Happy (late) birthday to our little girl.

Marleigh Anne,

I can not believe you are two years old! I can remember so clearly when you were born. I was so scared. As soon as you were born, you let out the smallest cry. I remember thinking to myself, "that's her way of telling me she'll be okay." Marleigh, you are more than just "okay". You are the most amazing little girl I have ever met. You have an inner strength that has helped you over come so much in your short life. I am honored and privileged to be your mother.

Your Daddy and I love to sit and watch you play in the evenings. You enjoy getting in and out of chairs. Mickey Mouse is one of your favorite companions, and you talk to him all the time. Sometimes you sit him in your chair, and carry on converstations. You have many "pretties" that are a favorite as well. They are usually around your neck or in your purse. You put them in your purse, then put your purse on your shoulder and tell us, "goin' shopping!" Lately, you have been wearing Mommy's swimsuit bottoms around your neck as a "pretty" as well. No matter what drawer I hide them in, you always find them. I'm sure the reason you love them so much is that they are pink, your favorite color.

You love your Daddy very much. Whenever you do something or have something new, the first thing you say is, "I show Daddy!" Daddy plays with you a lot. He is always doing funny things to get you to laugh. We hear, "Silly Daddy," from you quite often, followed by adorable giggles. You and Daddy also watch country videos and dance together. It is something special that I will always remember. You enjoy "helping" Daddy in his office. He lets you sit with him at his desk and type on his computer. You smile from ear to ear while "helping" your Daddy.

Everyone that knows you well, is impressed by your vocabulary. You pretty much talk non-stop all day, but I think you come by that naturally. Both Daddy and Mommy have been known to be a bit chatty. You have started saying, "I love you so much!" It melts my heart everytime. Many times you will say something and either Daddy or I will ask each other, "where did she learn that?"

I am so proud of what a well-mannered little girl you have become. For the most part, you ask "please" and say "thank you" without being prompted. And when you burp, you smile shyly and say, "'scuse me." I have even caught you telling Daddy to say, "'scuse me," when he burps.

You are a very intelligent little girl. You now can count to 15 and say most of your ABC's. You visually recognize a few of the numbers and letters as well. You know all of your shapes, including "octagon", which I LOVE hearing you say! You love books and to read. Many of your books you will help me read. I'll say a few words, then you will say the next few. You also enjoy singing with Mommy. We sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", "You are My Sunshine", "Amazing Grace", "Jesus Loves Me" and a few others. You really like music of any kind.

Marleigh, you have the sweetest spirit and a smile that brightens any room. You are such a happy little girl. With all the obstacles you have encountered in your short life, I wouldn't blame you at all if you were a fussy, unhappy toddler. But you're not. I fully believe that somehow you know how very precious life is already, and are just happy to be alive.

I have prayed for you so much. My prayers have changed over the past couple of years, and I'm sure they will as you grow and change. I hope you always know that Mommy prays for you daily. That is one of the most important things I can do for you as your mother. My prayer for you now is that you continue to grow and learn. Not only in your everyday life, but also in your relationship with God. I pray that your Daddy and I teach you about God and that we are a good example for you. I truly believe that God has a very special purpose for your life, and I am thrilled He chose me to be your Mommy, so that I can see His plan unfold.

I love you more than you know,

Mommy

Almost 2

I can't believe that in less than two weeks, Marleigh will two years old. For some reason, my little girl turning two has been pretty hard on this mama. The first few months of her life seemed like they drug on forever, but the last year or so has flown! I'm not sure why it is, but I find myself almost tearing up. Of course, I want her to grow up and become an adult, but it just seems to be going too fast. She can't be that old, can she? But then she says something or does something that reminds what a big girl she actually is.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm struggling with Marleigh turning two because we had a "baby" for so long. When we brought her home from the hospital at 75 days old, she wasn't even five pounds, yet. Marleigh didn't sit up on her own until she was one. She didn't walk until she was eighteen months. Both things that most children do way earlier.

Maybe I'm having a hard time because she has advanced so much in the last six months. The difference in her is night and day. She runs everywhere, talking up a storm the entire time. She is so incredibly smart. I can remember the doctors telling us that she might always be a little slow from being premature. I prayed so hard that she would be okay. I didn't need her to be a genius, just didn't want her to be at a disadvantage. God has answered my prayers, ten fold. Sometimes I have to laugh at her wit. The other day, shortly after Christmas, Marleigh was trying to grab a Christmas decoration. I told her, "Marleigh, don't touch that." She looked right at me, turned and found my slippers, put them on her hands, then grabbed the decoration. She had the biggest grin on her face. She wasn't touching the decoration, the slippers were. I'm not sure that she fully understood what she was doing, but she is always doing things like that.

The reason I'm struggling could also be that she was so fragile for so long. I was so protective over my tiny little girl. The slightest bug for a preemie can have very serious consequences. As she grows up, I'm learning that I have to quit being so overprotective of her and let her be a kid. It sounds funny, but even at the age of 2, mama is trying to learn how to give Marleigh more and more independence. She has learned how to crawl up on all the furniture in the living room. A few months ago, I would have gone running to her, scared she was going to fall. I'm forcing myself to let her try new things on her own. She did fall off of the chair once, but laughed and said, "Silly, Marleigh!"

Or, maybe the reason that Marleigh turning two is hitting me so hard is that I'm pregnant and a mom. I've got some crazy hormones!

I'm sure all those reasons probably combine to why I'm having such a hard time with Marleigh turning two. But I suppose I better suck it up, I've got a party to plan! :)

Cline Christmas

On Christmas Eve (even with Marleigh not feeling the best), we headed out to my parents house for our Cline Christmas. I have always loved my parent's church's Christmas Eve service. At the end of the service, everyone circles the outer edge of the santuary. We light candles and sing, "Silent Night". We got back to Papa and Gigi's and had dinner.

After dinner, Luke and Marleigh were dancing around the living room. It was priceless. I tried to get some pictures of them holding hands and dancing, but didn't get any that were really good.

After the dancing, we opened presents.

Luke opening a present.

Marleigh excited about her Mickey Mouse Chair!

My sweet little girl patiently waiting.

Marleigh LOVED all the ribbons!

Daddy LOVED his new sign!

Christams Day was spent out at my parents house again. My Aunt Karen, Uncle Bryan, and their boys, Ben and Matt, came out. It was a nice relaxing Christmas (other than having a sick little girl).