Dear Frog,
My beautiful girl.
How on earth did you get so big? You’re all long and lanky now, just like your dad. Your gorgeous skinny legs – although far too flexible – remind me of a dangly scarecrow. Not much different to the day you were born, really.
This day two years ago, we looked at you as you slept in your clear plastic bed, discussing your frog-like feet and scarecrow limbs. Love hit us like a bullet.
I just want to kiss those legs. Especially when they’re bare, running naked in the garden on a hot sunny day. You hate it when I grab you for a kiss though. You laugh, “No Mummy!”. Then you’ll give in and submit to “The Mummy Love”, letting me give you a cuddle for a split second, before batting me away to continue with your game.
You’re a fierce, independent, stubborn, cheeky, loud little spirit now.
You have tantrums. Regularly. You like food, drawing with crayons (often on the furniture), talking on the phone to your Mar Mar and splashing in the bath.
You also like “CAKE!” and “CHOC CHOC!”. This often causes problems, especially when you decide to express your heartfelt love for said treats in the middle of the vegetable aisle in Sainsburys.
But, I must admit, I love to see you devour a cheeky cupcake or chocolate button. Your excitement is on a par with mine over a glass of wine on a Friday evening.
This is you a year ago, at your 1st birthday party. You’re covered in cake after having a food fight with BB, the little girl you met through my blog. BB belongs to Northern Mum and she’s also rather partial to a spot of chocolate.
Look at you. Beautiful girl.
We’ve had a quite a year.
You were bridesmaid to Daddy and I when we got married last August. You cried during the ceremony, but then had quite a time on the bouncy castle and enjoyed clapping and cheering during the speeches. You’re a born performer and love to be part of the action.
You also rather like your own company and become engrossed in drawing pictures, sorting shapes or doing jigsaw puzzles.
You are such a girl. You brush your doll’s hair (named Euan, after your friend at the childminder’s) and paint crayon onto your eyelids, no doubt copying me doing my make-up. I caught you trying on my heels the other day, while you dangled one of my bras on your head. When I laughed, you reached up and dabbed some of my deodrant on your armpits.
You’re a happy child, now. This wasn’t really the case six months ago.
You wanted to walk, you see. But your hypermobile joints and flat feet wouldn’t let you. We were all very worried. No one knew what was wrong with you, just that something was, indeed, wrong.
I was told you wouldn’t walk without help. You clearly thought, sod that, and couldn’t be bothered to wait for your turn on the ever-long NHS waiting list. You’re yet to receive your special boots and physio treatment, but you’ve defied them all and now walk everywhere.
I’m so proud of you.
You’re unlikely to realise how deeply felt even just one spec of my love is for you, little girl. The understanding of how it often roots me to the spot, unable to move, is not something you’ll comprehend any time soon.
It burrows deep, down through my feet, twisting into the earth so that at times I have to simply stand and catch my breath, just to look at you. This love that I feel for you, it can’t be measured. It’s impossible.
But you’ll know one day, little Frog.
When you’re a mum, you’ll know.
Happy birthday my beautiful girl. I love you.
Mummy xxx
What a lovely letter to send your daughter on her birthday. Beautifully written and I’m sure she will treasure it as she gets older.
Hopefully – it’s nice for me to have as a reminder anyway!
Absolutely beautiful Molly, its been a tough year but just look how far Frog has come already. A letter to treasure. xxEnjoy your afternoon together. xx
Thanks Em – we will do. I plan to eat cake and enjoy every moment with my newly-turned 2 year old! x
Brought a tear to my eye. If only they could understand our love for them. Happy birthday, Frog, and congratulations on everything you’ve achieved.
Thank you – must be something about birthdays, such a potent milestone and opportunity to look back, I’m an emotional wreck today! x
This is the most memorable birthday present she’ll have. She was beautiful even when newly born. Mine were scaly and purple for days!
Don’t be fooled by this picture of her sleeping – she was also very loud (and still is).
That’s just lovely. How wonderful that she is walking too! Happy birthday sweetie
Thank you – walking is the best present she could have had!
Such a lovely post. My daughter turns two in September and it’s amazing how looking back at when they were tiny feels like just yesterday! x
Doesn’t it just? Goes far too fast!
Aww she’s gorgeous! Happy Birthday!! xxx
Thank you x
Such a lovely post! Happy birthday to your little girl x
Ah, thank you – birthday greetings passed on! x
Ahhh that is lovely, brought a tear to my eye. Happy Birthday Frog! X
Thanks lovely xx
I’m catching myself reading this post, trying not to cry. How beautiful. Happy birthday, F!
You should have seen me as I was writing it – an emotional wreck! x
Bring on the food fight what libs lacks in walking she makes up for in food flinging…
I’ll set aside some cakes just for the purpose…
How do they ever get to two?! Sometimes they just seem to GROW in a nap. Get more gorgeous overnight. Lovely lovely post. Happy birthday to your (feisty) little chick and well done you and well done her. x
You’re so right, they grow right before our eyes, far too quickly! x
What a lovely letter. I should probably not have read it in a crowded train as I’m now trying to pretend I just got a speck of dust in my eye… Happy birthday Frog!
Ha – sorry about that! Made me cry writing it! x
Lovely Post; she is a beautiful child and you a beautiful Mum
Ah, thank you! x
Oh damn, I’m crying now!
xxx
Sorry! I was a tad emotional as I wrote it too. x
You really are a wonderful mum. I am very proud that your are my daughter and very lucky that Freya is my third very special girl. Love ma x
We love you too Ma. xxx
Awwww, lovely Molly. See you tomorrow. xx
It was lovely to see you! xxx