Dear Aoife...

Dear our darling Aoife,

You are two years and six months old now, and since my last blog post, quite a bit has changed! You became a big sister on the 15th January 2014, and although for the first day you were a little overwhelmed, you have settled into the role perfectly. Just how we thought you would. You are so protective over him, and its so wonderful to see. I know you need to share both me and daddy now, but you are handling it so well, and we couldn't be any prouder. 

Its not just us three anymore, and we never ever want you to feel like your left out. Because you're not. You are still our beautiful little lady, and we are still here for you, whenever you need it, whenever you want us, at any time or day. I know its not just you and I at home during the day anymore but our fun together won't stop, I promise. Infact, we will have double the fun now that baby brother is here because he can join in too! I know you two will be the bestest of friends. And one day you will realise that we made him for you. If something ever happened to daddy and I, you would always have someone here with you, another part of you. And he will be your longest, most loyal friend in the world. You will see that in time. 

You were our beginning, and you were the real start of our lives. Our dream come true, just like Everly. You made everything change for the better. You made us want to be better. You and Everly are the reason for Daddy going to uni. Daddy would give you the world if he could, and he will try his hardest to do just that. You are the reason for my love of photography; the one thing I am truly passionate about. You and Everly will keep us young forever, there's no need to grow up. You make our lives fun and full of laughter. And our little family is perfect. No matter how much we struggle sometimes, or if we can't afford holidays, or expensive clothes. The one thing we do have, is lots of fun, laughter and plenty of love. And if each day of our lives, we experience all of those things, we are richer than most. You will realise that too. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't work hard for things, because you should, because you deserve to see all your dreams, no matter how big or small, to come true. And for your own sense of pride, and part of growing up, you need too. Things aren't handed to you on a plate and the one thing I hope for you and Everly is that you have the drive and the motivation to want to work hard! 

You are loved so fiercely and whole heartedly, the both of you, but you should know that because we tell you like a hundred times a day! My heart feels like it's going to burst most of the time, it actually hurts the way I love you, Everly and daddy. I am beyond blessed to have such three wonderfully, perfect people in my life whom I get to spend every day with. And being a mother is all I have ever wanted. 

Keep smiling and dreaming, and being happy. And most importantly, keep being you. You amazing little person. You will always lighten up my world. And you will always be my baby. No matter how many brothers or sisters you have. 

I love you to infinity & beyond, 

Mummy.