Dear Kara,

We love you.  You have been a breath of fresh air.  Always smiling, laughing, and loving everyone and everything around you.  We’ve been blessed to be your parents.  Our family of five is a busy bunch.  Not a dull moment, not a dull day.

On that note, I’m not sure how we would have survived the last year if you weren’t such a good baby.  You’re a great eater, sleeper, you’ve started walking and talking (I don’t hear it, but your mom does!).

You and I spend a lot of “one-on-one” time.  I think in part because I’ve finally learned, after three kids, how to handle a baby on my own, but I also have to give you credit for being such a good kid.

I look forward to your next year.  To witness your personality continue to shine, how you will interact together with your siblings, how you will grow independent from them, and most of all I look forward to more “Kara and me time”.

I love you,

Dad.

We did it! We (i.e. your Dad and I) survived our first year with three of you! Ha! Undoubtedly because you made our life so easy! So, thank you for that!

I know I sound like a broken record – but this year has seriously flown by in the blink of an eye. You have gone from this tiny little precious newborn, to what feels like a “real kid” overnight. You are walking (toddling), eating with us at dinner, saying words, and have such a strong opinion that you like to show with a good ole’ yell. I get it though, you have to learn to use your voice when your the smallest of three.

You are still a good sleeper and you eat like a champ (those tubby little leggies are my favvvvvvvvvve). You love on everyone in your family but I gotta say, when you reach out for your daddy, I pretty much melt like a puddle. You have special soft spot for him and it’s simply the sweetest.

Lana adores you and is always including you in everything she does, her already baby voice goes up on octave when she talks to you – you are her baby “Kawa.” Grayson is no different, he says you are the “cutest little pumpkin” and insists on carrying you around even though you are perfectly capable of walking (you hate it by the way, haha). Although I am a wee bit emotional about officially leaving the “baby phase” I love watching you actually play with them. I have no doubt the three of you will be best buds for life.

I look forward to continuing watch you grow and learn and discover – but good lord, time needs to slow down for this mamas heart! I want you guys to stay little, not forever, but for now.

I Love you always,
MOM

My sweet Kara,

You, my little Kara, are by far the best surprise of our life. Our little light from the very start – you arrived exactly when we needed you the most. You complete our family in a way we never expected but I know for absolute certain that you were always meant to be our third little love.

I had intended on writing this to you when you were born and here we are nearly 5 months after you arrived and I’m just now getting a chance to get my thoughts together. It should be a tell tale sign of how bananas things are around here with managing 3 kids and trying to run a business. The good thing about waiting so long to write though, is that I’ve grown to learn who you are – and you, my baby Kara, are the happiest, sunniest, sweetest baby in all the LAND! You wake up smiling, you smile when you sleep, you smile when you eait, you smile when your siblings are literally on top of you and tackling you (purely out of love, of course.).

I’m savoring each and every moment of you being a baby, because I know how fleeting these moments are. Sometimes life feels so darn busy during this season of life but you are such a sweet reminder to take it slow. Thank you for being our little unexpected rainbow after a storm. We love you BIG BIG Kara.

Love,
MOM

 

Dear Kara,

Family of 5 please!  Here you are and our family is finally complete.

I’m going to make you a promise and I’m going to ask you to promise me one thing.  First, my promise – I promise to be an even better father to you than I could have possibly been to Grayson and Lana.  I’d like to think I’ve done a good job so far, but with experience I know I can offer you more.  Your turn, promise me to be your own self, an individual shaped by her parents and siblings, but who can stand on her own when required.

I started these posts for Grayson and Lana, and of course you will always receive the same.  Use this when you’re ready for your career, for fun, or whatever you’d like.  For now, its my memories gifted to you.

Here is a video of the moment Grayson and Lana met you for the first time:

Here is a picture of you and Lana whom I hope will be your best friend:

I love you with all my heart,

Dad