My little princess, the one who made me a mom, is a might two years old today. Happy Birthday, Penelope. The last two years with her have been the best and most amazing time in my life – it’s been crazy, of course, but also so rewarding and refreshing. Penelope is loud and sassy, loving and squishy, fearless and daring, and a ball of energy. She likes to make funny faces, ask “where’s the dog?”, watch Octonauts, play with blocks, follow Jackson around, climb up and down the stairs, fake cry, and eat (lots of eating!).
Every day I am so honored and overwhelmed to be her mama. Penelope is the best thing in the world, the cutest kid ever, the funniest one in our family, the second love of my life. I know this sounds super corny and cliché, but she makes me want to be a better person. I want to be a badass, fierce mama who is working, and building a life, who has a clear identity and values, who handles business but also runs the house, because I want her to look up to me. She makes me want to be the best possible Tiarra ever.
I have been super emotional all week thinking about today and now I’m a hot mess. So here’s a recap of some of the best moments with Penelope, what has stood out to me, what changed me, what has made the last two years the absolute best.
P was a big ass baby! I cannot state this enough but she was a hair under 9 lbs of pure squishiness. When she was born the attending OB actually said, “oh wow, this is a big baby.” During my pregnancy, my belly was HU-GE. So, so big that I was regularly asked if I was having twins.
My delivery was kind of a breeze hahaha.. weird, right? I was in labor for a total of 27 hours: 5 were at home and 22 were in the hospital. Hospital highlights:
- I had an epidural and was falling in-and-out of sleep for over 12 hours. I was very comfortable, very relaxed, and being pampered. The doctors were actually telling me to STOP falling asleep LOL
- I ate 14 orange jellos while in labor – amazing and delicious.
- Right before it was time to push I started freaking out and whispered to Mike, “I don’t think I can do this” and he replied, “it’s too late. You have to now” because I was literally SECONDS away from pushing
She just learned how to run and runs sideways and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen
When she first met Jackson she was a few days old and Mike was super nervous about how Jackson would respond. At first, he was hesitant and it took a while for him to warm up. But now?! Now he follows her around, she follows him around, she gives him snacks, he takes the snacks, they are in this together. When someone new comes over he positions himself to protect her and is her bodyguard.She just learned how to run and runs sideways and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen
P is independent and wants you to know it! She can walk up and down the stairs by herself, feed herself, protect her snacks from Jackson, carry her own toys, and even try to bathe herself. If you bother her she’ll hit your hand away.
Her favorite person is dada – without a doubt, not even up for discussion. She loves her dada so much and is always asking for him, reaching for him, or calling him over.
She also loves blueberries, bananas, and yogurt; her favorite person is dada – without question or competition; and she’s a social butterfly, saying hi with a head tilt and crooked smile.
Penelope, happy birthday, my queen.
Love always,
mama
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