Happy 2nd Birthday, Kayla!

Dearest Kayla,

Before you entered this world two years ago, I was informed that there was almost no more amniotic fluid for you to swim in....and yet you were hanging on, content to stay in your cave. And at 6:23 pm on February 28, 2011, it took two doctors to pull you out...something that might have been traumatic but was quickly forgotten once I heard "It's a girl!".  On some days, I think your birth represented how much you love your mommy...I mean, with 6/23 being my birthday and 2/28/11 being your daddy's and my ten year anniversary of when we met on spring break, so long ago.  However, on other days, I think your birth day was merely a sign of your future personality: confident in what you want in life with a boat-load of stubborness to back you up.  Girlfriend, you drive me crazy sometimes...and yes, I am blaming most of my grey hairs and the occasional need of an adult beverage before 5pm on you.  But I am so so SO in love with you and could not be more proud to call you my daughter.  I love the way you can dance at the drop of a hat, whether there is music playing or not....the way you have a "happy walk", that is half skip-half gimp....how you boss around and terrorize your older brother one minute but can dole out the hugs and kisses to appease him the next....how you use going to the potty as a bargaining tool....when your teachers at school tell me that "Kayla is in charge"....how you make tiny "lady spits" when brushing your teeth every night....how you are so insistent that you are turning "six" on your second birthday...how you always end up needing mommy to tuck you in at night....and of course, thousands of other tiny, minute things that make up each and every day we get to spend together.

Happy 2nd birthday, girl...I love you.

Mommy