seventeen & eighteen.

She's eighteen months.

She's brought us joy, a joy like we've never know, for a year and a half.
After each other, she's the most serious relationship we've both ever had.
She introduced us to a love, 18 months ago, a love we could have never imagined.

Months 17 and 18 of hers have been full, full of activity, full of love.
This mama has been nesting and preparing for our family of 3 to meet its newest member and with end of summer activities and all that comes with preparing for new littles, our days have been full.

These past two months, in particular, have truly been something else for her.
Her vocabulary has almost doubled and she's learning something new every single day. It's the most incredible thing to watch. To witness a tiny person, a small child who has you completely smitten, discover her world for the first time and begin to connect the dots of understanding is like celebrating triumph after triumph, day after day. And watching her experience all of it, leaves you in awe at the beauty and wonder by which we are all created.

For 18 months, she's been our world.
And the three of us have had some pretty sweet adventures.
But sometime soon, within the next two weeks, a new little person will join our crew.
But before he shows up to play, I want this sweet 18 month old to know a few things...

I want her to know she's changed me, forever. I want her to know she's changed her daddy, too. I'm no longer the only woman he's completely captivated by. I want her to know I'll always cherish all of our "new" moments in the past 18 months, when mama was learning the ropes for the first time. I want her to know I've had so much fun being her best little friend and playmate and I will always, always, always remember our days spent alone together.

But I also want this 18 month old to know, she is going to be the best big sister. Yes, her baby brother will be crashing our daily dance parties but he will only add to the fun. He may get under her skin some days, but brothers are one of the best blessings the good Lord could give a sister...trust mama, I know. He will surprise you with the size of his love and he will teach you that your heart has no limits, especially when you love him despite his "little brother" tendencies that are sure to come with time.

Sweet pea,
You came into our world and brought a shimmer and shine that make even the stars jealous.
And soon, very soon, all of our worlds are about to get a little brighter.
Here's to 18 months and all that's yet to come.
Here's to radiating an even greater sparkle.

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