“G’morning, mama” you say, running into our room in baggy pajama pants.
“I slept all through the night,” you spout proudly – though the sun has barely peeked over the mountains. Without a word more, you snuggle the side of my expanding belly.
Later, you stretch out your legs to show me how long you’ve grown in the night. And, baby girl, you have.
Wispy blonde hair that falls in your eyes, blue eyes – the color of hydrangeas in the spring, the sweetest round cheeks. You still walk on tippy toes, hands on the hips.
You like peas and corn, watermelon and frozen blueberries, peanut butter balls and gummy bears. But NOT meatballs. And most definitely not tags on your clothes (we have to cut them all off).
Favorite past-times? Dressing up as Sleeping Beauty. Telling princess stories in dramatic voices. Digging in the sandbox in the afternoon sunshine. Riding in the Kelty on daddy’s back. Pretending to be a mommy. Playing chase and hide & seek. “Reading” chapter books, with amazing concentration.
You sing songs about Je-sus and pray ferverently for “people who don’t have food” – and you list family members by name (including your not-yet-born baby sister).
Sweet little girl with impeccable manners, you say “peas” and “tank YOU” and “I’m sawwy” and “Xcuse me.” That tender heart of yours can’t stand raised voices or BIG “no’s.” A peacemaker, that’s what you are.
AND a negotiator. ME: “We have to shampoo your hair tonight.” YOU: “Tomorrow?” ME: “I don’t want any grapes right now.” YOU: “Just try?” ME: “Try not to suck your fingers.” YOU: “On my next birthday, I do that.”
Words to describe you? You are empathetic. Intelligent. A defender. An introvert (we think). Rich in love and thoughtfulness.
This world is a better place with you in it. Always has been. Always will be. We love you, Liv.
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Rhonda B says
March 22, 2012 at 8:51 amI am very opinionated that babies born in the water are especially peaceful and grounded souls – what a blessing she is to your family ! Happy Birthday Olivia !
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Jenn says
March 19, 2012 at 4:22 pmShe sounds like such a lovely little lady. I’m finding that my almost three year old is an introvert too…
On the princess scene, I’ve thankfully been able to avoid most of the Disney versions, but my girl still loves to play princess and read princess books I’ve found a few alternates to the Disney stuff that we do like around here – I’ll drag them from the bookshelf, bedside table, or wherever C has them at the moment and share them with you soon! :)
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Stephanie says
March 21, 2012 at 4:04 pmI’d love to hear your recommendations in that category! We do have these “Beauty & the Beast” (http://amzn.to/GFyNpo) and “Cinderella” (http://amzn.to/GFyVp9) pop-up books. Although the renditions of the stories aren’t particularly imaginative or positive, the detailed artwork is exquisite.
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Jenn says
March 21, 2012 at 7:52 pmThose pop-ups are beautiful!
We have Cinderella and Beauty & the Beast from the “Treasured Tales” series
Here is Cinderella: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?kn=berryland+books+cinderella&x=0&y=0
and Here is Beauty & the Beast: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?kn=berryland+books+beauty+and+the+beast&sts=t&x=0&y=0
It appears that Berryland Books has gone out of business and those versions are out-of-print now. Those books were given to us when Chantae was born.
Then from my childhood we have this book: Shirley Temple’s Fairyland (http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=200112392&searchurl=kn%3Dshirley%2Btemple%2527s%2Bfairyland%26sts%3Dt%26x%3D0%26y%3D0)
It has Sleeping Beauty, Beauty & the Beast, Rumpelstiltskin and The Wild Swans
Chantae is ALWAYS asking for Princess books and since I have such a hard time finding any I like she doesn’t get very many :) I picked up The Princess and Three Knights for her last Christmas from the local Christian Bookstore – http://www.karenkingsbury.com/books/collections/childrens-books/princess-and-the-three-knights and both my kids like that book
The other Princess book I’ve purchased is this one from Candlewick Press: http://candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763644781&pix=n A Treasury of Princess Stories is a gorgeous book and we enjoy the stories.
Finally… :) My Aunt, a fellow avid reader, gifted us with a beautiful collection of classic fairy tales which is packed away with the rest of my books (sad face) at the moment. There are some good princess stories in that book too as well as some in a couple other big “collection of stories” books I picked up long before we had kids that have a nice variety of stories in them.
I just enjoy reading the classic stories to my children. I remember being fascinated by The Canterbury Tales in high school, devouring Dicken’s books, enjoying The Little House series as much as I enjoyed the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy books – I just want to expose them to as much literature as possible!
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Jenn says
March 21, 2012 at 7:52 pmHmm… maybe I should have just made a blog post and linked to it :)
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Stephanie says
March 22, 2012 at 8:40 pmJust added “The Princess and The Three Knights” to my library list. Thanks for the suggestions!
Have you read “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters”? It’s not exactly a princess story, but it’s quite well-done (beautiful artwork and a story of substance): http://amzn.to/GIXOA9.
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Stephanie says
March 17, 2012 at 8:36 amI know, right? Despite my best intentions, both girls love the whole princess scene. They’re actually getting quite the collection of princess books + clothes too – all from grandparents. ;)
I’m not opposed enough to say good riddance to the products, but we do “talk through” the stories…and we encourage a focus on the good qualities (kindness, humility, etc).
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Jenny @ mamanash.com says
March 16, 2012 at 12:04 pmPretty girl! Happy birthday to her! I’m so ready to move on to three. Lucy’s birthday is Apr 24. She rocked our world as a two-year-old and while I think much of that is just her personality there are some “ability” matters that will help me out a lot. Things like getting dressed, putting shoes on, getting into the carseat on their own, are all things I so adore about three-year-olds.
My Lucy loves everything princess too. And not because of any encouragement from me. How do they find out about this stuff?!
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Dayna says
March 14, 2012 at 11:35 pmWhat a poetic way to describe such a very lovely little girl. We count ourselves blessed to know precious Liv. (LOVE the negotiotiations you included!) She certainly is one smart little cookie:)
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Vanessa says
March 14, 2012 at 9:36 pmWhat a sweetie!! Happy Birthday to her!!
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mary beth says
March 14, 2012 at 12:48 pmYes!! Happy Birthday to my grandaughter Olivia! We had a birthday party out in the park on a beautiful day!
May the Lord continue to bless her as she grows!! :)
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JulieK says
March 14, 2012 at 11:05 amaww she sounds so sweet! Happy Birthday to her!
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Krista says
March 14, 2012 at 8:45 amSweet sweet! Noah’s birthday is Saturday, but I’m not as good about writing this way. ;)
He’ll only be 2… how close are Kayla and Cory? He’ll be 5 at the end of the month.
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Stephanie says
March 17, 2012 at 8:32 amKayla is 5 1/2.
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ruthy says
March 14, 2012 at 8:17 ambeautifully written Stephanie…makes me excited about growing a little human. :)
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Joycelyn Connet says
March 14, 2012 at 7:17 amHappy Birthday Liv!!! What a wonderful way to mark birthdays!
-Blessings,
Joycelyn
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Sophie says
March 14, 2012 at 6:44 amWhat a sweet letter for a sweet and wonderful little girl ! Happy Birthday Liv !
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Kathy says
March 14, 2012 at 6:22 amHi Stephanie, Happy Birthday to Liv. Congratulations on your next little girl to come. I had three girls in a row before a boy…I have to say it is wonderful. Of course, God knows and He is in control.