Never grow up...

It's getting closer, and closer to Aoife's second birthday. And yes, its that time of year again where I start reminiscing, and looking back at our memories we've had together. And getting all emotional. I hate how fast time goes by. I think that is one of the things that all mothers have in common though, right?

I still remember the day she was born as if it was yesterday..
Aoife was breech presentation so we were booked in for a Caesarean Section on the 31st August 2011. We had to be there for 8am, and was told we would be taken down in the next couple of hours. I wasn't allowed to eat or drink. We had one last scan to make sure she hadn't turned. I remember needing to go the toilet every 10 minutes, and Joe and I being extremely thirsty! Finally at around 1:30pm we were taken down. Joe went to get changed into his gown, while I was taken into theatre to have my spinal.They gave me an ipod and told me to choose some music, but I couldn't focus on that so just picked something I know both Joe & I liked: Biffy Clyro. It was a horrible sensation, and I nearly fainted so I had to be laid down to have the rest put in. A few minutes later they asked if I could move my legs, which I couldn't. Then they sprayed me with ice cold water and asked if I could feel it, to which I couldn't. I got really cold and couldn't stop shivering, which my anaesthetist said was one of the side effects. I didn't feel a thing, apart from a bit of tugging.Joe was holding my hand, and I remember holding it really tight even though it didnt hurt. I got a horrible pain in my shoulder. Next thing I know, we can hear our baby crying. (I'm getting shivers thinking about it).  Then the midwife brings her over to us, and we are staring at her, and she is staring at us. I have never felt so many emotions all at once. They went and gave her an injection, and dressed her, came back and placed her on me. Joe turned away, and I knew he was crying. At 14:05 pm, our beautiful little 6lb 11oz baby had arrived into our world. And to this day, it is still the best day of our lives.

I have spent the most wonderful two years, being a stay at home mother to our daughter. Everyday we both learn something new. Everyday she makes me laugh more than I ever have before. I love to watch her from a distance, and watch her eyes light up when she see's something she loves. It makes my heart melt.
She is such a joy to be around. She is so kind, gentle, and loving.
I love the way that she likes cats, until she thinks they are following her, then she will turn around, point at it and shout "NO", then when it keeps coming, she will turn and run and shout "Oh no" and cover her mouth. #
When she wants to watch Peppa Pig, she will just snort at us like a pig does.
When she is hungry, she will point to her mouth and say "Yummy, yummy".
She says bye to everything, even when we are just leaving the room.
She has an obsession with "money" at the moment, and has to have some in her pockets or purse.
When she wakes in the night, she will come into our room, with her "cuhcuh" (cushion) and muslin, and bottle of milk.
If she hurts herself, she will keep telling us for days about it by saying "Oh no" or "Ohhhhh" and pointing to where she hurt herself. Then we have to kiss it better.
When we are getting ready to go out, she will go and get our shoes for us, without us even asking.
She hates being dirty!
She loves "Nanny".
She is always happy, and rarely ever sad. She finds happiness in so many things.
When we tell her we are going somewhere, she will ask if Daddy, Mummy, Nanny are coming.
If she can't reach something, she will go and find her footstool, so she can reach.
She loves hanging from things! She is so strong and can easily hang from something for a good 3 minutes!
If she spills something she will clean it up.
She notices when we are going past Daddy's work, Nanny's house, or driving into our street.
When we go food shopping, I have to sit her at the end of the checkout, and she has to pack her own bag.
She loves cars, buses, her baby, "Choo choo's", colouring, books, balls, carrying bags.
Her favourite foods are strawberries, grapes, apples, milk, water, crisps, rice, chicken, raisins, ice lollies, yoghurts.

I don't want her to grow up, and leave me behind. I want her to stay my little girl forever. And for us to spend all our days together, forever. To always have her sit next to me, and watch movies together. For her to come and hug and kiss me, just because she wants too. To be able to tell her I love her 30 times a day. To watch her sleeping, so beautifully. To hold her little hand in mine, whenever we walk somewhere. To pick her up for a cuddle when she's tired, or so she can reach something. To brush her hair every morning, and before she goes to bed. To hear her jibber jabber, of mixed up sounds where she's trying so hard to make a sentence. To have her wake me up during the night so she can get in our bed, and tells me to lay down the other end of MY bed. For her to want me to kiss her "Ouchies" better. For her to just amaze me by everything she does. I don't want these things to stop. Ever.

But I am looking forward to watching her grow, and learn even more. And to see her become even more beautiful than she is now. To see her flourish. And most of all, to see her become the most brilliant big sister ever.

After all, she made me fall in love with motherhood. She was definitely worth the extremely long wait. We couldn't be any more luckier to have such a perfect daughter. She takes our breath away everyday. And brings so much light and love to everyone. And is loved and adored more than she will ever, ever know.