A Letter To My Daughter On Her 2nd Birthday

Dear Teigan – Happy Birthday!

You know all those cliches about time passing by so quickly – they’re all true! Especially as a mom watching her baby transform before her eyes. It feels like yesterday we brought you home and fussed over your tininess. But, somewhere between yesterday and today, you my sweet baby girl became a beautiful and curious toddler.

As your mum, I set to teach you all about life but as the quote goes, “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” – Angela Schwindt

So Teigan Antoinnette, our refreshing Sweet Tei, happiest of birthdays to you!   Today I want to celebrate you, not by singing happy birthday but by sharing 5 things you have taught me before the age of two.

5 Things You Taught Me Before You Turned Two

Wake Up With Appreciation

My favorite part of the day is waking you up every morning. You always greet me with the biggest hug around the neck. Those hugs – are a pretty big deal around here. But, the best part is when I tell you that I love you and you always respond, I love you more! I have been trying to make a habit of waking up and thinking of at least three things I appreciate or am grateful for and it really sets the tone of my day.

Don’t Give Up

Oh man, I have watched you explore new things with great persistence and confidence. Learning to walk was nothing short of inspiring because each time you fell, you would laugh, clap and just try again. It was like you were cheering yourself on and – it worked! As adults we tend to get discouraged far to easily and give up up much to quickly. I can only imagine all the things we could accomplish if we weren’t fixed on getting affirmations externally but instead had confidence to affirm our own beliefs.

It wasn’t long before your walking evolved to running. Ha, I think you realized that if you went quicker, you got further before falling which meant less boo-boos. Teigan, that is what we call momentum. Hold on to momentum because it will get you through many endeavors.

Be Present

It’s so easy to get caught up in this thing known as adulting. I often find myself rushing from point A to point B without even acknowledging the in between. Watching you explore new things is always a joy. The way you get excited about rain, snow, puppies and fuzy caterpillars always brightens my day. If 2020 brought anything good it was the forced opportunity to slow down and be more present.  As the virus hit record highs, we were all strangely caught in the middle of point A and Point B.  Plans were cancelled and the future was unknown…all that was left was the present and no one knows how to enjoy the present better than a toddler. It was a true gift being in lockdown with you and just being your mom.  When I lose focus you always bring me back.

Routines Can Be Productive

I love how you look forward to things like brushing your teeth in the morning or reading books during bath time. Your routine sets my routine and I’m not mad about that. Routines may not be spontaneous but they are far from boring. It’s nice having something to look forward to beginning and finishing.

We’re Always Growing

Watching you transform from a baby to a toddler reminds me that a lot of changes occur in a month – even when they aren’t visible at first glance. As I reflect on your growth the eve of your birthday, I am reminded that even as adults, we are still growing, learning new things and becoming newer versions of ourselves. Yes, even when those changes are not incredibly visible, we are still growing.

My Birthday Wish For You

I know we are heading into the stage commonly referred to as “terrible twos” but honestly, I don’t think twos are that terrible. Most likely you’ll have some big emotions that we’ll have to work through but we’ll get through it together. I hope you always wake up with a heart of appreciation. That you continue to be in awe of life, try new things with confidence and never quit before things even begin. Teigan, every day with you is a gift. You are truly loved and treasured sweet girl.

Happy 2nd Birthday!!

With Love From Mum

~XO

You can also read her birthday letter from last year,  A letter To My Last Born On Her First Birthday if you missed it!