Yesterday Lily turned 3.
Every year when I try to write about Lily I struggle to put in to words who she really is.
Over the last year Lily has changed and grown in many ways. But in the main ways, the important ways, she's stayed exactly the same. She's bigger and louder and more confident. But she's also still as gentle and sweet and loving as always. And she is still honestly and literally the most grateful child ever to be born.
The 'Thank you Mama's' are always unbidden and always genuine. She thanks me for every dress, skirt, legging, blouse, toy, quilt and blanket that I've ever made and tells anyone passing that I made her dress, skirt, blouse etc, with such pride that it can honestly bring tears to my eyes.
If I do something specifically for her it's often greeted with " for me? " said with such surprise that I often wonder if we neglect her without realising!
Lily will see that I'm tired or stressed or emotional and say to me "You ok Mummy? You ok?" She will stroke my face and climb on my lap whenever she thinks I need a cuddle. When Bella was little, I secretly enjoyed when she was poorly because it meant proper cuddles together, but with Lily, proper cuddles are on the cards each and every day. Alongside "I love you's" and "You ok?".
Which is not to say that she isn't cheeky and naughty and downright rude at times, because she is. She has recently started asserting her stronger and stronger opinions, with vehment "No's!" and "Yes, but's!" And can be an absolute nightmare to dress, feed and get out of the house if she's in her contrary mood.
But she's amazing. Amazing and wonderful and yet even more amazing. The way she speaks, the way she ambles, the way she kisses, the way she laughs, it's all amazing and beautiful.
And we're ever so grateful for her. For the "it's morning time" that greets us in her singsong voice every morning, to the hugs and kisses and immensely gentle care that she shows her new dolls and old dolls and dogs, bears and leopards alike!
If you met her, you'd know. Lily's not the same as everyone else, but that's not to say that she's not the best! Because she is.
And we love her to a painful degree.
Love. You. Lily.
Forever and a day. And the day after that.
