Giving Thanks.

My Dearest Gabriella,

It has been way too long since I updated your blog. Granted, I have been busy raising you while working. But I am ashamed of how long it has been. You have changed so much and I feel that by not keeping this up to date with all of your many, many changes I have some how let you down or missed out. In reality, however, we have built some wonderful memories that I shall always cherish.

Today you turn 22 months old. I cannot believe this. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday I held you as a tiny little bundle in my arms. Now when I hold you, it is clear that you are no longer a baby. You are a toddler, through and through. The baby is gone. I will always miss those days and yearn to return to them - you are the first child of my own that I have had the privilege of holding in my arms. You are the baby that has taught me how to be a mother.

Yet, no matter how nostalgic I am about that first year of your life, I am loving this second year just as much! This is such a fun age to witness as a parent. The emergence of an independent spirit, an individual, is evident. Your giggles are infectious too! So many firsts are still happening, and then when I think about it, I stand amazed at how much you have already done at your young age!

You are already an international traveler! You are showing signs of understanding words in two different languages and your vocabulary is amazing. You have mastered walking, running and hopping. You have even survived your first road trip! Each day you sing, you dance, you smile, you talk, you give kisses. I love the way you blow kisses too. There is a movie-star quality to those, almost regal in a way. You are my true joy.

You are curious. You are playful. You have an attitude all your own and a determination that won't budge unless you give it permission to do so. I watch you amazed at how far you have come, how interesting this magnificent, big world is to you. It is like I am a child again when I try to see things through your big, brown eyes.

You took your first road trip last August from Salt Lake to Denver. You were a true trooper. We took a long weekend trip to Golden, Colorado to watch Uncle Carl marry Twila. It was a very emotional time for your Mommy. She was so happy for her uncle and cousins, but definatly felt a huge rush of emotions and memories of her Aunt Mary. How I wish she could have had the chance to meet you and hold you in her arms. She would have loved you. Your mother really misses her Aunt Mary. I hope that you never lose an auntie because it really does hurt when it happens. This was my first time back to Golden since her funeral and it was rough on me. I am afraid that I, along with your Mama Jo and Aunt Rosie, managed to shed more tears than were appropriate. Your poor father! He was surrounded by bumbling, crying women the entire wedding!

Now for the fun trip: Last September 29th, you took your first ride on a plane, 2 of them actually. More importantly, you finally met your Abeulita, tio Poncho, tia Carmen, Giovana, Lalo and Mariana - and a whole slew of other people close to them in Guadalajara, Mexico. It was a truly beautiful trip. I love Guadalajara, and I think you did too. You certainly made yourself at home at your Abeulita's casa! The city is huge, but the people so warm. We found our home away from home. Sometime in the next few weeks, I will devote an entire post to this trip (better late than never!). But for today, my focus is on you.

Your vocabulary is outstanding. Shall we try to add up all of the words you can say? Mama, Papa, more, Rosie, Nick, Jodi, button, arm, nose, ears, diaper, cold, hot, water, agua, head, shoulders, knees, toes, fishy, weeeeeeeeeeee, choo-choo, car, walk, down, up, move it!, Bella, Allie, bubbles, chicken, shirt, shoes, boots, socks, sink, bath, MINE, pony, ducky, apple, Grandma, Grandpa, Poncho, Carmen, doggie, barney, drella (Cinderella) and many, many more. Sometime, I need to just sit and write all these words down so that I can count them all!

You dressed up as an adorable little Mexican girl for Halloween. You were just beautiful and still love that skirt! We picked up your outfit in Tonala after a very long day of shopping. It was a great investment, I think we paid $6 and that shirt will probably fit you for years. I walked with you and your classmates on a Halloween Costume Parade around the block. It was so fun! Then your class had a Halloween party that afternoon. We also had a Halloween party at Mama Jo’s that was fun too, until I dropped the camera and broke it! I think your favorite part of Halloween was the chocolate. Good Girl.

You experienced your 2nd Thanksgiving up at Aunt Susie's house. You ate, you played, you danced...yes, the kitchen became a dance hall and you loved it! The next morning you woke and asked "Where's Susie?" LOL I wish I had some pictures of you dancing that evening!

This was also your second Christmas and it was a real doozy. You just didn't feel well and were a bit too overwhelmed. You scored some great gifts: a Cinderella doll, a Cinderella dancing toy, Strawberry Shortcake dish-set, a new dolly, play dishes, a play kitchen sink, pretend food, a toy grocery cart with groceries, clothes, books, Mr. Potato Head, an aquadoodle, a cute pink hat with feathers….and more I am sure. It is too bad that you were so sick on Christmas and that next week though. But, you sure loved spending the next week with Mommy rather than in daycare. I sure hate it when you are sick sweetie. Wish I could have had that nasty cold for you!

And now here we are on January 10th, 2006. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. Your typical day now involves lots of playing (Mommy, pay. Mommy, saht.). You will soon be moving up to the butterfly class in school, where you will have a new teacher and join Autumn and Vivi. I sure will miss your old teachers, Maria and Chelsea, but I know you will be in good hands and will still get to see them too!

You are thriving. You are growing. You are happy. You are loved.

I could go and on with all the amazing things you are able to do. But I want instead to tell you how I feel about you.

I am so lucky to be your mother. You are an amazing girl, full of boundless energy and innocence. How did I ever get so lucky as to have you as my daughter? What did I ever do so right as to deserve something as wonderful as having you in my life. I love you precious. And, you love me too, this I know. We have a bond that is so very special.

I am so amazed to be your mother. You are growing so fast. As I look at pictures from your past, I stand amazed and teary at how much you have grown. You are such a little girl now. And so bright, so smart, so spunky. It has been an amazing journey to watch you grow these past 22 months, a journey that I know will only become more amazing as each day passes.

I am so honored to be your mother. What greater honor is there in life than to be a mother to such a wonderful daughter? Being your mother truly is an honor in every sense of the word.

I am so blessed to be your mother. You have blessed me in ways that I cannot adequately communicate. The best I can do is to say that you are in fact, the greatest blessing to me.

I am so humbled to be your mother. I look at you and know that there must be a God and that this is what life really is all about. Everything is different now. Life is different in ways that are hard to describe. My purpose for being here is you. And you are gift greater than anything I ever expected.

I love you with my entire heart and cannot imagine life without you. So thank you my sweet, darling, beautiful Gabby-girl. Thank you for being my daughter.

With great love and devotion, and many kisses too –

Your Mommy.