Four.

Four. One less then 5, almost an entire hand and the age my sweet not so little girl is about to be. I swear I blinked and four years flew by before my eyes. As her birthday rapidly approaches I can't help but look back on all the memories both beautiful and challenging that these past years have brought us. And so with that, my Addie girl, this blog is for you. Happy (almost) 4th birthday my dear.

Four years ago I went to bed with not sugar plums dancing in my head, but the hopes and dreams of all that the sweet little baby in my belly would be. For 9 months I had dreamt of who you would look like, holding those sweet little hands and loving on you unconditionally. And let me just say Addie, the minute I laid eyes on you, you blew every thought I ever had away. You were and still are the most beautiful and perfect little girl. Four years ago you came into this world and stole my heart, and every day since I have fallen more in love with you.

I should of known when I was pregnant with you what I was in for. There was not a single day I ever needed to do the kick count with you, as you reached that within seconds of me waking up in the morning and never stopped as the day went on. You were always the most active and as my doctor always referred to you as, happy baby. You however liked to keep me on the edge of my seat, beginning with braxton hicks at way too early in the pregnancy to being diagnosed as an IUGR baby, you always found a way to keep things interesting (still do). Four years ago you set the bar for what was to come long before you entered this world earthside.

You came into this world tiny but mighty and everyday since you have continued to prove that. These past four years life has thrown more obstacles then I can count your way and with each one of them you have handled them with strength and grace. Okay and maybe with a little bit of whining and tantrums (okay a lot), but what kid wouldn't? You found your voice at a very young age and have made sure that same voice is still heard just as loud and clearly. And while there are days that voice is used to yell (at me- gotta love mom/daughter relationships), there are adequately more that you spend using it to stand up for others, do what is right and make people laugh. In these short four years you have made quite the impact on this world.

My Addison Charline, I pray you continue to march to your own beat. I hope that no matter how old you are you continue to stick up for yourself and show the world the upmost kindness. This world needs that smile of yours. Promise me you won't waste time on people who refuse to root for you or even show you an ounce of the love you deserve. And my sweet girl I pray above all you continue to be that beckon of hope, that ray of sunshine and reason for people on their hardest days. Addison, please don't ever stop being you.

Four. One less then five, almost an entire hand and the age my sweet not so little girl is about to be. Here is to another 4 years of you speaking your mind, giving people the sass they deserve and being truly one of a kind. I love you baby girl.

And oh, promise me with each passing birthday you will continue to show as much joy and excitement as you do now about your age, because trust me when I say that will go away.