Dear Daughter,

Someday, you might not get asked to Prom.
Go anyway.
We'll go buy a pretty dress and you can dance the night away surrounded by all of the people that wish their date would disappear too.
The best part is that you and I can go and eat ice cream afterwards and not be embarrassed when we've eaten so much that you have to unzip your dress.

Someday, you might not make the high school dance team.
It's ok.  I didn't make it either.
Just promise me that you won't stop dancing.
Dance wherever and whenever you want.
I'll even dance in the aisle of the grocery store with you, if you want.
Just keep dancing.

Do me a favor and don't wait around for others to let you into their clique.
Be the letter-inner.
Remember that you make friends by being a friend.
Being popular means nothing.
Being kind means everything.
Don't ever confuse the two.

Don't follow the trends, set the trends.
Remember that those that carry themselves with confidence are usually the trend-setters.
Be proud of who you are.
Don't apologize for it...ever.

Be nerdy.
Remember that your Nana prayed every night that her children would be nerdy.
She says that nerdy people are the most sure of themselves and happy with who they are.
Nana speaks the truth.

Read books.
Google everything.
Live in wonder.
Be friends with the teachers.
Be proud of the good grades that you earn.
Remember that every person in the world knows something that you don't.
Find opportunities to learn from everyone you meet.
They've got a lot to offer you.

Don't be afraid of hard work.
Big dreams require big work.
Don't wait around for someone else to make your dreams come true.
You've got this.
Don't be afraid of failure.
Failure is a sign that you are alive.
If we never experienced failure, success wouldn't be sweet.

Don't be a follower.
Be a leader.

Make it your goal to bring happiness to the world every day.
There are people crying in silent desperation all around us.
Let's find them and help them be happy.

The most important thing for you to know is that your parents are your biggest fans.
We spend so much of our day loving on you and kissing you that I'm not sure we'll ever be able to break that habit.
Sorry about that.
We will try to contain ourselves at some point.
That point is not anywhere in the near future.

If you ever wonder if I love you, come back and read this.
I love you so much that it makes my insides feel like exploding.
I can't describe this kind of love.
You'll understand it when you have a daughter of your own.
Until then, just trust me.

There will be disappointment and heartache during this thing called life.
That just means you are alive.

Love,
Mom

11

Dear Baby,

I just don't even know what to say.

You are 11 months old.

That means that the next birthday post will be for a one year old.

MY one year old.

How is that even possible?

This month was filled with exciting things.

You and I are still bff (but only when Papi's not around)

(truth be told, you are looking at Papi even in this picture...I am truly the third wheel)

Your excitement for, well, everything is contagious and oh-so-funny.

You giggle nearly nonstop.

It is the most wonderful joy bringing sound I've ever heard.

You are still really into taking self portraits.

#selfie

This month you proved that you truly are my daughter by seeking out the Diet Coke in the house and dumping it all over yourself and Nana's carpet.

Well done.

Nana bought you a phone.

You talk on it all day long.

I'm concerned about our future phone bills.

This month, you and I went on night swims almost every night.

It's our therapy.

You and Papi continued to fall in love.

Day

after day

after day.

You scored your first very own drink on one of our infamous Sonic runs.

Watching you drink out of a straw makes me feel like you are such an adult.

Knock it off.

You were especially helpful this month by helping me teach voice lessons.

You conducted the music while my students sang and made sour faces when they made sour sounds.

I celebrated the happiest Mother's Day of my existence this month.

You are I shared a Sandia con Menta popsicle and Papi whisked us around the city for the perfect Mother's Day date.

You made me a Mother and for that, I owe you one.

But perhaps my favorite part of this month was your new found obsession with the piano.

I park you here at least once a day and you serenade me.

It is really quite fabulous.

You are the best concert giver and I am a pretty stellar audience.

We are a good combo.

Our world continues to revolve around you and life has never been better.

Thanks for letting us kiss you incessantly and squeeze you to bits.

Let's go ahead and slow the next month waaaay down.

Love you, sweet one.

Love,

Mama

Unplugged

Today I went unplugged.

I told myself that I would answer the phone if it rang, but that would be it, until bedtime.

I am shocked at how much I accomplished.

Shocked and sorta disgusted.

Eeesh.

I just can't believe how much time I waste.

I am pretty sure that the greatest disappointment of my generation will be to look back on life and regret how much REAL LIFE we missed out on.