"HI!"

PENNY!

Pen pen.

Pennifer Lopez

Penny from the Block

Pennow

Pentucky

Penelope,

      You are one! You are a whole 1!

Right now you are standing up holding onto Grammy's yarn maker knitting thing (I don't know what it is) and shaking it with great vigor. You are having a blast. Oh. You just found the yard. Now you are spinning it. And now you are sitting shaking your legs on the ground and dancing like the hoot you are.

You are a fun baby! You are the sweetest little thing. You brighten everyone's day. Complete strangers obsess over how happy and sweet you are. You literally say "Hi!" to everyone you encounter. One of the most proud moments you've given me so far is you and I were walking to the aquarium, and from your stroller you saw a homeless man walking by and you yelled "HI!" so loudly and happily right to him. He smiled so big. You truly made him feel loved and wanted in the world. It brings tears to my eyes. That is the kind of girl you are. You bring joy. You are light-giving. Every day you make me happier and happier.

Hold onto that kindness. It touches everyone you meet, and truly makes you special.

I just want to tell you how much I love you. I am so glad I had you. You are the perfect complement to your sister. You are very different in many ways, but each of you come together and make me the happiest woman I could ever be.

Now it is your nap time. I was trying to hold out so I could write more, but you are getting hella cranky and then I have to take advantage of the Penny-free time to get a few chores done. I'll see you when you wake up, sweet Pen.

Love you so much,
Mommy

You're fast as hell.

This isn't the best quality picture, but you are pretty much the best quality baby so that makes up for it. I just wanted to post a quick picture of you before we walked out the door to go to the park.

You are the most hilarious and sweetest baby. You say "hi" to everyone that walks by. You love dogs and cats. You crawl at an average speed of 92 mph. Your birthday is less than a month away, and that freaks me out. I really feel like you were just born. Time is a tricky thing. Just try and appreciate each day for what it is: a celebration, a test, a learning experience, a day to relax/reflect. Don't let any days go by without some sort of appreciation. This is your life. You only get one. And yours, while it is just beginning, will go by faster than you can ever expect. I am so lucky to get to watch you grow and become a fantastic woman.

I love you my Penelope.

Love,
Mommy