Dear (2 year old) Ainsley

Ainsley today you turned two!  You have such a dynamic personality!  One minute you are super sweet and the next minute you are a little fire cracker!  We were playing "cars" the other day and you kept wanting the cars to kiss--this was a super sweet moment!

You are so kind hearted.  Anytime another child is crying or hurt, you always are concerned and want to help!  You lock eyes with them, want to rub their back and make them feel better.  Often times when we are out shopping and you hear others crying I have to repeat several times, "their momma is helping them, they are ok".  I love your caring spirit!

You love to make others laugh.  I think you get this trait from your dad!  Anytime we are out to dinner you want to "greet" others around you...you are persistent!  You will not stop staring, saying hi, and making funny faces until you get a friendly "hi" back from your new "friends".  Last night we went to dinner and you made friends with an 18 month old boy and a 50 year old at another table!  You love everyone you meet!

You love to eat!  Your favorite things these days are anything with tomato sauce, chicken, apples, cereal with milk, yogurt, milk, apple juice, teddy grahams, dried strawberries, and ice cream!  

Your daddy loves you SO much and you are a daddy's girl.  If I pick you up from school and daddy is still working you hug me and say "daddy"?  That is the first question you ask me!  You love to play with your daddy and he makes you giggle and laugh!  He made you special cupcakes this year since you like the Despicable Me movie (along with your favorite...Cars)!

This morning we had happy birthday balloons all over the living room floor --you LOVED that! You wanted to put your tummy on them just like you learned in physical therapy..thankfully they didn't pop!  Have I mentioned that you are fearless?  You always want to jump and climb!

You love school!  You know most of your classmates by name and when you leave school everyday you are so happy and say "bye" to everyone!  You may be a politician in the making!  This picture doesn't do justice to your love for school!  We got back your 2 year old school pictures today and you do not look happy!  Perhaps it is because one of your classmates bit you on the leg on picture day :(.  Your teachers say you always hold your own and are assertive when you need to be!   

You are the apple of your grandparent's eye!  Papa Bob, Grammie Linda and Papa Larry love being with you!  You light up every time you see them!  Even though you never got to meet your Grandma Rose, you know her name and picture and I know you would have been a great joy to her!

Your Aunt Angie, Uncle Graig and cousins Ava & Brock sent you a gift certificate for Build a Bear!  We picked out a special bear today, got it fitted with a hearing aid on its right ear (just like yours), and got a birthday shirt and a Cars outfit.  I showed you lots of cute pink outfits and you wanted the Cars outfit!  One of your birthday wishes was that The Eichler family would move to Iowa so you could spend more time with them!

Tonight two sets of our neighbors brought you birthday gifts and wanted to wish you a happy birthday!  I am so thankful that we have such a loving community to raise you in.  

God put a big heart in you baby girl.  You have faced a lot of joy over the past two years and your fair share of challenges.  You are resilient.  Your daddy and I are constantly talking about how we can best support you and not over do it with all of the testing and therapy.  We promise to always be your biggest advocates and cheerleaders.  You are a true delight to us.

Your class made you this sweet card today.

This weekend, we transitioned you to a twin bed because your legs kept hanging off of the toddler bed (to the side).  You are so tall these days!  You love your new bed and your new owl theme for your room.  We are thankful you have a comfy bed and that you have been sleeping well!

We love you sweet girl!
Mamma & Daddy 

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  -Psalm 139:13-14