"Mommy and Daddy"

Isabella, Age 3

Today you had your 2-year checkup.

You:

• Are 34.5 inches
• Weigh 24.8 lbs

You are doing so well for a child your age. Here you are clowning around, waiting to be seen. 

You were so scared of the doctor that you cried the entire time, which is highly unlike you. You usually do so great around adults. Maybe you thought you were getting shots (which you didn't, so it was all for nothing, haha!) You pulled the rubber bands out of your hair and refused to let me dress you again. It was the craziest thing watching you lose your mind. Once we re-did your hair and got you semi re-dressed I took you for ice cream to drown our sorrows. Needless to say it worked :)

Kid, you really are something else. You always manage to keep us on our toes. I can't really remember all the reasons why we waited so long to have you, but none of them were justified. You fit right from the moment you were born. You are the perfect fit. You are perfect for us. I love you so much, monster. 

two

Here we are, another year. I can't believe how fast this year has gone. I wish....I wish so much for you, little one. I hope that this year (and every year until forever), you know how special and loved you are. You are truly a ray of sunshine in our lives. I'm amazed at how someone so small can have such a huge personality. Even at this age, you are the bossiest, loudest, sassiest little thing....and I LOVE it! I can't wait to see what great things you accomplish.

Please, please, please stay this little forever. Please reach for my hand when the road is too bumpy, please ask me to always zip your jacket when you're cold,  please always scream "Mira, mami!!" when you've accomplished something big (no matter how small it may be to you, it'll always big something big to me). Always march to the beat of your own drum. Always stay this "independent". Always stay this headstrong (as your mom, I won't always remember that I told you to do this, but I promise that I DO appreciate this about you).

If you choose to grow up (which I highly suggest you don't, by the way), I want you to remember a few things:

We are your biggest fans (Team Heras forever), your best-est friends (even when it doesn't seem that way) and your harshest critics (only because we'll see your full and true potential, even when you won't). You are amazing, and we are lucky that you joined our little party....we're so glad to have you!

Happy Birthday. I love you, munchkin. Forever. 

choir

You're a very shy child. I'm not sure if you will always be this shy; but right now, you're a total introvert. A couple of months ago you were chosen to be in the school choir. In the past, you've done extracurricular activities, but they're all been more of a "mom signed me up" thing. This was the first thing that you really did on your own, because you really wanted to.

You were so apprehensive to be doing something SO public, but were excited at the same time. There's only 18 kids in the choir out of the entire school. Every Tuesday and Thursday you stay after school to rehearse. Then you rehearse in the car, at home, in the shower (pretty much anywhere withing a hearing distance). For 2 months, I've heard these two songs over and over and over. So when your big day FINALLY came, I had to make sure that I had a front row seat. 

It goes without saying, how proud of you we all are. It's such a joy for us to see you step out of your comfort zone to try new things. Always remember no matter what you do, we'll be always be in the front row to cheer you on.

Front and center. Go Belly!

valentine

Isabella,

You are an amazing, sweet, intelligent, funny and thoughtful student. You are going to do great things one day and I am honored to know that I was part of your life. 

                                         

                                                                                                             Love,

                                                                                                           Ms. Leff

I found this tucked away in your backpack. Ms. Leff wrote each student a little Valentine message. If by now you haven't noticed, there are a lot of people rooting for you. If you ever need a word of encouragement, read through any of these letters and know that there are SO many people in your corner, kid.

valentine's day 2016

Who's Valentine's Day can top ours? NOBODY'S! At your dad's request, I watched The Godfather with him while Ellie napped and Bells did her homework (you'll learn how valuable a good compromise really is). Then while me and Ellie played with blocks and watched Sofia the First (or as you say it now, FIA!), Dad and Belly made us the most amazing steak dinner. The entire day was perfect. Thank you so much for being my Valentines.

(Also, you guys make the cutest little Cupids ever...HAHA!)

You three will always be my Valentines. I love you. Forever.

We're so close babies! This weekend, we all put in major work around the house. This has been a long time coming, and all the countless hours of stressing and planning are finally starting to pay off.

Our new house has truly been a labor of love; I'm so happy to see you get excited to help out. This assures me that you will love and appreciate it as much as we do. This house is tangible proof of how far me and your dad have come in our marriage, and nothing gives us more joy than to be able to provide these things for you girls.