Ashley Turned Four

On Saturday, Ashley turned four. In the midst of the craziness that was that day, I didn't post my usual post I normally do on the girls' birthdays. So I am doing it today...and I am doing it in sort of retrospect...

Leading up to your birthday, I was nervous that it was going to be a really hard day. I could not believe you were turning four. It seems like yesterday you were a toddler like Audrey is now, running around, laughing like crazy.

And the day came and went, and I didn't cry. Not until Sunday night late, when I realized you were no longer my little girl. Then I cried.

You tell me to leave you alone sometimes. You get upset and you will retreat to your room. I know you need space and are trying to work things out on your own sometimes. You are so much like me it's scary.

But...I really shouldn't cry. You are such a happy kid. You love your family, all the grandparents, all the uncles. You love your friends. There isn't a day that doesn't go by that you don't mention Hayden this or Hayden that, or you tell me that you had fun playing with Audrey and Avery at school. Because they are your best friends.

You smile that goofy smile and Ray calls you "Old Grey Tooth" since that front tooth is discolored from the trampoline accident. You constantly ask us to have dance parties in your room. God, I hope you learn to love music as much as I do.

And you and your sister...when you wake up before she does in the morning, you get so excited to go to her crib when she wakes up. Only you can make Audrey hysterically laugh and make that crazy face she does. At the dinner table Audrey copies every time you tilt your head, and you love watching her do everything you do.

And as much as you are like me, you are just like your Dad. You and Ray can spend hours together just being together. Your love for him runs deep, and I know you will always be a Daddy's girl.

You are so funny, you hate sleeping with a blanket or comforter on you. Every night before I go to sleep, I go in your room and cover you back up. And sometimes I do that a few times a night.

You love to snuggle and hate sitting on the couch without someone to snuggle with. If I lay in bed with you for a few minutes at night, you grab my arm and wrap it around you.

Your smile melts my heart. Your "I Love You's" melt my heart even more.