Lucy {year 6}

Dear Lucy,

So this is six. 

More tiny glimpses of the young woman you'll be.  You already have such a depth and steadiness about you, yet all the light and fun that should be there as well. 

You are tremendously bright.  It never ceases to amaze me how quickly you absorb a new skill or new information.  And that usually happens because of your love of reading.  You are tearing through chapter books at a rate that is somewhat challenging to keep up with., trying to remember you just turned 6 and not 10.  I want to always remember how at 5, you got a lamp on your side of the bed and you get to turn it on once your sister is asleep and stay up reading for a little bit.  Your favorite nights being the ones where I forget to come tell you to turn it off and once I remember I come find you curled up under the quilt, eyes heavy and grinning, but still turning those pages.  I want to remember the mornings I'd start to get worried that you hadn't woken up yet and I'd go back to your room to find that you had been up, just reading in bed.  The Boxcar Children, Little House on the Prairie series, Charlotte's Web, The Never Girls series, Anne of Green Gables and more.  I'm excited to see where the year 6 takes our book list.

Lucy, you have always been a pretty good rule follower.  Even as a baby and toddler, you'd pick up on things like, 'hot' and 'danger' the first time and steer clear.  Part of that has been a drive to get approval and praise for doing the right thing.  It was something that sometimes made my job a little easier, but something I knew I wanted to keep in check.  I didn't want you growing up and becoming reliant on seeking that from those around you.  I didn't want the pressure of external expectations of others to constantly bear down on you or for you to ever be manipulated by a desire for praise or approval.  And Lucy, I am seeing this beautiful, subtle shift and growth in your 6 year old self.  I'm seeing more and more of an awareness in your heart of who created you and whose you really are and it is so powerful.  You have told me things about the Lord that take my breath away.  I know you hear Him and you know He's with you.  And it has strengthened this quiet confidence and security in you and it keeps your focus off what others think of you in such a freeing and positive way.  I will forever remind you of the One who created you.

Lucy my prayer has always been that when I look at my children, I see them as who God created them to be.  I want to do that even more so this year.  The way you constantly move furniture and tie things together and cut and tape paper with such purpose, and create forts and homes and inventions.  The way you are always writing and singing songs and choreographing dances.  And while you're dancing, you'll be telling me what is happening around you, on the stage, the set, the other dancers, and I know you are seeing every detail in that little head.  I know every time you move things and create and construct there is purpose and I want to spend more time trying to see it through your eyes.  Celebrating and soaking in exactly who you are right now.

Something else I want to remember, a reminder to always seek the Lord, and to seek Him with the awareness that He will answer.  Several months ago your Papa heard from the Lord and we trusted the voice inside and humbly and faithfully decided to change directions with your care.  And baby girl, you are doing beautifully.  We've been able to manage your arthritis with good and safe things going in your body.  We know there's not a one size fits all solution for everyone, but we believe the Lord will guide us with what's best for you.  And we continue to believe that no matter what's ahead of you and your journey, you are already held and protected and your life is and will continue to be full and lovely.  We know His plans are good Lucy, and I am just so thankful to get to be a part of yours.

The night of your birthday I crawled into bed with you.  We talked about the day and you told me it was the best birthday yet.  We talked about being six and you started making a list of things you wanted to do during your sixth year.  It's quite a list!  But I will do my best to help you accomplish what your little heart desires and I will continue to enjoy my time with you, delighting in who you are.  What a treasure you are as a daughter, as a sister, as a friend to all who know you.

Love,
Mama

Lucy's 6th year goals

1.  learn to embroider/sew/weave
2.  learn some French
3.  learn more on the piano
4.  grow a bigger flower garden and make my own flower arrangements
5.  write some books
6.  cook a dish all by myself
7.  learn to braid my own hair
8.  have more animals to take care of
9.  learn to write cursive
10.  learn to enjoy eating more vegetables (okay so I might have added this one, but the rest were all you my dear!)

Dear Ida {month 11}

Dear Ida,

As I write this, we are actually already in your birthday month.  And you are full of everything that's good to celebrate and be thankful for.

Your favorite things right now are kissing yourself in the mirror, loving on your baby doll, sitting in the corner looking at your books, finding a basket of blocks/toy/clothes and throwing the objects one by one over your shoulder, crawling around pushing a toy car and getting a good grasp of dog fur and flesh when we are outside.

You are fascinated with anything your big sisters are doing and you can officially reach across their art and work table.  They are quite patient with you and are often more amused at your quick grab and determination than they are upset about you eating their drawings.

Speaking of eating, you will put paper, leaves, and other found objects in your mouth but you have no interest in eating food.  Pureed foods get swallowed for a couple of bites and then you motor boat spray them all over your tray.  Soft table food gets put in your mouth, we clap, you grin, and then spit it back out.

But if I've learned anything 3 babies in, it's that 95% of the time when you start to think 'Is this a problem?'  If I wait 5 more minutes, it all works itself out. 

Actually it seems to work that way with life in general.  Take a deep breath and wait 5 more minutes...

So I'm not worry my silly, healthy, mama's milk lovin' girl.

But at this rate...no birthday cake for you baby ;)

Love,
Mama

36+

Dear Ida {month 10}

Dear Ida,

As I sit here typing this letter, you are squealing and laughing your head off while Papa tickles you and the two of you play a pretty intense version of peek-a-boo.  The 'boo' part is by far your favorite.

This has been a sweet time with you for months now.  The hour or so after your big sisters are in bed.  You explore and cuddle and play.  Equally content spending time playing by yourself without assistance from your sisters, then turning your attention to your Papa and me, aware of the undivided attention. 

But more then anything, it's become a special play time with your Papa.  And papas have a magical and different way of playing, don't they baby girl?  And you have one of the best.

Love,
Mama

P.S.  Taking your monthly pictures on a bed maybe wasn't the best idea...it's becoming a little dangerous!  You are fast and playful and have no fear.

Dear Ida {month 9}

Dear Ida,

So yes, you are soon to be 10 months.  And you might have even changed since I took these 9 month pictures.

But the 9th month is certainly worth documenting.

It was a big one.  You gained 2 bottom teeth.  Started crawling and then immediately started pulling up on everything as well.  You can say mama and papa, although you like to tease us by mouthing the word papa and then saying mama, followed by laughing, squealing and screeching.  You make us laugh!

Ida you continue to fill our days with your good natured, sweet spirit.  Your world is expanding and you are taking it on with joy and delight and not an ounce of fear. 

My favorite season is beginning and I can't wait to share it with you.  I have a feeling you are going to love it my dear.

Love,
Mama

 

 

Dear Ida {month 8}

Dear Ida,

This last month was pretty intense. 

But yet, like most things of worth, where there were challenges and obstacles and even sorrow, there was also joy and peace and contentment.  And gratitude.  Always gratitude.

You went on your first big family vacation.  It was full and good.  You saw and heard and touched (and ate) the sand and salt water from your first beach experience.  You were loved and held by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

You experienced your first big virus.  Several days of a high fever, including another febrile seizure.  It will never get easier on my heart.  It is unlike anything I have experienced in my short years of mothering.  I am very aware of how little control I actually possess in this journey.  But nothing drives that home more then holding your convulsing body in my arms for what seems like eternity, with nothing in my power to stop it.  I could easily live in fear, obsessively trying to prevent your exposure to the next germ, virus, bug.  But alas, getting sick is part of living.  And so is healing.

And you are healthy.  You are thriving and growing.  You have mastered new ways of getting around, but haven't quite started crawling.  You have your two bottom front teeth in, but still have no interest in eating food.  And you my dear, most certainly are sure of your own voice.  You are loud!  But in the most entertaining and joyful way.  Even when you choose to express yourself with the occasional midnight party.

You spend the majority of your day on my hip.  There are moments when my arms are burning and my body feels lopsided and uneven.  But then there are times where you feel like such a fluid extension of me and I'm thankful for my body and the way it was made with a spot for you in mind, long before you were here to rest in it. 

We brought in your 8 month with your first camping trip with some friends.  For three days it rained a good portion of the time and our tents leaked and most everything we brought was wet. 

And it was wonderful.

You spent the days content on a blanket reaching for rocks, dirt, sticks and anything else you could grab, or wandering around strapped to me, or napping on your papa around the fire or under a tent.

You slept deep and restful during the nights.

It was such a good reminder of what I want our family to remember...

Sometimes your plans change and sometimes you're not prepared for those changes and you have to just roll with it.  Things are better when you are with people who love you and whom you love as well.  Exploring and resting are both good for the soul.  There is beauty in the rain and in the sunshine.  And attitude truly is everything.

We drove home with my heart full.  I was so proud of our little tribe.

I'm thankful for a Creator who says I can cast my worries onto Him.  Who tells me to be anxious of nothing.  Who wants me to be filled with His perfect love, not fear, to be content in the midst of it all.

Ida, I say 'yes' to that. 

It is my prayer that you see me say 'yes' to that over and over and over again. 

'Yes' to Him.

My darling, delightful baby, you are such a gift.  I love you with all my heart.

Love,
Mama

 

 

Dear Ida {month 7}

Dear Ida,

Still no teeth, still no crawling, still not going longer then 3 hours without waking up at night, but...

It was a couple of days before your 7th month and I was up getting breakfast started in the kitchen while you laid in bed playing with Papa.  I hear him holler, 'she said it!'  You had said, ma-ma.

Or so your father says.  I have yet to truly hear it.  I will sing ma-ma to you over and over and you will give me the biggest grin and move your mouth to match mine but with no sound coming out.

I know it's coming.  But we don't need words, do we baby girl?  You look at me with such depth and sweetness and affection.  When you are falling asleep you often rub my fingers or wrap your little hand around my wrist and I feel you sigh and surrender to rest.  And waking in the morning to your sunshine smile is one of my greatest pleasures.

You have my heart.

And you have a million little ways that you let me know that I have yours as well.

Love,
Mama