Today, that seems so long ago, and yet every time I see you I wonder at the miracle you are. Time flies with you, my Bean. You have sprouted and grown in so many ways, and Daddy and I are so proud of you. You are strong, and smart, and TALL, and you sparkle. Everything you see is interesting and exciting, and you drink in the stuff of this world with incredible enthusiasm. Your eyes gleam, as you ask me "What's dis, Mama?" and wait for me to share in the discovery of a new treasure - a worm, a bumblebee, a dandelion, a ripe tomato. Your knowledge of plants amazes me every day - you know all about how to tell the difference between a blackberry that is "ready" and one that needs to "wait tomorrow, not ready yet." And you know that red tomatoes are ready, but you prefer to eat the green ones. You help me in the garden almost every day, pulling weeds, digging holes, planting seeds, and moving stones. You've taken to gazing out the upstairs window that looks out over the back yard, proudly telling me, "Dat's my garden." Yes, my girl. Yes, it is. The world is your garden.
Every day, you fill this world with your bright light, your "miex" (music), and your earnest love for everything and every one. You have a beautiful gift for making others feel special and loved, stopping to say hello to anyone we meet. The glimmer in their eyes says that you've made their day. And animals! Did I mention animals? You are so gentle with them - they seem to know right away that you are their friend. Last week we visited with family, and there were two cats there. One followed you around everywhere, and the other (who was shy with everyone else) peeked her head out each time you were in the room with her. Ra-ra (Roxie) was one of your first words, and you and she are good friends. Now you call her "Roxie Bear," like I do, and you serve her tea and play dress-up with her. She loves you just as much. Each morning, as soon as you are awake, Roxie eagerly waits at the bottom of the stairs, her tail thumping loudly against the front door. She cries with excitement that you are up. And "Mammy" - that's what you first called Sammie. Now you call him "Sama-lama," or "Buddy," and you always make sure to feed him and play ball with him. He's a Mama's boy, and he sticks close to my side, but often the two of you will curl up together on my lap to read a story. The three of you love to go outside together, running up the steep hill in our back yard to chase birds together and look for "chik-a-munks."
Your Daddy and I love watching you grow. We love dancing with you, singing with you, reading stories with you, and exploring the world with you. Every day you surprise us, and we are so thankful for you. Before you were here, I couldn't possibly have imagined what a fabulous family we would be. Now, I blink my eyes with amazement each day, and thank God for all that we have. Happy birthday, little Bean. Thank you for making our world so wonder-full.
