Adeline Noel is 4

Having a birthday that falls right after Christmas is never going to be the same as if it were 6 months later, long after you haven't had a present or toy in ages. Also, it's so close to a holiday that most friends are gone visiting relatives or too busy to come celebrate. But, Adeline's 4th was shared with her closest friends and a delicious chocolate ganache cake. Yum!

So, you weren't our first born and maybe you weren't born during a hurricane like your brother, but you are the baby and the sweetest little charmer to complete our family that I could've wished for. Secretly I was hoping our third would be another girl and when the ultrasound confirmed that you would be our Adeline, I cried tears of happiness. You are so much more independent than your siblings have ever been, wanting to dress yourself, brush your hair and walking without holding my hand in the parking lot. But, you still wait at the top of the stairs when you wake up and say, " uh" "uh" until we hear you and come to sweep you up in a koala snuggle to carry you downstairs. You want your hair pushed behind your ears while you close your eyes in bed and love smashing the cats down so you can cover them with Addie love. When your brother is in school, it's your favorite thing to ride in his car seat, like it's a special privilege. You love to help me load the wash machine and also look for fleas on Big Gatsby. I laugh while watching you dance along to Britney Spears on the Wii and you really can do the moves. As each year passes, my heart aches a little more to watch you growing up and reaching the same heights and milestones that were just passed by Reece, only 2 years ago. Please slow down and let me savor your cuteness and be able to carry you when I want to feel like you are my baby again. Because before you know it, you will be like your baby giraffe sister who I can't carry or like your heffalump brother who weighs a ton. I can't believe that my baby is 4. When you start Kindergarten I think I'll have to sit in the grass outside your classroom and watch you so I don't feel lonely during the day. Happy Birthday Adeline, even though birthdays are a happy occasion, for a mother, it's just physical proof that you are slowly growing up and will be a young lady before I know it.