Dear Mila,
In just a few short hours, at 11:32 am, it will have been exactly one year since you quietly stormed into this world. You were so late to the party, years even, and yet it seems as if you arrived exactly on time. It's like you've always been here and yet there was a hole where you belonged for so long. It's weird this thing you do to time and life. You make them speed up and slow down and flip upside-down.
We wouldn't have it any other way.
In the time that you've been here, you've proven that you have opinions and you're not afraid to use them. For example, you've developed the habit of responding to things like "No" and "Stop that" with a string of "Yes yes yes." You think you're funny, and you are, but you also think you're going to do exactly what you want to do when you want to do it.
It's your world. You just allow the rest of us to live in it.
You're simultaneously fiercely independent and yet refuse to do anything alone. I suppose that's in part because you're so accustomed to having your sister at your beck and call. She is your partner in crime, your source of entertainment, and your best friend. The two of you spend hours giggling at the silliest of things. You were meant to be together.
I hope it's always like that.
Months ago, I was positive we were going to be in big trouble because you became mobile early. And, yet, you haven't taken your first steps. It's a surprising thing that is most likely born of your sudden desire to tell everyone what you think. Those opinions, man. You can't be satisfied with saying "Yes." You also needed to be able to say "dog" and "kitty" and "fish" just in case the "mommamomma" and "dadadada" seemed too complimentary.
Sometimes you use your words correctly, other days you insist the cats are actually dogs. When I remind you that the things with whiskers are "kitty," you correct me. "Dog dog dog dog dog ... god." I'm not sure why you often suddenly reverse the letters, but you do. It's as if you are fully aware that it's the cats who truly rule the world.
And you. You rule our world as well.
From the giant blue eyes that miss absolutely nothing to the way you have to touch every single thing in your path, you're amazing. We're so very glad you chose to join our little party. I'm glad that you're giving me the opportunity to spend the next several years trying to figure out the right words to tell your story and convey just how amazing you are.
I hope you have the happiest of birthdays, Miss Mila.
Love,
Mommommommom