For Eva on your 5th birthday
Eva,
Today you are five and for some reason, it feels like such a huge milestone. Five seems very grown up all of a sudden, no longer a baby, a toddler, or the pre-schooler you were last year. You have changed so much over the last twelve months and part of me will always feel as though I literally blinked and missed it.
Your birthday is always an emotional time of year for me, the very first rainbow that healed our hearts, and it is impossible for me to celebrate your day without thinking back to that miraculous moment when you came into the world, kicking and screaming with your beautiful big eyes wide open. I will never forget that moment, the over whelming feeling of relief, happiness and pride that six years after your brother left us, you were finally here and ours to keep forever.
You are such a Mummy’s girl, more so than any of your siblings, and you are never far from my side. I can’t even go to the bathroom some days without you tailing behind, wanting to know where I am going, what I am doing, just wanting to be close to me. You love nothing more than for us to snuggle up together, to place your cheek against mine and hold me tight, and I love those special moments, just you and me, and I cherish every single one.
At the same time, you have learned to throw the most diva like tantrum when you don’t get your own way, going from whining to hysterical in a split second. Your stubbornness knows no bounds and if you don’t want to do something, God help anyone who stands in your way. Far too often this year you have screamed yourself hoarse, your face bright red and blotchy, refusing to back down even when there is nothing left but sad, whimpery hiccups and a reluctant apology. I have no idea where you get that stubbornness from…….
You are so close with your brothers and sister, the bond that you share with each of them is so unique and so special. From the way that you look up to Lewis with so much pride and admiration, or the way that you are so protective and caring towards Harry. The bond that you share with Megan is very different as sisters, some days you are at each others throats and others it is impossible to determine where you end and Meggy begins. You love her in a way that I, who has never had a sister, can only stand back and be in complete awe of. I hope that those bonds you all share last forever.
Four has been a tough year for you, leaving the pre-school that you loved and starting primary school, something that was such a difficult transition for you. It was hard for me too, to be away from you each day after four wonderful years together, to fight against all of my maternal instincts and prise your little hand from mine and leave you there each morning. So many times I walked home with a lump in my throat, tears pricking my eyes, wondering whether I was doing the right thing to send you into school each day, whether it would ever get any easier to leave you there in tears.
And although we still have mornings where you create a thousand different reasons why you can’t possibly go to school that day, or moments where you cry and beg me not to leave you, we also have mornings where you go into school with a big smile on your face, giggling with your friends, waving me off without a care in the world, and I know that you will be okay. And actually school is the best thing that ever happened to you, as a child who is so desperate to learn, who has wanted to read and write since the moment you could talk, you have soaked up every ounce of knowledge over the last six months and I could not be prouder of your progress.
Your favourite thing to do is to write, and I see so much of myself in you in that way. You come home from school each day with little books you have pieced together with cellotape, page after page of writing and illustrations, in the same way that I did at your age. You always have a pen in your hand, a notebook to hand, asking me “How do I spell dinosaur?” or “Look at this dragon I drew!”. Your imagination is amazing and I have no doubt that you will continue to thrive in school and, who knows, maybe one day you’ll be a writer just like Mummy.
You are stunningly beautiful, something which you are all too aware of, and you love nothing more than dressing up, instructing me on how to style your hair, paint your fingernails and buy you pretty things.
You are kind and inquisitive, caring and intuitive. At times you can be timid and insecure and yet equally, fierce and brave. Where as you used to always hide behind Meggy, nudging her forward while you watched with curiosity, these days you are the one who is leading the way, telling the others, “It’s okay, it’s not scary!”, even when your face tells an entirely different story!
You are loving and affectionate but only to the select few who you deem worthy of your love, which in my eyes, is a great quality to have. I hope you keep it that way!
You are bossy, sceptical, thoughtful, creative, argumentative, and never happier than when you are outdoors, jumping in puddles, stomping in the mud or rolling around on the sand. Nothing makes me happier than watching you run free, those eyes or yours sparkling, and the sound of your laughter could thaw the coldest of hearts.
Last night I tucked you into bed and, in the same way that I do every year, I told you how fast you have grown, how you shall never again be four and how proud I am that you are my daughter. You had hugged me tightly, your arms around my neck, and whispered in my ear, “When I am five I bet I will be able to do a handstand, and one of those roly poly things in the sky!”. And that sums you up all over, always in a rush to grow up, to do new things, go to new places, our beautiful little dare devil always looking for your next adventure.
I am so sad that you are growing up so fast but so proud of the amazing little girl you have become.
Happy 5th Birthday Eva Sienna,
Thank you for healing my heart.
xxxxxxxxxx
…
She is a lovely little girl and thanks for being honest about motherhood
Thank you Selina. xxx
what a beautiful post! It almost made me cry. I love all the pictures, I think she will love to see this when she grows up x
Thank you Natalia, she’s such a special little girl, even when she’s being a diva! xx
Such lovely photos, great captures. Really touching piece x
Thank you so much. xx
This post is lovely – and what a great memory for your daughter to read when she’s older – she’s beautiful by the way – and looks like she hasn’t changed much since she was a baby! So cute!
Thank you. She was such a beautiful baby, she hasn’t changed much at all! xx
What a beautiful, smiley girl. All thanks to the loving family she grows up in. And she looks so much like you!
Ahh thank you Jo! Nobody has ever said she looks like me before, that’s made my day! xx
Aww such a beautiful post and pictures. I remember my daughter leaving pre school and going into school too. Such a hard time for daughter and mum ..
Thank you. They change so much in that first school year don’t they? She is already looking so much older than when she started! xx
So adorable! I’m sure she’ll love to look back at this when she’s older <3
Thank you. xxx
Happy Birthday Eva – love the pic with the parrot on her shoulder. Made me chuckle
Haha me too! Absolute panic!!!! xx
Such a gorgeous little girl – it will be amazing for her to read this when she grows up and see how loved she is and how special!
Awww. What a lovely post. She sounds like a right little character x so pretty too. Happy Birthday Eva!
She is gorgeous, those big blue eyes!! Such beautiful photos to look back on too!
Thank you Deborah, she really is beautiful, I am completely biased though! xx
I hope that she had a wonderful birthday, such beautiful photos x
Thank you, she really did! xx
What a stunner! Happy birthday Eva!
Thank you! xx
Happy 5th birthday Eva. She is so cute. Bless x
Thanks lovely xx
Hope you had an amazing day beautiful little girl 🙂
They grow up way too fast don’t they hun?! xx
They certainly do! xxx
Happy Birthday Eva. A lovely post that you will look back on in years to come. The photos are absolutely gorgeous. She is so photogenic.
#fortheloveofBlog
Thank you Suzie, she’s such a beautiful little girl inside and out. xx
I Couldn’t help but cry, what a beautifully written post that shows the love that you have for Eva. She healed your heart after so much suffering and surely she was a blessing to soothe your broken heart. She is 5 now and full of character, may she always be individualistic and make you smile every day x x
Thank you Ana, she is such a special little girl. Well worth the heartache that’s for sure. xxx
What a gorgeous girl happy 5th birthday Eva!
Thank you Talya! xx
Such a beautifully written post, seems like you have a wonderful young lady! 🙂
Thank you xxx
Happy birthday beautiful Eva – my Finley is also 5 – he is my youngest and I really want to “bonsai” all of my children and stop them growing so fast!! Sarah #FabFridayPost
Aww I completely relate to that. Five feels so grown up, I am just clinging on to my baby who will be three in May, he’s still a baby at three…right?? xx
Oh, those pictures are simply stunning Laura! 5! It all happens so fast, and slow at the same time. She is a unique spirit, the one who helped you heal your heart! Do wish her a happy birthday from me and my littles! Her face with that penguin is priceless. <3 <3 <3 #FabFridayPost
Thank uou Lisa. She is such a special little girl that’s for sure. xxx
Such a beautiful post, and a lovely letter to your little one to read in the future. My son just turned 18, and the years fly by so fast! xx
Oh wow happy 18th birthday to him! My eldest will be 13 in April, I’m hoping the teenage years aren’t as tough as I imagine! xx
Ahh this is gorgeous. 5 was a biggie for me too I’m not sure why?! My 5 yr old also likes to tell me how beautiful she is, good for them I say 🙂 #BigPinklink
Haha if only we had their confidence! I think 5 is harder because they are at school and you cant even pretend they are babies anymore. At 4 they aren’t yet at school and they seem so much smaller?! xx
What a beautiful young lady, happy belated birthday Eva. Wishing you all the best this world can offer and more.
Thank you! xx
Ahhh happy birthday Eva! Starting school is such a big step, they have to grow up so quickly don’t they in that first year at school. I hope she had a wonderful day. #BigPinkLink x
Thank you, she had such a lovely day!! xxx
Such a little beauty, how could you be anything other than thrilled with how she is developing. gorgeous photos to keep and look back on. #BigPinkLink
Ahh thank you, she really is! xx
What a beautiful post Laura and what a special little girl Eva is. my boy starts school in Sept and I wasn’t overly worried but as it draws nearer, I really don’t want to leave him. although he is at nursery 4 days a week, I love our special Friday together. I can imagine leaving him at school too and walking away feeling upset. Anyways, happy happy birthday to your little one 🙂 #MarvMondays
Thank you Emma. Ahh I completely relate to that, losing them to school is so hard, I still miss Eva so much through the week but our weekends are so precious. xxx
What a gorgeous post. Happy birthday little big girl!
Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime
Thank you for reading. xx
Happy Birthday Eva. What a beautiful letter and daughter, this really moved me. 5 is such a big deal, we’ve got this milestone in a few weeks
Thank you! Happy birthday to your little one when it comes! xx
Beautiful post and gorgeous pictures. I hope she had a lovely birthday #DreamTeam
Thank you. She had an amazing day! xx
It’s such a catch 22 as a mother watching our children grow. As much as we want them to turn into strong, independent individuals, we also want to always keep them safe and close to us. I cry a lot about this subject lately as my baby will be turning 5 this month. I have been cherishing my time with her as she is my only child home for most of the day (she goes to preschool in the mornings). I have always loved all your pictures. I too am constantly following my children around with a camera but someday those pictures will be all we have of the times they needed us and no one else. Great post loves. #bloggerclubuk
Aww thank you lovely. I hope you are keeping well, I keep meaning to drop you a message but February flew by in a blur of birthdays, cake and parties! Five seems so grown up all of a sudden, its always bitter sweet watching them grow so fast. xxx
Aww so beautiful, made me cry! I think I’ll be a mess when my daughter goes to school!! Hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating Eva’s birthday. xx #ablogginggoodtime
Ahh we had a lovely day and a fab party at the weekend. Starting school was huge! Megan will start this year and Harry the year after, that’s going to be emotional!! xx
That’s so lovely. My daughter turned 5 in January, and I felt very emotional about it and still do! #MarvMonday
Aww five is a huge deal somehow? xx
This is so moving it brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful words and oh such beautiful images of your gorgeous little girl. #FabFridayPost
Thank you so much. She is such a special little girl to us. xxx
Awww… I love this post. It is so beautiful. Eva is such a character and healer too. Bless her. I love the above photos too. She loves the camera doesn’t she. When my Ethan moved from Reception into Year 1 – he said “I am not the baby in the school anymore.” lol! xx
Thank you so much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost
Aww I hope Eva will deal with the move to year 1 in the same way! I’ve got a feeling she wont be happy that Meggy is in reception and she has to leave for year 1!! xx
Such gorgeous photos – and those eyes! Glad the school thing has improved a bit – hope you’ve had a lovely time celebrating. Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
Thank you Steph, she’s our little ray of sunshine – most of the time! xx
Happy Birthday Eva! She’s super cute and you must be so proud, but also wondering how on earth is she 5. I hope you have a great day. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
Thank you. She had such a lovely birthday! xx
Beautiful girl, beautiful photos and a beautiful post from a beautiful Mum. I so hope Eva reads this when she’s older. Thank you for sharing with #bigpinklink x
Thank you. I hope so too. xx
Ahhh you see. I knew it was a good idea to wait till later to read your post. You have such a knack with words that I did have tears reading your happy letter to Eva. It’s so clear that she is incredibly special to you, as are all your little ones. So beautiful, I hope she gets a chance to read your letter when she’s all grown up. Thank you for sharing with the #dreamteam xxx
Aww thank you. She really is such a special little girl and, although by no means perfect, a real joy to be around. I would love for the children to read all of my letters when they are older, I’d have loved to have had them to look back on from my Mum! xx
She is gorgeous and her smile is infectious, happy birthday little lady! Lovely post. Thanks for linking up #bestandworst
Thank you so much. xxx
I read this as Anya is approaching her 5th birthday in a fortnight. I don’t know where the time has gone and I feel terrible admitting that I can’t remember her as a baby. Anya’s 5th birthday is also her first full day of school. I expect to be very emotional :'(
Ahh that will be such an emotional day! Five was a really big one for me somehow, all of a sudden she felt very grown up! xx