Happy Birthday Summer

This is my baby girl who turned 3 on January 18th.  What to say?  She's precious.  She's my third daughter, but my sixth child.  As a baby she was mostly easy, mild mannered and for the most part quiet.  But, that all changed one day shortly after she turned a year old.  She became what I would describe as the most willful, stubborn, and independent toddler that may have walked the face of this earth.   

I know...everyone thinks their children are willful and independent.  Summer takes those terms to the tenth level.  Just look at her precious face.  How can it be, you ask?  Oh, but she is.  As I'm reflecting on raising her so far, I want to say that I love the mother I've been to Summer.  She's given me some of the meanest fits, tantrums, etc, that I've seen as a mom.  But, since I've done this five times before her, I've got her wired.  :)  I'm so thankful for the experience with other children I've had to mellow out and to be able to maintain boundaries with her.  I know that because of the mother I've been to her she's happy and becoming more and more well adjusted.  

I've had to train her to say, "okay mommy," instead of, "NOOOOOO!!!!!!."  And believe it or not, all on her own, most of the time she says, "okay mommy," in the sweetest little voice of hers.  

If you cant tell by the pictures I'm absolutely number one in her world.  There is nobody else who can sing to her at night, scratch her back or tuck her in the way I do.  And she doesn't give out free kisses to anyone but me.  I feel so lucky.  :)  Truly.  She is attached to my hip and she has been since day one.  I love her beyond belief.  

It's funny how personalities are so different.  Having seven of them, I can really see this.  Summer, although happy, seems to have a bit of an internal struggle going on.  She's starting to mellow.  But, there is an intensity that I haven't seen since my first son, Kalen.  

She and Kalen are the most alike.  They are willing to go to battle for what they believe in, for sure.  Whether it be for a bottle, brushing her own teeth, putting her seat belt on herself, holding William (who now weighs almost as much as her), or keeping the light on in her room as she's going to sleep, she is willing to go to the "front lines" for these things.  My patience has grown times one thousand because of Summer.  Thank you my Tumsy, for refining me, because you certainly have.  

Below, is the internal struggle I talked about above, that she has within herself.  "To be happy, or not to be happy?", it seems is a common theme in her little soul.  

But, low and behold, she always ends up with a smile.  She is a gem.  She is truly one of a kind.  She is motivated beyond belief, super independent, and very smart.  There's no pulling the "wool over her eyes," in any circumstances.  She's way to aware of her surroundings for that.  :)  

Summer is a big sister and also a little sister.  She loves babies, waffles, pancakes, being with her mom, and going to the beach.  

As of late, she is attached to Georgia.  She will often say things like, "is Georgia going too?

   Georgia is the sister right above her.  And it's so precious to see her love Georgia the way Georgia loves their oldest sister, Gwyneth.

So, to my precious Summer Love, you are my baby girl.  You keep me on my toes, and I suspect you always will, but I'm prepared for it.  I love you for your passion, and for the love that you have for me.  I can't imagine life without you.  I love you forever.  Happy Birthday to you.  xoxoxo