Happy 4th Birthday Grace

Dear Gracie,

Wow, 4 years my dear. I'm still slightly in denial that the little girl in front of me is actually my baby girl - you have grown so much.

You are my sweet little girly-girl, always taking delight in the prettier things and living by the motto that a "girl can never have too much bling" I'm not really sure where you get your fashion obsession from, but it's a beautiful trait and can either having me tearing my hair out trying to change you or laughing my head off. You have an amazing way of pulling together outfits. I look at you as you make the choices from your wardrobe, thinking to myself that will never work - but you always manage to pull it off.

You are my gentle, loving little girl, who has no problem being raucous or loud. You love the outdoors and are in your element surrounded by nature, especially pretty flowers. You have a love for nature that is showing itself more and more everyday. Apart from your current phase of ant squashing, you love all animals and have a special place in your heart for any furry friend that you meet. Your ultimate pet would be a pony, and one day I promise, I will make that dream come true.

You're my right hand girl in the kitchen, always wanting to help out. You can make your breakfast all by your self (toast or cereal) and you've even got a few meals up your sleeve for when I can't be bothered cooking. Spaghetti on toast is something that you can whip up from start to finish, and you do often. You also love nothing better than baking something yummy, then licking the beaters and bowl clean.

Although there are many fights and arguments, I know that you adore your little brother. You are the first to check if he is ok when he cries, offering a sisterly cuddle and reassuring words. He really looks up to you Grace, and he spends most of the day wanting to be like you - both good and bad. Watching the 2 of you laugh and play together is a sight that I never tire of. Watching my 2 children interact and love each other, its just magic to know that we have given you both the gift of a sibling. I love you for sharing your love with him.

Your 4 now. It's been a wonderful and sometimes challenging past year - 3 was definitely a year of testing boundaries, but apart from all the "interesting" times, it's been an absolute delight parenting you. With the testing times, also comes loads and loads of truly special moments. Your chatter, although at times makes me want to invest in gaffer tape, is hilarious. The sound of your own voice is so obviously pleasing to you, so talking just for the sake of talking, happens A LOT. The conversations that you have though are beautiful, giving us a glimpse into how you adorable mind all works. Your chatter gets quicker as the day ends, it's like you have a daily quota of words that you MUST get through.

You have matured so much over the last few months, I've really noticed a change in your attitude and how you interact with everyone. You're much more sympathetic, helpful and understanding. You're slowly realising that there is more to the world than our little realm. We love confusing you with family trees, watching your little eyes squint as you try to work out the logistics of Nanny having a baby and that baby being your Mummy. You're always asking if Mummy or Daddy did the things that you do now, when they were little.


Your happy to play with the kids, but most of the time your hanging around the adults, listening and observing and then asking a million questions about what is being said. I know that this is payback from what I used to do to my own Mum, karma and all that. The only way to pry you apart from the adult talk is to put you in charge of a baby, then you are in your element. You would dearly love a baby brother or sister to fuss over, your maternal side is such a strong part of your personality. Although I loved having you and Xav born so close together, I often wonder how much easier things would have been if he was born with you at this age, and you being such a wonderful helper.

I've taught you how to hand sew and finger knit, and we have been busy making Christmas decorations. For a girl that wouldn't sit still to do anything, you've developed so much patience with these 2 new skills. I set you up with a threaded needle and you are quite happy to sew and sew and sew. You love it even more if I sit and sew with you, it always turns unproductive though as we chat and giggle to each other.

You're most treasured things are your jewellery, your favourite clothes and your family. You absolutely adore a particular pair of jeans, that you have carefully packed away for next winter. I don't have the heart to tell you that, the way you are growing, they will be closer to shorts by the time next winter rolls around. I guess when a girl finds a perfect pair of jeans, she lives in them right?!

You love your Daddy with every ounce of yourself, you truly are a Daddies little girl. His fingers are getting constricted from being wound so tightly, but he loves every minute of it. He is the one you choose to cuddle of a night if you sneak in to our bed. I try to steal you away, but you always shimmy back to your Daddy. He is who you want when you are sick or upset, at your happiest and most content in his loving arms. He makes you feel safe and loved and its really beautiful to see the special bond you have together. You're his little girl, and I have no doubt, that however old you are, there will always be a place for you in his arms. You definitely did score in the Daddy stakes though, yours is top of the range - absolutely brilliant. I look at the relationship that the 2 of you have and I often wonder if it was the same between me and my Daddy. You are at the exact age now I was when I lost mine, and can't even bare to think about that happening to you and Xav.

You are a beautiful girl Grace, both inside and out. Of course I am completely biased, but looking at you, still takes my breath away. I am in awe that your Daddy and I could create such a stunning little girl that seems to be getting more beautiful as she gets older. You have the most gloriously soft and creamy skin, so silky and completely blemish free. Your little button nose has been with you right from the start, its the cutest little ski-jump and gives you an adorable profile.

Your face is so expressive, so much so that I'm sure you'll make a lousy poker player. Everything you feel is written all over your face. The toddler body is all gone, replaced with a long torso and shapely "go on for miles" legs. You still have the little pot belly though, a cute reminder of my little baby girl. Your hair is such a beautiful honey blonde colour, when it's wet it reaches the top of your bum. When its dry, it's curls up gorgeously, tucked behind your ears or held back with an Alice band. I love playing with your hair, trying out all sorts of hairstyles, but you only have so much patience before you demand it to be put back in a head band and left alone.

This will be our last year at home together before Prep. You will be heading off to pre-school 2 days a week starting next year, and I'll be off to uni (hopefully!) I'm sad that in your last year at home, we will be separated, however I'm vowing to make as much time for you as you need. I'm promising to make this your 4th year, the very best. We will make many beautiful memories, I want you to remember this part of your childhood as your BEST. I'm running with your vivid imagination, and this year is going to be the most magical yet, full of wonder and excitement. I promise, that although I will be busy with school I will always make time for you.

Grace, you really are my little sunshine girl. I hope that you realise how much we all love you and how much joy you have bought into our family.

You have a very special place in my heart. YOU are the one that made me a Mother, all that time ago. I barely can remember life with out you, it's like a piece of you has always been with me, waiting for the right time to join us. I knew deep in myself that one day I would be blessed with a daughter and you are everything and more that I could ever want.

Every night, as I am heading to bed, I go to check on you. Asleep, your face is an exact image of yourself as a baby - a reminder to me that you were once my dependant newborn.

Happy 4th Birthday to my very special first born. I love you as much as you could possibly imagine, and more.

Love Mummy xx