My Sweetest Tootie

My little Tootie is 3 years old today. I think that for the rest of my life seeing blossoms on the trees in the spring will remind me about the day my sweet Clara was born. I wish I could describe just what it was like the minute that they finally placed her in my arms. Surreal. I couldn't imagine another little person ever fitting there as perfect as she did. Clara is starting to not fit so perfect in my arms these days, and it makes both of us a little uneasy. If I could freeze her for a minute, I would freeze her right now. She is the sweetest little being I think I could imagine - she is incredibly sensitive, possibly to a fault - and catches on to everything. Everything I'm ever feeling, and usually before anyone else does. She is quick to tell me thank you - for everything (thank you for this most delicious dinner Mommy, thank you for making my hair look so beautiful today), and even quicker to tell me sorry - for everything. (Sorry for my runny nose Mommy, sorry for Grady hitting me Mommy, Sorry for crying Mommy, etc.) She melts my heart this little Lady. She is definitely 3; in attitude and in her amazing ability to melt into a tantrum faster than it takes me to blink. But it's okay. She'll learn and change and that will mean that she's grown up. And I just can't deal with that yet. So... bring on the tantrums sister (they're spare enough) and please just stay three for a few more years. You are one of the three best presents I could ever imagine.