On May 13, 5 years ago, this beautiful babygirl was born. She is my heart, she is so full of love, and she is becoming more of an independent little lady every day.
I can only barely believe that my little baby who taught me how to breastfeed, who was my first little sidekick, is big enough to go to school. It makes my heart feel equally full with a melancholy disbelief, and full with a pride beyond words for the amazing little girl she is becoming.
She is a leader. Her teachers as pre-school voted her "Born Leader" when she graduated, and I couldn't believe that MY little girl is such a confident little leader. It's amazing to see her manifest into her own person, beyond things that her Daddy and I have taught her. She loves to gather people to play a game, even if she doesn't know anyone in the group. I have watched her walk up to a group of children, all older than her, and organize a new game she made up. And everyone listens and follows her! It's amazing to watch her confidence around people she doesn't know, with such a kind and friendly spirit about her. She loves meeting new people and making new friends. I call her our family spokesperson, because anywhere we go, she will say, "Hi! I'm Reilly. I'm 5 years old..." and go on to introduce our whole family. We will be out somewhere, and she will see children (at the ice cream shop, at the zoo), and ask, "Mommy, can I go make friends?". And she walks right up to make friends!
It's precious to watch Reagan, standing beside her, with her big smile. She's such a good little sidekick and is watching Reilly and learning. She now asks to go make friends when Reilly isn't there, and will go right up and say "Hi, I'm Reagan." in her own quieter way.
She is the epitome of a big sister. She loves being with her siblings, and is always watching out for them. If I am giving them a treat, she always hands them to her brother and sister before she gets hers. She can make Declan BELLY laugh just by making a silly face at him. She has had this skill since he was born, and it's amazing. No one can make him laugh like "Rei Rei". She always makes sure that everyone is holding hands when we are in the street. If we are on the sidewalk, she makes sure that her siblings are on the inside to protect them. If she is making them laugh, that is the happiest she could be. They have a precious little bond, and she is certainly the one who shows them how to be a sibling and a friend.
She loves to go to the park, and run around. She loves to do hair, and to have hers done. She has been braided her dolls hair since she was 3 years old, and she is always asking me to do elaborate and specific hairstyles in her hair. She loves making people laugh. She has a sensitive little soul, and gets emotional like an adult when she thinks about the people she loves. She loves being Mommy and Daddy's little helper, or going on special errands with one of us. She loves cooking and being my sous chef, or my "Souey" as she calls it.
She LOVES playing dolls. Dolls are still her favorite thing to do. All kinds of dolls with her Sissy. They have little princess dolls that they put in their purses can carry around, they have Barbie dolls (mostly princess ones) that they dress up and braid their hair, and baby dolls that they swaddle and tuck into beds made of washcloths. The dolls fall off of window sills and save each other, and have tea parties and picnics. Reilly is the Mommy, Reagan is the Aunt Mimi, and I am the Mima of the dolls. Suddenly I am catapulted into grandmotherhood at 28 years old. But these girls and their dolls, there is nothing more precious.
Going a long with the love of dolls, is the love of princesses. She loves them all, but a new one is her favorite each year. Her first and main love is Ariel. Next came Rapunzel, and then of course Elsa. This year it's Princess Aurora, which is a throwback and I kind of love. I don't hate on princesses like some other girl moms. Number one, you can't help it. They will love what they will love, and we happen to live in a very Disney-loving household. But also, the princess thing doesn't shape who she is in a negative way. She loves dressing up and pretty jewelry and fashion. She loves dirt and catching frogs and playing in the woods. She is a princess in every sense of the word, and she wants to be a botanist when she grows up so she could study plants. And "an engineer on the weekends".
This says:
I am 46'' tall
Nicknames: Rei Rei, Sissy
I love: my family, playing dolls, reading books, picking flowers, going to the park
Favs: princeses, crafts, pasta, tape gum, playing tag, Bible songs, bubbles, gardening, braiding hair
She is a bright light. She has seemed since she was born that she was destined for something great. She gives this glow where ever she goes. She makes people happy. She doesn't see things that other people see - she seems to see something more. She seems to see what is inside. She cares about peoples feelings, and will try to comfort even a stranger if they look sad. She is full of God's love, I can see it in her.
You amaze us sweet girl. You are a blessing to our family, and to anyone who get the joy of meeting you. Always be you. Be silly and courageous and bold. Be a leader, and lead others in the way you will go. Because sweet girl, you are going to good places. I can almost see the path you are skipping down, and it is a joy for us to watch you.
