleveland Clinics children's neurology floor where I cradled you against the doctor's orders and cried out loud to God every night.

You. My love. Are the one that made me realize that life is so precious. I can never thank you enough and for that I am forever thankful. You are so special.



Perhaps that is why you are so incredibly spoiled with love. I have no patience in disciplining you correctly as I did with the other two. When you SCREAM "no" like a wild banshee I run to you and smother you with kisses on your neck and you turn and offer me the other side of your neck and we giggle out loud together in defeat. I was a little angry at the childless Uncle Mike, over Christmas, when he shared with my mother that you didn't understand the word no. I have thought about it for awhile and realized that you, my baby, my third child, have years to understand the word NO and in the meantime I will continue attacking you with kisses every time you have a tantrum. Because. I am so in love.

I have the time to loose myself in your laughter, your cuddles, and your scent. The other two were born close together and as a new mother I frantically made sure they were taken care off, well fed, and well manicured. With you it's a little different... all I have is time. Time to appreciate.

Yesterday, on the last full day as a one-year-old, you slept for over 13 hours and of course I ran to your room to check if you were alive. I stood above your crib watching your chest gently fill up with air, your pacifier still in place, and your blond wisps perfectly laying across your "Lalala" (princess) pillow. I watched you sleep for awhile before sweeping you into my arms, half asleep, and carried you to my bed. We were alone in our PJs for 65 minutes together again. I drew back your hair, lingered in your neck while caressing your feet, and together we sang Happy Birthday out loud. And in bed I called my best friend, whom just had her first child the day before, to see how she was doing and that is when I lost it. I held onto your chubby foot and cried out loud as it was my turn to be the wild banshee. YOU are my baby, my last, the third child that I always dreamed of having. You complete us as a family. I will never have another baby.

Sweet little Feenster, when you are in college, when the phone rings and when you hear "Knock. Knock" on the other end. It's me.

Right now. You love to dance to the gummy bear song on youtube and request it every night (that CD was the first 2nd birthday present you received from the infamous childless but brilliant Uncle Mike). You have recently discovered Play-Doh and I often find dried out pieces in my Louis Vuitton tote. You ask me twice a day "wanna paint" and point to the craft box full of brushes and jars. You rely much to heavily on your pacifier and smatka (lovely) and daddy is worried about the overbite you have developed from the countless times I have inserted it into keep you, my wild banshee, quiet. You love to jump and every strip mall we pass by you scream for "jump-jump" school, mommy-and-me gym class. Your breath is so incredibly stinky in the morning since you still demand a bottle of milk after brushing your teeth at night and we give in. I, very honestly, look forward to your breath every morning and smile. Every night before we go to bed, you lay sandwiched between your brother and sister as we read books, waiting for the time we say our prayers when you jump up and say "Amen" and we all giggle. I carry you from Jay's room to Lola's room, in my arms, as we sing "Goodnight Jay. Goodnight Lola. Goodnight siblings. Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight." When we finally reach Daddy, you pop up in my arms and kiss Daddy goodnight right after you gently caress his chest while saying, "Nice. Nice, Daddy. Nice?" And I look into your eyes and reply, "Yes. Nice." And smother you with kisses for the one hundredth time that day.

Happy 2nd birthday Feenie, with a capital T.



We are so in love with you.

Forever yours,
Mama

PS. So sorry your birthday party took place at Burger King. Not soooo classy, I know. But. You had a blast.

Did you guys make it *this* far? LOL. Giving away hundreds of dollars of anti-aging/beauty products here.

78classy comments:

Lisa said...

Oh my golly...that is such a perfectly wonderful love note.

I am even more restless for my third to be born after reading that....

Anonymous said...

So sweet! I also have a 2 year old daughter, who is my third, my last, my baby...and she laughs gleefully at the word 'No'. If you ever need someone to have a friendly little chat with Uncle Mike, just let me know.

Anonymous said...

I am totally bawling here. That was precious. And perfect. As I read it, I just kept thinking of all those things I do with my son. They are moments that I never want to forget. That was beautiful!

CC said...

Awwwwwww! I can't believe she's 2 already!!!!!

And that dang Gummy Bears song. Now it's stuck in MY head!

PS: come by and enter my giveaway! ;)

anymommy said...

Happy Birthday, baby girl. I've been thinking so much about carrying my own 'last baby' right now. This post made me look forward to every single moment of it!

Mr Lady said...

Happy birthday, little one.

Rachel said...

Happy Birthday Darling Girl.

Happy Birth Day Momma

Kelley @ magneto bold too said...

Oh Babe.

Beautiful. So beautiful.

And how do I understand what you are saying...

Happy Birthday baby girl.

Buttermouth said...

Happy Birthday Finster!

It's good to hear that Mom is still the Queen of gossip. =]

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I made it...
it's the curse of the 3rd born. My 3rd (the baby of the family) is spoiled rotten and so different from the other two.
I'm the 3rd born and the baby, too.
;o)
Happy Birthday to her!

Scary Mommy said...

I totally know what you mean, spoiling her with love. I'm the sme way with my baby. I just can't help it!

Happy Birthday, baby.

(And perfect birthday post. :))

kim-d said...

Happy, Happy 2nd Birthday, OHMommy's Baby Girl! You are the most lovel wild banshee ever :).

I cried when I read this. Beautiful. Lucky Jay. Lucky Lola. Lucky, lucky Fifi.

Just beautiful.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Feenster!

ps Daddy of all people should know a palate expander will fix everything, Glittergurl was a thumbsucker and now her teeth are beautiful. Thank you Dr Moravec.

Indy said...

FIfi is just as sweet as you say. Happy Birthday Sweet girl.

Laura said...

What a sweet heart!

Wishing her a very special birthday and wishing you all the best on this, your birthing day!

HUGS!

Sarielinka Stories said...

OH My OH MOMMY:

Thank you for sharing such sweet sentiments of your love for Fifi. I treasure your commitment, loyalty, and zest for life and creativity! Truly awe-inspiring~

Keep up the sensational blogging*

Unknown said...

oh my...it almost makes me what to have another just to feel that agin..Thank you for sharing your letter....

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Seriously the sweetest birthday letter ever!

Makes me want to have a third already...well, not quite yet.

I love it.

Beth said...

Your children are going to love your blog when they are 30. They will treasure it when they are 40.

My baby turned 10 a few months ago. I understand how these milestones take a mother's breathe away.

Ronda's Rants said...

She is beautiful!
My third, my baby marries on November 21! I have been told to pick a song he and I shall dance to...he said "Whatever you want, Mom!"
I have yet to find anything that I haven't sobbed through!
Happy Birthday...sweet baby girl!

Jessica said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIFI!!!

GypsiAdventure said...

Awe...Happy Birthday Fifi!
~K

Rach (Mommy Learns to Blog) said...

Oh, this is so beautiful. As is she! The love you have and express for your children and OHDaddy is so heartfelt and touching here online, I can only imagine how loved and secure they feel in real life. If some kids experienced only 1% of that, they'd be lucky, lucky, lucky!

(typed by a mommy whose little girl turned 4 2 weeks ago and she is still in the process of getting her love letter typed and posted - we've had a few interruptions of sickness and the like!)

Stephanie said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet 2 year old!

I forget how close in age ours are. Mine will turn 2 on Sunday :)

Kelly said...

That was absolutely beautiful. You should print that out and give that to her when she turns 18.

I can relate to so much of that. With Aiden being the 3rd and last, I've been horrible disciplining him, give in way to easily. I also spend 4 days at a Chidren's Hosptial in St Louis with him when he was only 2 weeks old and it scared me to pieces. I'm so thankful he turned out ok.

Happy Birthday FIFI!! It's been fun watching you grow on this blog!

Melisa said...

We know all about the gummy bear song. Our girls love that video also. Happy Birthday Big Girl!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Happy Birthday Fifi!! She is such a doll. And I Completely understand the third child stuff. REALLY. I'm so glad we completed our family with 3 as well.

Blessings From Above said...

What an amazing tribute to a very special little girl. Someday, Fifi will treasure this letter with all her heart.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Fifi!!!

Quarantine Hobby said...

Oh fine, make me cry at 9:30 in the morning!

Mine is almost 18 months and I am already nearing the mourning stages of losing my "baby."

Happy Birthday to Fifi!!

Courtney said...

What a wonderful post to your last baby. Can you write with more class, style & grace? I don't think it's possible.

Happy Birthday Fifi.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Fifi! Two!!! Such a big girl and so. well. loved. By a whole LOT of people.

Anonymous said...

So perfect, so beautiful.

Now I am off to catch my baby and kiss her all over!

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

Perfect, even the birthday party at Burger King.

Kari said...

How blessedly perfect!!! You have such a beautiful way with words. Question, is today her birthday or was it yesterday!? Either way, my Charlotte's 2nd birthday was yesterday!! How neat! Happy birthday Fifi!!

Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

Aww, that was so sweet!!

Happy Birthday little baby girl!!

Smoochiefrog said...

Happy Birthday to Fifi! I hope she has a great one!

haniaski said...

Happy Birthday FINSTER !
XOXO
Love,Wheaton Family

Jessica said...

How sweet! Happy birthday, Fifi!

Zoeyjane said...

Happy birthday to Miss Banshee! You have a way of making the measure of time seem too short, little one. Slow down, already - the rest of us are aging with you!

MommyTime said...

Happy Birthday Fifi! You have a wonderful, loving Mama.

Amy said...

So sweet. Made me tear up. My third just turned two as well and he's my last, my baby always.

Beautiful!

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

That was soooo sweet. Its so melancholy to have a third and final baby. I love to see my boy grow, but it makes me sad that its my last time feeding, last time watching my baby learn to crawl... etc.

Elisa @ Globetrotting in Heels said...

Happy Birthday Fifi! With a capital T :-)

Heather said...

Happy Birthday FiFi!

Dennis and Leslie said...

Dried pieces of Play-doh in my LV???? What??? Is that what happens when you have children? I don't know about all this....

Beautiful post, she will definitely appreciate it one day ;)

Tara R. said...

I'm sitting in Panera wiping away tears. Beautiful! Happy Birthday Fifi, and to you too OHMommy!

Unknown said...

This post made me weep a little.

Michele said...

How touching! I love it! She is beautiful and my Hannah still has her "ba ba" or passy only for naps and bedtime. She is my second but I notice I am not nearly as tough on her as I was Sarah. My Hannah will be three in 5 mos and I cannot believe where the time has gone.

Happy Birthday Fifi!!!

tiarastantrums said...

beautiful . . . OhMommy - you feel the same about your third as I do mine! Just lovely words for your baby girl!

Miss said...

Da Feenster! My little homegirl! Happy birthday love!!

Becca said...

Happy Birthday sweetie!

That was absolutely adorable. I honestly had tears in my eyes! She is so pretty!

AutoSysGene said...

Could Fifi possibly be any cuter. I think all that lovin' id growing one well adjusted little girl. She can learn no when she's a teenager...what's the rush? :)

ParentingPink said...

Awwww! I love the letter. My third daughter turns 2 in March. I can't believe how fast they grow! Happy Birthday to Feenie!

Courtney said...

what a sweet letter to your little princess!

and I am the same way and always run in to my little man's room when he sleeps late :)

Carin@MRD said...

You have just put into words what I feel for my 2nd son, who is our last, and who is almost to the day 2.5 years.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

Who couldn't read the whole thing?! It was so sweet (and very familiar). I had all three of mine so close together (irst Oliver and then 18 months later, George & Eleanor). So I do SOOO many things wrong. I can't help it - I'd just rather have fun with all of them and make them smile than be mean mommy to make a point or teach a lesson. When it's important, I do - but the rest of the time....what's the harm in a little unnecessary snack here and there...

Dziadek said...

100 lat,100lat,niech zyje,zyje nam
moja wnuczka
Dziadek

Unknown said...

Oh, how sweet, is she?! Happy, happy birthday to the Feenster! I love how you hug and kiss her when she says "NO!" I think I'm gonna start taking that approach.

Such a sweet post Mommy!

Kari said...

That was beautiful! Happy Birthday Fifi!!!

3 Peanuts said...

So so very sweet:)

Happy birthday fifi!!!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Happy Birthday Fifi!!

Such a special letter to your beautiful birthday girl. I saw the pic of her wearing the crown at Burger King....it looks like she had the time of her life....thats all that matters:)

Lisa

Missy said...

This is so great! She is beautiful!

Clare said...

such a great letter, you are such an amazing mom!! i loved hearing about all of the little things she does:) so sweet!

MsMommy said...

So beautiful. I am the same way with Finn. He's spoiled incessantly, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It almost breaks my heart that he, as the fourth child, is our last.

I so enjoyed this post.

Tyne said...

That was precious, and you are a wonderful mother. Happy birthday Fifi!

Melissa said...

That was a beautiful note!!

You have beautiful children! It seems according to your blog that you cherish and adore your children no matter what they do!

That is what it should be about!

Ed (zoesdad) said...

Perfect!

Happy Birthday, Little Girl.

Stephanie said...

I seriously cried like a banshee reading that note. Mainly cause I just got done writing my own to Chicken, who shares Fifi's very same birthday. I think I've mentioned it before, but you've got a lot of followers, so I know it's hard to keep track.

We're going to have to get on prozac together, huh? ;oD

I really REALLY think you should consider writing a book. You're a great writer!

Lisa said...

PS - missed the pictures until today. what a lovey she is!

r.a.w. chronicles said...

Happy Birthday, Fifi. You're so precious!!

imbeingheldhostage said...

you've just inspired me, I have a banshee that could probably stand a little smothering just about now :-)

Great private letter, sorry I read it ;-)
Happy Bday Fifi!

The Daily Stroll said...

Happy 2nd Birthday Fifi!!

What a wonderful, sweet, precious birthday letter! That brought tears to my eyes!

Deb said...

Oh, honey, she is breathtakingly beautiful!!

You're making me feel really good about my parenting choices, too. I do the tantrum/giggling thing with my firstborn, and I've had too many serious medical scares with him not to cuddle him every chance I get. It's nice to see an experienced mom arrive at those same conclusions. Makes me feel less... insane? Yes, insane.

Anonymous said...

I totally made it to the end cuz I'm a sap and I welled up! This was beautiful!

A Crafty Mom said...

So perfect. And special. I hope she had a fabulous and fantastic birthday. And, come on, no one beats Burger King's fries!! Our third just turned one, I can hardly believe she will be two before I know it.

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Happy birthday to your baby.

I know your pain...my youngest turned two 2 days! before Fifi. *sniff sniff*

Maggie May said...

One of the bestest love stories ever, one I totally get.

Much love.

Rhea said...

Happy Birthday to an adorable, fun little girl! Who is clearly VERY well loved!

 

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