Dear Avery:

My precious Love Bug, tomorrow is your second birthday, and with that brings a lot of joy, as well as some sadness, for your momma.

I am little sad, because another year and has come and gone so very fast. It seems like just yesterday, we brought you home from the hospital, and now you are becoming a person, full of spirit and sass, all rolled in to one.

With that said, I am so very happy that you are in my life. Every day I am blessed to see you grow hour by hour, day by day. There is nothing that I miss and for that, both you and I should be so very grateful to your daddy. He works hard so we can spend this time together. I know that I am forever grateful for that, and one day, you will be too.

They say that children learn the most in the first five years of life, and now, I can say that I truly believe that statistic. You are one smart cookie. You say words and put together sentences that even at two are too big for you. Your understanding of concepts and  your memory do nothing but amaze me every day. You are also extremely timid - having to assess the world around you before you will commit to anything - even something as little as riding a carousel. You are so loving and compassionate. If anyone (including a television character) is sad, you sense that right away, and are extremely concerned. You give those you love random kisses and make sure that we know that you love us. You are a picky eater. You are messy - which you are quick to let me know regularly. You are a selective listener. You are so funny - not just in what you do, but the jokes that you tell. Your laugh is contagious. You are stubborn beyond words, hell bent in knowing what you want so early in life. And above all, you are loved.

These traits only crack the surface on the person your are becoming. As we approach your second birthday tomorrow, remember that your daddy and I are so very proud of you. We love you more than anything, and we truly know that we weren't a family until you came in to our lives.

Thank you for loving us unconditionally. I look forward to spending the rest of my life in awe of the person that together your daddy and I created.

Happy Birthday!

Love you!

Momma