Happy Birthday to my Poppet!

2 years.  Oh, how fast two years can go.  Two years ago, my world was pretty black.  Two years ago, I didn't know how to live except minute by minute.  And two years ago, that storm was shattered by the brightest light I could have imagined.  My beautiful, wonderful Rory. 

Rory, you came into this world in a bit of a flurry.  A minute of hard pushing and there you were, in my arms, screaming your wee lungs out.  You were the first of my babies to so loudly protest your entrance into this world.  A few snuggles and all was well.  You were such a contented baby, accepting all sorts of strange and loving arms who held you.  I needed that.  I needed you to be flexible, as my arms couldn't do it all for you AND your brothers.  You had wonderful surrogate mummies who loved on you like you were their own.  You were a dream baby in so many ways.

And today/tomorrow you are 2.  You are 2 in New Zealand already, and since you are my Kiwi baby, you will always have two days of birthdays in my head.  You are funny and sweet, smart and oh, so sensitive.  You are the joy of your brothers, and you are Mummy's little mini me, always doing and saying the things I say.  You love playing with Ethan ("Ee-ha").  He bounces you on his lap or his tummy on the floor and sings you songs and rhymes and reads you stories.  He lets you "catch" him when you're running around outside.  He takes such good care of you and I know you must feel so protected by him.  You and Silas ("Yi-ya") are two peas in a pod.  When the two of you are together, by yourselves, I always sense a bit of mischief.  Okay, a LOT of mischief.  He loves to show you things and teach you what he knows and you are eager to show him that you are fully capable of being a playmate for him.  You are the one he loves to get hugs from the most when he is sad or upset.  YOU are such a comfort to him.  My two little red-headed munchkins.  I just know you will be the best of friends as you grow up.

You are very close to your Grandma and Papa, too, and often ask to go to their house, which, luckily, is now only a block and a half from ours.  You often cry when they leave us, or if we leave them.  You are as at home with them as you are with us.  They are integral in your world.

Most of all, you love your Mummy.  Oh my, I've never had a child want to be in my presence, on me, around me, touching me, like you do.  It is exhausting and exhilerating being the centre of your world.  You are such sweetness, and such joy.  Even though you are the quietest and the most attached to me, you are also so social and friendly to those around you.  You love people.  If you can engage someone (and you do that very easily), you are in all your glory.  I am constantly amazed how effortlessly you charm and engage the people around you.  You are a people magnet. 

I've said this before and I'll probably say it again and again, God gave you to us for such an obvious reason.  He brought joy where there was despair.  He brought light where there was darkness.  He brought hope where there was hopelessness.  And it all came in the form of a wee, red-haired girl.  He started it with you, Rory.  Because of you, I've been able to find joy and light and hope in so many other things.  But he began it with you, my amazing daughter.  Things turned around with you.  "For such a time as this..."

Happy 2nd Birthday, Rory Juliet Miriama.  Mama loves you more than you'll ever imagine.