Miriam

Oh Miriam, how have we got here? You are two! Two years old! So much has happened in those two years it is hard to believe you've been here such a short time and yet I can't believe you've been here so long!

You have always had a very sweet temperament and as a toddler this is no less true than it was before.  You love to care for people and help people. I will be hanging out laundry and I'll hear a wee voice pipe up "I help?" and then you do.  You like to help with whatever you can, like tidying up the toys at the end of the day and you like to make sure that people are warm enough and don't need a blanket.  You are particularly keen just now that Lydia always be wearing a hat.  If anyone seems not on their usual form you'll be there making sure they are not a "bit sad?"

You like to take your time to suss out a situation before you interact with things. Lydia was four days old before you wanted to cuddle but you were beautifully gentle once you did. You are shaping up to be a wonderful big sister although I can tell you are a little put out not to be littlest any more. Sorry about that.  In time I think you'll enjoy being able to boss Lydia around, at toddler groups you like to make the most of being one of the bigger ones and normally being one of the more verbal ones.

Your speech is amazing for your age, your vocabulary is large and you are also incredible at putting together sentences.  "Mummy, why you sitting in Daddy's chair?" being an example of something well within your capabilities.

You love to draw and you are quite good at it too.  Puzzles are another favourite and you often have  a go at your sister's ones too for a bit more of a challenge.  You are very much getting into imaginary play too with our toy kitchen seeing daily use as well as games of doctors or mummy and baby if they're instigated by Naomi.  Another favourite activity is playing with our train set or pushing cars around. You will also spend ages playing with our doll's house or our "Peppa house" making up games for all the characters.

You love your teddies, Cat (in the picture above), Doggy (and currently Peppa) go pretty much everywhere you do and you like to cuddle Cat in particular if you're feeling unsure in any situation. They would all benefit from a few more trips through the washing machine and I fear they will fall apart before you are ready to give them up but I love that you gain comfort from something so simple.  With Cat by your side you are willing to go to creches or to try out new toddler groups without much fuss and you are a blessing to Mummy in this way.

You are very funny, you make us laugh lots. Like thanking Jesus for cake every night, I think just because you know it makes us smile. You have a great sense of comedic timing with a well timed question or smile bringing a room to laughter.

I love watching you make friends, just now you are happy to be friends with Naomi's friends but you are very sociable, love being around people whether we go to someone's house to play or even better have someone come and stay in our house for a more constant source of play mate.

It has been an incredible year watching you grow and flourish, I am genuinely excited to watch you develop as a big sister and grow this year from a toddler into a little girl.  You are very precious and I fear that my parenting skills aren't up to the task, you are so different to Naomi that I haven't developed techniques for a child with a gentler spirit but I trust that God will help me help you grow, learn and develop into the beautiful child He has made you to be.

I love you baby girl and still can't believe that I get to be your Mummy this and every day.

This will be my prayer for you as you grow

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

                                                                                                                          Philippians 4:5-9