It was exactly four years ago as of the moment this post was published my life changed forever. After a long hard night of labor for your mom, you were safely in our arms. Tears of joy ran down my face out of pure joy that you were finally here. Your older sister was waiting at home with your grandfather and your aunt and grandmother were right over my shoulder. You know, I don’t think they expected to be in the same room as you were delivered but they kind of got stuck there. No matter, the focus was all on your arrival.

Since that morning you have blessed our lives with a smile that lights up every room you enter. Everyone who spends any amount of time with you falls in love with you almost instantly. You are gentle and kind and so petite. You are the best snuggle I have ever felt and your soft voice is the sweetest in the world. As your sister is, you are very intelligent. You pick up things faster and with greater ease than your sister did before you. I guess you have a good teacher in her. She is your best friend and you are such a wonderful playmate to her. Except when you insist things are done your way. It’s fun to watch!

I cannot begin to explain how much you have taught me about myself as a parent. As much as you are like your sister, you are the exact opposite in so many ways. I feel like you make me a well rounded parent. You have a quality to you that is fiercely independent and although at times it can be frustrating, it’s also what makes you so wonderful. You are the care taker. Your babies, even though always naked, are always well taken care of. I absolutely love to watch you play with them, especially when you don’t know I’m watching.

As you pass from 3 to 4 years of age, many things in the coming year will change for you. Pre-school is only 8 months away and I know you are going to thrive in the environment. At home you may show your sassier attitude, but when you are in a school environment you are an absolute angel. Thanks for that, I prefer you save your fits for home instead of school. You make friends with such great ease and your not afraid to do anything. You will perform on stage with all your ability and that is something your sister never did. I’m sure someday soon enough, you will tease her for that and I will have to correct you for doing so.

I still very much miss the days when you would fall asleep on my shoulder or just in my arms. Only in the rarest of occasions will that ever happen again. It feels like only yesterday when I would rock you to sleep in the middle of the night while some horrid movie was on the TV. I miss that so much and at the same time I don’t miss it for a second. Although back then you would say it with your eyes, I much prefer feeling my heart melt when that sweet little voice says “I love you Daddy.”

Happy 4th Birthday Princess. Daddy loves you!