November 25, 2015

Dear Livi,

I am so late in writing  you an 18 month letter, but as I consider all that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to write to you.  Livi, you are growing up so fast and your personality is even bigger than you!  You are already showing us how sassy, determined and opinionated you can be.  One of your favorite terms, as of late, is "uh-uh", as you shake your head no and give a look that emulates that of a teenager.  You are starting to talk a lot more, and some of your favorite words include: mama, dadda, Will, bubba, meelk (milk), dog, peese (please), more, book, bebe (baby), and baany (bunny).  You LOVE to read books and crack me up when I pick one you don't like because you close it and say "bye bye".  You wave to everyone you meet, especially to tell them goodbye and will keep waving violently until they notice you. You adore your big brother and watch him like a hawk, however, you have also learned how to make him crazy-which you do quite well!!!  I watched you snatch his toy the other day and run from him, giggling all the way!  Praise Baby Christmas is your newest addiction, and you will cackle laughing when a baby comes on the screen-as you point and yell "bebe!!!"  You love to dance and move back and forth whenever you hear Mickey Mouse Clubhouse coming on.  You are still a wonderful sleeper and sleep about 11-12 hours a night.  I love to watch you sleeping on your tummy with your pink bunny tucked under one arm.  You love shoes and will put anyone's shoes on your feet and stomp all around the house in them...especially your brother's camo rain boots!  Jesus loves me continues to be the only song you want sung at bedtime, and if I start to sing another song, you keep saying "Jesus" until I start singing it again...again I say, you have a very determined little personality. 

I am so thankful for your big personality and I pray that you are always full of confidence so you can stand for your beliefs. I am in awe of you and Will and thank God every day that I was chosen to be your Mommy.  I know I have written that before, but I truly cannot put into words the overwhelming sense of gratitude I feel for each of you.  Your Daddy is so very smitten with you and when you take his hand to walk to his car for "moms morning out" he beams at the sight of you.  Will is not always kind to you, but he worries about you and protects you so much-and I love this about him being the big brother.  A few weeks ago he was crying at bedtime because he wanted "my sister" and you had already gone to bed.  I was getting ready the other morning while y'all were in the den, and I came in to find him "reading" a book to you...my heart melted because it showed me how much he loves feeling like he's helping you. I pray that y'all have a special bond, and this has been my prayer since the day you were born.  I was so thankful that Will was going to have a little sister to love and watch out for. 

Happy 18 months Livi Lou!  Your Daddy and I love you to pieces and cannot imagine our family without you.  I am sad at times knowing you are growing up and that you are my last baby...but I combat that with all the joy that watching you grow up brings. 

Love, Mommy