Dear Georgia,

It has been long time since I've written, and it seems like you've grown up so much.  You are turning into a beautiful little girl, and are no longer my baby.  Figuratively, of course.  Because you will always be my baby.  I want you to know how proud I am of your headstrong nature.  I always tell people that you have the potential for the General Board.  Or you'll be terrible.  It will go one way or the other, and I appreciate the opportunity to step up as a mother and guide you on a path that will bring you all of the blessings I know are intended for you.  You are just starting to come out of your "evil" phase, and I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.  You are stubborn, ornery, sassy, and cranky.  You are also sweet, thoughtful, forgiving, and compassionate.  Sadly, I'm pretty sure all of those qualities come straight from me - the good and the bad.  You know what they say about apples...

Anyway, there's a lot to catch up on and I can't wait to share what you've been up to - it's been a lot!  So keep growing, keep getting to know yourself, and no matter what be true to who you are - your personality will take a while to grow into!  You are such a special blessing to me, and I hope you always remember that.

Love,
Mommy

Dear Georgia,

Yesterday you got your hair cut.
I love your long hair.
It is thick, wavy, beautiful.
I love your long hair.
But it was starting to bother other people.
Especially your dad.
So I lost the battle, and your hair had to go.
I cried a little bit.
I know that's dumb.
Even as I write this I am very sad.
In memorium, here are some pictures of your amazing long hair.
Your short hair is cute.
It will grow (on me).
Sigh.

Sadly,
Mommy

Dear Georgia,

Watching you makes me happy.  You make me laugh all the time.  So in the words of Train:

Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do....tonight.

Love,
Mommy

Dear Georgia,

I dropped you off at daycare today, and you were more tired than normal, but you seemed fine.  You ate breakfast, got yourself dressed - just a normal day.  Then, at around 11, Brenda called me and said that you threw up at the playground.

At 11:15, I picked you up, and you were as white as a ghost.  You could barely walk over to me.  I put you in the car, and this is what you looked like. Isn't that a sad face?  My poor baby.  We went inside and you went straight to sleep in my bed and slept clear through until after dinner.  You seem to be fine now, but whatever bug you had really threw you off.  I'm so sorry you were sick.  There's nothing worse than seeing your children when they hurt, or don't feel well.

I have to admit, though.  It was nice to have you be a little bit clingy.  Normally you don't need a lot of cuddling, but today you have and I have LOVED it.  But I hope you are 100% tomorrow - I'd rather have you be happy :)

Love,
Mommy

Dear Georgia,

I have to first apologize to you.  I am a distracted mommy.  I have lots going on, and sometimes most of the time I end up spending too much time on other things and not enough time playing with you and Gibson and being a good mom.  Today I got home from work a little bit early and needed to go to the store to pick up a few things.  You and Gibson were fighting in the car, no surprise there.  I was feeling overwhelmed, and then I saw a playground.  I promptly pulled the car over and said, "Who wants to play on the playground?"  You went crazy.  It's not that you've never played on a playground before, but this was out of the blue - a special surprise.  We played for almost an hour.  I took off my shoes and we went down the slide together, we climbed the tree, we took pictures, we played tag.  It was a really wonderful hour.  I didn't make it to the store, but I got everything I needed from you and your brother.  I needed to spend some time with you.  No distractions, no email, no phone - just me and my kids having fun together.  I promise I will try harder to be the kind of mommy that I really want to be and know that I should be.  I watch how fast you are growing and can't figure out where the time has gone!  Spring is almost here in full force, so I hope we have lots of opportunities to just play together.

Love,
Mommy

Dear Georgia,

You sneaky girl.  Today your room was a disaster zone, and I asked you to clean it.  I worked in the kitchen, and heard various cleaning sounds, such as clunks, crashes, grunts, slides, and grumbles.  In a suspiciously short amount of time, you came running down the hall - in your undies.  "Where are your clothes?" I asked.  "Everything's clean, mom," you reply.  Hmmm.

I walk into your room and find this...bed made (not bad for a 3-year old), and clean floor!  But what is that guilty face?

AHA!  I caught you, little stinker!  Nice try, though! 

Need I remind you that I know EVERYTHING?! 

Oh, Georgia.  You sure know how to make me smile.

I love you!

Love,

Mommy

Dear Georgia,

You drew on the couch last night. 
In orange crayon. 
I was mad, and I yelled at you to go to your room. 
You cried, and went upstairs.
I cleaned the couch.  No harm done (thank goodness for Woolite furniture cleaner).
You eventually got to come out of your room, after I'd had time to recover from the initial shock of an orange couch.
The evening went on as normal.
Bedtime came, and I tucked you in but forgot to give you a kiss.  I turned around and went back to your bed, nuzzled your face a little and told you I love you.
"I'm sorry I colored the couch."

I forgive you, sweetie.  I'm sorry I yelled at you.

Love,
Mommy