Happy Birthday to you, G-Bear!

Dearest G-Bear,

Happy Birthday to you, my beautiful princess. Amidst the pink bunnies, boa "fluffies," and pretty party dresses for your birthday today, all I really see is the spirit of a precious child of God, growing up so quickly, one I love so dearly. Daddy and I are so proud of who you are: Saying "thank you!" with a hug after opening each gift, helping E-Bear up when he fell down, softly stroking cousin "Parkin" while sharing your toys, dancing your heart out in the aisle at the Easter Vigil, and, yes, even a big poopy in the potty--this is who you are today, the G-Bear who we love.

We have many more happy memories of you from this year past:

*April....Starting out this year at age 2, having just learned how to say your own name....

*May.....Running down the aisle at your aunt A's wedding, never dropping a petal, wearing your pretty "fairy" dress....

*May.....Your Baptism with your brother, our last day with Dee before he died....

*June....Gardening with Papa, planting our pepper plants together, playing "Set, Go!" running games on the track, sweetly telling E-Bear "whet go, baby, whet go," as he learned to grab her long brown hair....

*July.....Reading "Wocket in My Pocket," a then-favorite book, to yourself on the couch because you could remember the rhymes without any help, learning to count to ten, "three, eight, ten, three, TEN!", swimming in the pool with your floaties all by yourself....

*August...Saying goodbye to the condo and your crib in the closet, moving into a big-girl room at our new house...

*September...Starting to sing the alphabet on your own: "H, I, Jwa, K, blah, mlah, ba, bo, PEEEE...", hard nights sitting on the potty when we just couldn't poop

*October...Picking apples together at the orchard, giggling with E-Bear in the back seat, trick&treating in your fairy crown and tutu...

*November...the last month of your sleep sack and white crib, snuggling in the bunk beds at the cabin for Thanksgiving, saying the blessing at dinner for yourself...

*December...Christmas with the cousins in North Carolina, singing your favorite Christmas carol, "Jingle Bwells," getting your "Big-Girl-Bed," fluffy pink comforter and all, and sleeping in it for the first time, making sprinkle cupcakes for Ethan's first birthday and helping him open his presents so nicely....

*January....Standing in your Tower and playing playdo, reading "Jewemy Fisher" by Beatrix Potter together at bed time, making snowmen together in the snow (and you LOVED the cold so much more than your parents!)

*February....A trip to the "Beach" with all the cousins and Nana---a week of ice creams and wave pools, sun, sand and fun. Hiding under the covers in the morning when we come in to "wake" you up.

*March....Endless days on the potty and your first successes with panties, fearless trips down slides at the park, even the big twisty slide, all by yourself, learning to say "Ape-will forwth" when asked when you would be three and holding up how many fingers you would be when April 4th arrived...

G-Bear, we have so many prayers and hopes for your year ahead. Continue to love and grow with your brother: he already looks up to you so much and treasures your smiles and hugs. Continue to grow in your love of God: your prayers and tender heart already please Him so much. Continue to smile your gorgeous smile and dance your joyful dances that bring joy to everyone who sees you. Daddy and I love you so much. Happy birthday, dear G-Bear, happy birthday to you.

Happily Ever,

Queen B