Because I am here too

Vanessa Lentine Photography

Because you're still so little

Because you say "gweem" instead of green

Because if it doesn't twirl it may as well be donated - skirt size matters

Because your ringlets may disappear with your first haircut

Because your best idea is always, always, always a purple Popsicle

Because you lean your head to the side and place your hands together when you're being sweet or tying to get your way

Because we can convince you to eat chicken if we clap really hard and yell out "YAY!" after every bite

Because you still let me rock you like a baby, even if only for a minute, after a bath

Because you have an odd fascination with "scary spiders"

Because every night we say "I love you", "I love you more", "I love you most!" (even though it's what Rapunzel's evil mom says in Tangled)

Because dancing around to bibbity-bobbity-boo is your absolute favorite

Because when daddy leaves it's always traumatic - even if it's just to take out the garbage

Because one day you will grow up

Because I am your mama, and I was there too.

This year I am forcing myself to get in front of the lens more. For P's memories and for my own. I don't want to look back at her whole childhood and not have myself in more photos. It's my 2017 challenge to myself and I encourage you to do the same.

Because you are here too and one day she will want to look back and remember. She won't notice you don't have makeup on or the number on the inside of your pants. She will just see her mama that she loves so very much.