Alyssa - Month 31

Dear LyssaLou,

You are my little firecracker. Everyone thinks that you are the quiet and shy one...until they get to know you. Inside that cute, tiny, sweet little girl is the heart of a lion with a set of lungs to match. You can out yell your sister any day of the week and are usually the one that wins in a fight over toys. You are fearless. But you are also so sweet. You love to snuggle and shower mom and dad with hugs and kisses.

You may be small, but you are tough - both physically and mentally. You are so smart. Saying words and putting together phrases that a two year old definitely shouldn't know. I am amazed at all you understand and how well you can communicate. You have figured out how to do so many things all by yourself. You are always trying to catch up to Sister and you want to be able to do everything she can do. Slow down a bit little Bug. You are wonderful for who YOU are. You don't have to be just like sister. We love you for you and for all your unique talents and abilities. Don't worry so much about keeping up. Just be you.

I love how helpful you are. You want to be involved in everything. You love to cook with mom and dad, or help with laundry or with loading the dishwasher. You are learning quickly how to keep things clean and are even good at reminding mom when I need it. I hope that I can help encourage this in you, so you will always be the type of person that loves to do things for others.

You are also a great actress. I have never seen a kid that can turn on the tears and the sad face like you. But you also know how to ham it up and be a cheese when you want to. You love to dance, especially when we're changing your clothes and you can run around dancing and singing "naked baby, naked baby" at the top of your lungs. You are always good at making us laugh.

I hope that we can teach you all the things that will help you be the best person that you can be. Your parents are not perfect, but we love you and we want you to be happy with who you are. We ask you also to have patience with us as we continue to try and figure out this parenting thing. Know that everything we do is motivated by our love for you and your siblings.

I am so grateful for you. For your kisses and hugs that make everything all better, for the happiness and laughter that you inspire, and most of all that we have the chance to be your parents and have you in our family.