My Dear Little Elsie

My Dear Elsie,

Just after 5 am two years ago today, your Daddy and I packed our stuff in the car and headed to the hospital where you would be born. You were supposed to be born on February 6th but you had different plans! We made it to the hospital and were in our own room by 8:30. Grandmomma and Paw Paw soon followed. Then came Nana, Dr. Danks, and Aunt Chatham. We waited. We watched Devil Wears Prada. We waited. We talked. We waited. In what would become your typical fashion, you were in no hurry. Finally, just after 5 pm, you first graced this world with your little presence. You were perfect. Perfectly healthy, perfectly sized, and perfectly beautiful.
Your name was a secret to everyone but your Daddy and me. We named you after your Daddy's beloved grandmother, Elsie McNeal Kinney. I never got to meet her but I think her spirit, humor, and love live on in you. I'm sure you give her great joy when she looks down on you from her seat in Heaven.
When you were one day old, you met your big sister. It was love at first sight! She loved you from the start and still would give you anything in her power to give just to make you happy.
Speaking of making you happy, you love Mickey Mouse. I don't know what brought this about or why it has lasted so long but you just can't get enough of Mickey Mouse. I have to fight with you many mornings to get you to wear something other than your Mickey Mouse pjs to Ms. Julie's house. Anytime you see three circles together, you say "Micka Mout"!
You also love your pappi. Ms. Julie doesn't let you have it during the day but, first thing when I pick you up in the afternoons, you want that pappi and it doesn't leave your mouth until you get to Ms. Julie's the next morning. I guess I'll have to start getting firm about that soon.
You love applesauce and raisins but not green beans. You especially love "Nana Bread".
You are still sleeping in your crib and loving it! Two nights ago when I put you to bed, you rubbed your little face across your sheets and said, "My bed, my bed!" over and over.
You love to go to the park and climb up the slide. You are getting pretty good at climbing the ladder that goes up the middle of the jungle gym. You also love the beach, especially digging in the sand and pouring water everywhere. You love coloring. In fact, when I ask you what you did at Ms. Julie's today, your answer is always, "Color" (but it sounds like "Cala").
Your best friend at Ms. Julie's house is Maddee. Today, you told us over and over again that it's "Elsie birthday, not Maddee". You also love Stella, Benjamin and Reece. But your best friend of all is Mary Grace. You two love to play together. You hide in Mary Grace's tent, put on pretend makeup at the "Cinderella on a counter" vanity, love your baby dolls, play dress up, read books, and color together.
You are a sweet child most of the time, although you can throw a two-year-old tantrum with the best of them. You love to sleep and have been known to take a four hour nap in the afternoon and still go to bed like clockwork at 8 pm and sleep til 7.
What more could a mommy want than two perfect, sweet, smart, and happy little girls? My prayer for you is that you will grow up knowing the comfort of God's love, a happy home, a loving family, and a Christ-centered life.
I love you, my baby girl!

Love,
Mommy