Happy birthday, sweet girl. We are celebrating your 5th birthday today, and I am blinking back tears. I have no idea how you have grown so fast. Spencer and I took you to the pool last night to swim with your brother, and I watched you dart around with your floaties on, out into the deep waters. You no longer cling to the side, or rather, to my side, as you flit through the water. You are a whole hand, no longer a little baby, but still, always my little baby. You made me a mama, and I prayed for you so much, sweetheart. I nestled you for 9 long months, and 3 days past your due date, and I cried so much when I first held you against my chest. You nuzzled to me and you and I, we figured out what nursing was like together. We got through long bouts of crying and all those nights we spent together, just you and me, in Korea when Daddy was gone for weeks on end with the Army. It was you and me against the world, Cori.
You know, you can be a real pistol, little one. You are the hardest thing I've ever done, but you and your brother, dear, make me the proudest mama in the world. I don't always have as much as patience with you as I wish I did, but we're still learning this life together, baby, and I hope that I am growing everyday as a mama just as you are growing up everyday.
Even when you drive me crazy, and want to change your hairstyle ten million times in a matter of fifteen minutes, or decide you need to change your shoes the moment I finish tying them, I love you. I love you when you throw a fit about your bagel cracking in half, or your syrup being poured in the wrong spot on your plate. I love you in the middle of the night when you crawl into my bed just to get more cuddles, or at night, when you sneak from your room a hundred times for "just one more hug". I love the way you love your brothers, and the way you get so excited when you get to see "Foxy". I love that you love Spencer, even if I get jealous when you want him to do everything for you instead of me. I love that you constantly request that Spencer and I give you a little sister, ("but NOT another little brother") and then shove one of your dolls up my shirt and pretend that she's your new little sister. I love the silly voices you make when you say "Get me ouu-ut" or "1, 2, 3... fart, fart, fart!" Yes, even then, my dear.
You make me laugh and cry and smile and you make my whole heart swell up with every emotion imaginable. You are my favorite little girl, Cori Aletta, and I will always love you.
Always,
Mama
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