Dear Hayden,

I took this picture of you today because you’ve been running around in your Snow White dress up all afternoon.

Watching you today made me think.

When your brother gets here in a few weeks, and you seem to be such a big girl, this is what I’ll see.

When you head off to kindergarten and our every day time together is over, this is what I’ll see.

When you get to middle school and kids are mean and I can’t protect you, this is what I’ll see.

When you graduate from high school and get ready to leave home, this is what I’ll see.

When you meet the love of your life and get married, this is what I’ll see.

When you are a mother yourself, this is what I’ll see.

I’ll see you, three feet tall and playing in a princess dress. I’ll see these days when when we spent our time together having a generally great time. I’ll see your sweet little three-year-old face smiling back at me. I love you more life itself, and I can’t wait to see who you grow into… but you will always be my little girl.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Today you are 3 years old! You are such a spirited little girl! You have a great sense of humor and you make our lives so bright!

Today you celebrated at preschool with your friends, ate lunch and went swimming with Hannah Jane and then had dinner with Nana and Papa and Dad and me. It was a great way to celebrate sweet little you!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Yesterday we had your birthday party at Pump It Up. You and all of your friends had a fantastic time!

Heading out:

Jumping with friends:

Slide with Daddy and Jaxson:

You and your friends:

Blowing out your candle:

Eating  a birthday cupcake:

Opening presents:

It was so fun watching you have such a good time with your friends!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

As of today, your big girl room is finished! You’ve been sleeping in a big girl bed all summer, but today Dad and Papa put together your headboard (which we designed out of a piece of fence to match your bird/outdoor theme), and that makes the room complete! To tell you the truth, I cried the day this summer when they moved your big girl bed in, and took your crib out. I love watching you grow and change, but it’s all happening a little too quickly for me. I love being with you, and I don’t want these precious years to end.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Baby,

Today we’ve been working on the finishing touches for your room! We got some storage baskets, some picture frames and a hat rack. I am going to paint you a piggy bank, and I think that will be the last little detail! We will have to fill the picture frames and hang the letters of your name after you get here, though!

I also made a collage of some of your ultrasound pictures. It says “We dreamed of you…” and that is the truth! We dreamed of and prayed for you long before you were on your way, and now we are only 86 days away from the day you are due to arrive. We just can’t wait to meet you!

Love you,
Mama