Dear Nora.

My sweet Roo Roo. I am forever grateful for April 5th because that is the day your beautiful arrival made me a Momma. You are an incredibly smart, funny and wonderful four-year-old. Wise beyond your years with a heart of gold. I do not know how I became lucky enough to deserve you. I love you to the stars Tootsie. Happy Fourth Birthday!

Love you forever,

Momma

*We let you get your ears pierced after almost a year of asking. Not a tear was shed and you are proud as can be. My little princess.

Dear Sweet Ones.

I am sorry I have been a cranky/short tempered/beast of a mom lately. I am sorry for all the house hopping and the lack of normalcy I have forced upon you. I am sorry that you, Sweet Stella, turned 16 months and I hardly noticed. And you, My Tootsie, have been craving my attention and I have been blind to it. I love you both to the stars and back. You are my everything. I am going to be better. I am going to take you on adventures and be the "cool mom" I vowed to be years before I had kids. We are going to go camping and swimming and stay up late all summer because all too soon the summer will be over and we will find ourselves missing the ninety-something degree heat and long days. I am excited for fall and baby Mabel, but for now she is content in her watery womb and I am going to spoil you girls rotten. Love you!! -Mom

 Preferring the dog dish to her swimming pool.

 First time at the community pool.

 Tired baby #1.

 Tired baby #2.

BBQing with Papa Doug on the deck. (Costco jammies are a wardrobe staple around here)

 Enjoying Daddy's survival hammock.

Dear Nora.

My sweet girl. I wish you a Happy Belated 3rd Birthday and hope that your next year will be full of joy and happiness. So far it's not started out great as you are asleep on the couch with double ear infections. But even with the pain you are so sweet and kind. You are very smart and I am so excited to see you learn and grow this year. I love you to the stars sweet Tootsie! Love, Momma

Dear Tootsie.

You were an angel today. Thank you for that! You definitely deserved your cotton candy dippin' dots and I will gladly supply more if you nap/act/play so well every day. I love you to the stars sweet girl!

Love, Mom

Note: The shirt Nora is wearing was Aaron's as a kid. I stole it from their house when we were in highschool. Yep, I was that sure that we were going to get married. Sorry Lila, I was a thief.

My Dearest Babes.

I am sorry I have been so testy lately. Unfortunately someday you will understand the peril of hormones and being women. Please forgive me for being angry one minute and crying like a boob the next. If you weren't asleep right now I would snug you both in your pink trundlebees. Love you to the stars!

Love, Momma