(three)

three years ago today

this little one 

made me a mommy.

suddenly she seems so grown-up-

surely not a baby anymore, 

every day that passes she seems less like a toddler and more like a girl.

on the way home from school she exclaimed,

"mom, you're the best ever! thanks for packing this snack for me"

(*sidenote-matt actually packed the snack, so he's the best ever- not me)

and i couldn't help but start laughing

at my funny, expressive little girl

who talks & sings non-stop.

(birthday outfit curated by m)

don't get me wrong,

at 7:30 tonight i was about ready to pull my hair out, frustrated with my independent, stubborn daughter who was melting down at the slightest thing after a day full of attention and cupcakes.

and then,

moments after the hour long get-into-bed-fight was over,

after she was finally in bed 

and i was giving ruby an extra snuggle,

m crawled out from under her blanket,

put her little arms around my legs

and buried her head against me. 

and my frustration

melted a bit

and 

i scooped her up and burrowed her head into my neck for a minute.

i love those moments.

i can't imagine life without this little person who has changed me, softened me, bettered me.

three years of absolutely wonderful.

love this girl.