Dear Lainey,
It was just three years ago. The most joyous moment of my life, and I remember it like it was yesterday.
I wonder sometimes what heaven is like. And I think that perhaps, if it is really as wonderful as we hope it is that someday, when I leave this earth, I will enter that moment of your birth again. Because it is the sweetest heaven I could ever taste and I could relive every moment of it infinitely–the way you smelled, the sound of your cry, the way your skin felt against mine and the way my heart at that moment was set to beat with yours. I yearned for you my entire life and in that moment–that precious moment–the planets aligned and the world was very, very good indeed.
Lainey, there is no way I can ever tell you how much I love you. How much my heart aches and stretches and smiles with watching you grow. But I will show you. I will show you every beautiful day of your life that I indeed was made to love you.
Three.
Three years of nights with your warm little body pressed into my back as you breathe deeply and dream.
Three.
Three years of laughter–your blonde head tipped back and your sunny spirit released with that smile.
Each year, each day, each moment, you bloom more beautifully, drawing me in, teaching me more.
And Baby, I’ll never forget this year. This year when I needed you so badly. This year when your presence comforted and guided me through difficult days. This year when you taught me how to love.
You don’t know what you’ve done for me yet but someday, I will tell you about the day I watched you become a big sister and how you accepted her, loved her, embraced her even before me.
I hurt because I thought I failed you this year. I thought I failed to give you something I wanted you to have but I know now I gave you just what we all needed. And your joy with this gift–this life we all love so much–well, your joy reminds me every day just how beautiful your little sister is. You set the pace, Babe. You blaze the trail of love, and how easy it is to follow you.
I will never ever forget this third year of your life. How through most of it, you held my hand. You brought me tissue and towels in the bathroom when I had morning sickness. How you rubbed my growing belly with your puppy blanket. How you felt her kick and counted down the days with me for her arrival.
It was such a special year, Lainey, because you are a special girl.
You are my compassionate one, my spirited one, my independent one who likes to find her own way. You are witty and silly, caring and kind. You are my sunny little willow and every dream I ever had my entire life about the little girl I wanted someday just can’t compare with the greatness you turned out to be.
Watching you grow is an art. An art I am master of and I will forever study the wonder that is you.
God gave me two beautiful, amazing girls and you, my first born…why, I know you were hand picked for us, for Nella, for your brothers, for the world. For you are going to do great things, Little One.
Thank you for loving so good, so big, so pure.
I didn’t think I could ever love so deep.
You are Heaven, you little Three Year Old.
We love you so.
Happy Birthday, Cubby.
FEA Schaffer says
Happy 3rd Birthday Lainey!
Amazing post – amazing pictures π
Amazing little girl!!!
Catherine (WA in PA) says
Happy Birthday Lainey!
Megan says
happy 3rd birthday Lainey! What a lucky girl you are. What a lucky family you have to have you.
LOVE the smashed up Nella face against the big sis. I laughed out loud!
Stephanie says
Beautiful pictures, as always. Happy Birthday to your sweet little girl!
amy says
gorgeous words. my heart has melted! what a sweet girl and what a sweet mama!
Lindsay says
Happy Birthday Lainey!!! My oldest will be 3 next month…it’s so bittersweet (mostly sweet) watching them grow, isn’t it?
I LOVE the pictures of the girls together…especially the one of Lainey squeezing Nella so tight that her little face is smooshed. Adorable girls!
Meagan Harris says
Love the picture of Lainey giving Nella the super hug! Little sisters are so tolerant!
Lori says
I got goosebumps reading this post as my little one just turned one.
Happy birthday Lainey π
RMAinMD says
,,,happy happy birthday to you lainey love,,,may you be blessed with 100 plus 100 more healthy, happy years to celebrate,,,
Katie says
Amazing post- made me cry as we anxiously await the day when we have our first child…a somewhat elusive day lately…thank your for knowing how lucky you are π
kiwicpk says
Ohhh don’t make me cry!!!!!
Happy Birthday sweet little girl!
Gotta love that song too! wow!
Proud Mommy Tara says
Oh the tears that are falling Kelle. My God you are the perfect mother to those two angels. A very happy birthday to Miss Lainey!!! Is it really possible that she gets more and more beautiful with each post? I honestly believe that. And I see so much of you in her. What a special day for you! Aren’t May babies great? I have 2 of my own. Thank you for sharing Lainey’s special day with us! Great pics!!!
Teresa says
Happy birthday Lainey. You are a joy to watch. We are several years past three here at our house, but three is positively my favorite age for little ones. Enjoy it Kelle, I know you will. It passes much to quickly.
Lady Ren says
What a great post- such a loving tribute to L.
My first monkey was also three when his little brother was born- they are always great friends- my oldest can’t remember life without his brother- such a gift.
Yolanda says
I’ve been waiting for this entry all day! Love the love you have for your little girl. She will do great things one day because she learns from her family. Happy Birthday, Lainey!
Isadora says
from your blog now I know how it is to love a daughter. and it makes me want to be a mom so badly!! Happy Birthday, Lainey!
Jenny says
Happy Birthday Lainey, you have one wonderful momma! I am left in tears reading your blog. Thank you for sharing your story with the world.
Poppa says
Oh that all children in the world would feel cherished tonight…that tired single mommas and caretaking grandparents, late shift dads and big brothers and sisters home from college would tiptoe into darkened bedrooms and kiss little foreheads and whisper “You are so precious to me.” How different our tomorrows would be…when the largest life needs are met right at home and not fought out on the streets and alleys. Safety and significance…that’s the bread and water for our littles. Yes, our world is brighter…and I am blessed with…now 10 grandgifts…and an incredible grand dog Max…and my heart is so happy it sometimes hurts. Goodnight…I miss you already! But I’m still in love with Anonymous who had me with “hot!”
Nat says
Wow, you made me cry! And laugh…
I always get emotional with the way that you know put your feelings into
words and pictures, beautiful pictures.
Happy birthday little Lainey!!! A little girl who we look and is imposible not to see love!!
And congratulations to dad, mommy and brothers…
Hugs
Natasha
Jesse says
How blessed you are to be so conscious of the lessons that our little ones teach us. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day and look over those things. Thank you for sharing. Happy Birthday to your sweet girl!
Katy says
In a world where so many parents seem so inconvenienced by parenthood, it is refreshing to read how much you savor each moment. After struggling with infertility with my first child, I made a vow to myself that I would not take one.single.second for granted and I am proud to say that I haven’t. Even when my head was in the toilet in the early days of morning sickness, I was thanking God for blessing me and giving me such a gift. We are so lucky and blessed and we know it! Happy Birth Day Kelle, and Happy Birthday Lainey!
Becky says
Happy Birthday Lainey and happy Birth Day to you as well Kelle. Your blog continues to amaze me.
Logan and Jack's Mommy says
The love you have for your daughter is a beautiful thing, and it was beautiful to read about. Thanks for sharing.
MyRayOLite says
Happy 3rd Birthday Lainey!
The world is your canvas. Keep on dreaming, loving and creating.
:o)
Elizabeth Toel says
Beautiful Kelle. Your ability to put such deep emotions into words is truly a gift. And, the pictures… well they tell such a story in themselves!
Kathryn says
Years ago I bought the soundtrack (on cassette tape) to She’s Having A Baby because of this and a few other amazing songs…I love this, truly…this post, this music
~magic~
Happy Birthday Lainey~
MyRayOLite says
Poppa, you are so cute! LOL And the secret of who it could be?
“Had me at hot!” Cute!
mom2nji says
Happy Birthday Lainey!
This post had me weepy, so very pretty.
Kathryn says
I just read Poppa’s comment, and had to add that I feel like I’m in the inner circle of love when I read his comments to you…I’m listening and am now going in to kiss my own babies one more time tonight!
jen says
happy 3 lainey!
(and mama too.) your words made me cry and that smooshed face made me laugh.
kind of like living life with a 3 year old … black/white. giggles/tears. yes/no.
and thanks to poppa for the reminder … i’m off to whisper into my children’s ears … because they are beyond precious.
Kelle says
Kathryn, Kate Bush’s version of this song was playing loud and clear in the delivery room when Lainey was born. My first kisses, my first touch, my first tears–were all to this song.
Anonymous says
Absolutely beautiful Kelle – brought a tear to my eye for sure.
Happy Birthday Lainey!! It’s my dad’s birthday today too! (:
Domestic Diva says
happy 3rd birthday, lainey love!! how i love watching you grow …
(what a beautiful post, kelle! love how you love … and share it with the rest of us!)
Peeper says
Beautifully written!
Thanks for the suggestion, Poppa. After another 12 hour work day and Daddy out-of-town again I took your advice: I stole into the room where my very own heart sleeps sweetly and I kissed her one more time. It might have been the 300th kiss since I got home from work and hour and a half ago!
Kelle, I love Kate Bush (since the 80’s!). This Woman’s Work is one of her most lyrically moving songs – good choice π
Angela says
I got to spend the day with my own little girl who was supposedly home sick today. We celebrated Lainey’s birthday by thoroughly enjoying every minute with her, in true Kelle-style (well, maybe not quite, but the effort was there!)
Happy Birthday little Lainey! You are one special little girl with quite a special family! Love to you all,
Angela
Samantha N says
Happy BIrthday to your Sweet Lainey! I adore your post.
kellyk says
wow. a friend sent me a link to your blog a week or so ago and i’ve been reading like an amazing book you can’t put down. you are so real. i love it. you’ve inspired me to be more intentional about everything i’m doing with my children. and document it all a little more. thank you for letting us in through this blog!
Springroll says
Happy 3rd Birthday, Lainey!
Kelle – your little girl will have this post for the rest of her life…and she will know how special you are to her…you are an incredible mama…
Heidi says
happy birthday, sweet girl.
we just love you so much.
kelle…this is the most beautiful post. i love you.
xo
Anonymous says
Kelle: Please write a book. I check my computer every 30 minutes for your next blog post. I cannot get enough of your writing. You literally help me wake up in the mornings.
Jenel says
Kelle this was such an amazing post- brought tears to my eyes! HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY LAINEY!!!! π hope you all had a wonderful day.
RoBecky says
Happy Birth Day, Kelle. Congratulations on motherhood, on two beautiful babies, on seeing the world as I aspire to see it. There is beauty in the world. Sadness, too, but even that is beautiful in an incredibly unanticipated way. Thank you for the beauty you bring to my life. There is little so beautiful as a mother meeting her babe for the first time. Very little.
Happy 3rd Birthday, sweet Lainey. You look much like I did as a little girl – big brown eyes, beach-blonde hair, sunshiney, gapped grin. I wish you a world of beauty and a lifetime of happiness, and a little bit of sadness (and only just a wee bit) to make the happy days that much sweeter.
Amy says
Happy birthday!! And many more birthdays to come!!
Randi says
Kiss my 3 sleeping beauties…Check
Thank my wishing star for my blessed life…Check
Go to bed feeling warm fuzzies…Check…
Thanks k.h.
Beautiful words.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET LAINEY!
Closing my eyes and sending big wishes to the big girl of the house!
KWQR says
So very beautiful. Happy Birthday Lainey… I wish that every child in the world could be loved as much as you are.
Jen says
Just beautiful. Hit me hard since my first born, little girl turned 3 last Sunday. Isn’t it incredible how deeply you can love something?? No words to describe it, but you did an amazing job in this post. Happy 3rd birthday, Lainey!
Jennifer says
I have never commented on a blog’s post before, but I have been following your family’s story for months now and am so amazed by your love, devotion and strength. Your words and pictures are so beautiful, as is your family. Blessings to you all!!
Corine says
sniffle, sniffle… that was so beautiful! π ~ I feel the same way about my daughter. God is so good to us!!! π
Lauren says
Happy Birthday to Lainey! Wow what a beautiful post. So sweet and so true! What a joy our children are to us each and every day!
Sunny Sue says
Wow. Another amazing post. I love what Poppa said as well. The world would be a much better place if we all loved as deeply.
Lucy says
Oh, Kelle. I think this is one of, and maybe the, most beautiful love letter I’ve read. And I love that that distinction goes to a letter from mother to daughter. You really make me want a little girl of my own so badly! But it touched me too because you recognise something I’ve found true with my little nieces, that even children so young can be your great friends, they can offer you so much support and insight and help you through hard times. Gosh, they’re special aren’t they!
I can totally see that it is true, even before she was made, you were, as you say, made to love her.
I am so happy for you that you have Lainey and Nella, and the special love between them to watch too!
I can’t wait for you to write your books! Yeap, plural! All the way!
So Happy Birthday to Little Miss Lainey! A very deserving candidate for best party of the year!
Anonymous says
Happy birthday Lainey! Great job smooshing your little sister into a tight hug! You make my heart melt.. and Kelle, you so know how to speak the words of a mama so in love with her babe. Your children are so lucky to know just how much you love and adore them.
McMel says
i’ve been reading your blog for a while, but this is my first comment. happy birthday to your beautiful little lainey! thanks for another beautiful post. i cried… again!!
dig this chick says
Love you, her, your need, desire, whathaveyou to share what you share with your community.
You haven’t called her cubby in so long! cubby
I had a great night I’ll share with you some other time…tonight I was surprised with love and appreciation in an unexpected way and it was great. And I am buzzed with life and love and wine right now. I should go to bed, but I want to scoop my girls into their car seats and head to Naples…is that so crazy?
Maybe. Most likely. But I know you get it.
Lainey Love, we haven’t ever even met. But I talk to your mama, we love each other and I know you. Happy third birthday little girl and happy third birth day, Kelle.
My Loves. . . My Life says
Happy Birthday pretty girl. <3 You are so very loved, it is obvious.
K – I see so much of you in some of these pictures of her. Beautiful.
Sarah. Splish Splash Designs says
Beautiful post for a beautiful birthday girl. Happy 3rd Birthday Lainey. You are a shining light in Mommy’s world x
Scapa says
Happy birthday to Lainey, the cutest birthday girl!
Beautiful and inspirational blogpost, thank you π
Sophie says
In Holland (the real Holland π we congratulate the whole family on birthdays…and I rather like that as its a recognition of what they are in the life of the person who’s birthday it is…..
So congratulations Kelle on being a Mom for 3 years.
You are blessed with these sweet gifts entrusted to you….I love to see how you enjoy them to the max and are real about the hard times too.
Congratulations Mommy Kelle!
Katy says
Yay! Happy Birthday Lainey…may this year bring you many blessings both big and small!
Ashley Madsen says
The picture of the birthday girl giving sweet Nella a SUPER squeeze is so cute. Hoping and Praying for a sweet little of my own.
I adore reading your Poppa’s comments. That man… if we all had one the world would be a better place.
Stef says
she is such a cutie pie!!
And this was such a beautiful post. Got me all teared up.
Happy three to Lainy!!
Sandra says
Such a wonderful blog! I needed something just like this to read and take my mind off of what transpired today. My mom is very sick and I just got home from the hospital. I dont want to go to sleep in fear that something might happen. I will probably spend the rest of the night reading your blogs. I need a distraction and your blogs are just the positive note that I need.
Francina Bonita says
Happy birthday Lainey! With love from Holland!
Today is the first time I hear music on your blog Kelle! For some reason we could not hear the music here in Holland. It is beautiful, it makes it complete…..
Frau says
Happy Birthday Sweet Lainey!
martine says
words arent enough, my baby is 1 soon and you have just summed up everything i want to say to her…thankyou x
Lucy says
Yesterday was the first day I could hear the music on the blog too – It gave me quite a shock, didn’t know where it was coming from for a second!
Quiltin' Jenny says
Happy birthday Lainey!
Sarah says
Such a beautiful post.
Such a beautiful girl.
Such a beautiful mama.
Smoochagator says
Oh my gosh, that second-to-last picture with Lainey squishing Nella? Is the best thing ever.
Happy birthday, biggest girl π
SDM says
happy birthday Lainey!!! You’re a lucky little girl to have such a wonderful family & a rockin’ mama!!!
xoxo
-s
blog.livelovelaughphotos.com says
Oh Kelle – what a beautiful post! You capture Motherly love SO PERFECTLY! Happy Birthay dear Lainey!
Laura F. says
What a message of love, a message from a mother who knows the gift she has been given. I am sitting here on the morning of my son’s preschool graduation and wondering how I got here. I cherished the days home with him, the adventures, the playdates, the books, the snuggles… all of it. I never thought it would end, never wanted it to end. Just being home with my little boy experiencing the beauty of the world through his innocent eyes. Alas, he is growing up and I am cherishing all that that brings. But I do allow myself to go back to that magical time in our lives when my only worry was nap time…
And I love this… “You don’t know what you’ve done for me yet but someday, I will tell you about the day I watched you become a big sister and how you accepted her, loved her, embraced her even before me. I hurt because I thought I failed you this year. I thought I failed to give you something I wanted you to have but I know now I gave you just what we all needed.” My heart lurched, my throat tightened, and my eyes welled. How I feel the same way about my sweet boy, my sweet soon-to-be kindergartener who turns 5 this summer. How grateful I am for all he was during that time in my life, for all he is. He blazes our trail of love too.
Thank you again for putting into world what is in my heart.
Sara says
What a beautiful post!
Happy 3rd birthday Lainey – and Happy Birth Day to you, Kelle. I am amazed and moved again at your wonderful words. π
Molly says
A memorable tribute to a very, very special little girl. Well done, Mama.
LittlePaintedPolkaDots says
Happy Birthday, Lainey!!!
monstermama says
Gorgeous post. Gorgeous family. I, too, look forward to your posts. You have an amazing way with words and your photos are stunning and tying it all togethe ris the amazing background music. Whatversion of this song did you use? I can’t find it and I love it!
Teresa says
Once again you have me sitting here in tears, what a beautiful post. I too have a fabulous 3 year old.
What an absolute joy!
Deborah says
Beautiful Kelle, you evoke such warm joyful tears here once again, perhaps it’s my menopausal PMS, or the sweet sentimental thoughts of nine that your post brings me back 20 yrs, to mine, my daughter’s 3rd yr…Thinking of my one and only love child…Like I’ve said to you before my Baby girl is now 23, but I remember the 2’s and 3’s to be the most magical, the most spectacular yrs, the Best-est of yrs spent with my sweet Baby Girl… oh sure every yr has been great, but the 2 and 3’s well, they have always been embedded in my thoughts to have been the BEST, the very BEST of yrs, absolute BEST Kelle …
So take it all in Kelle, all of it, do not miss a second of it, but then you already do, you get it so much you do Kelle, and how lucky you are to have yet another who will turn 3 as well, how blessed you are sweet Kelle, how beautifully bless you are ….For both your daughter’s are spectacularly beautiful in each of their different ways. But Lainey is you all over again, she so so resembles you, her big beautiful browns, her radiating smile, her spirit for love and life, all you Kelle, all you…
~!~Happy Happy Great BIG 3rd Birth Day to You special lil Ms Lainey Love sweet child, and to You too Ms Kelle, Mom of all Greatest of Loving and Love Mommy’s …~!~
Keep celebrating 3, each and every day Kelle, for we must and need to make the most of each and every day here in this beautiful life, to love each and every day of this life, to make the best-est of each and every day Sweet Kelle …Love You all, my most favorite beautiful blogging family…And I thank You so very much for sharing the love of 3 and of children, of beautiful girl’s, thank You so much Kelle, for you warm my heart and soul with your posting of the best of enjoying the small things in this beautiful life …
Deborah, the Canadian Nurse…
Lorena says
Happy Birthday Lainey from Mexico!
Kara says
How comforting it is to know that there are others in the world who see their children as life and joy rather than an inconvenience. THEY are our purose and our investment.
Thank you for sharing this light with so many.
Jessica and Greg says
Happy birthday Lainey! This is my first comment on your blog. But I have been reading for months! I love your writing, your photography & your stories! I am writing today because I share a birthday with your little Lainey & because my daughter just turned 3 9 days ago. So I know how it is to watch those little ones grow. Thanks for sharing your life! I just adore your blog!
Jessica
Christina says
You write so beautifully about your love for your daughters. I am really in love with your blog, those little faces, and your words. Happy Birthday to your sweet first-born. Mine will also be celebrating a birthday this month…she’ll be two and I feel like you’ve expressed in words what’s in my heart. π
Rhonda says
Happy Birthday Lainey Love!!
Those 3 chubby little fingers in that pic is the cutest thing….and big squishy hugs for sister, so sweet!!
You words are splendid….they help me express the feelings I had that day!
Motherhood is such a wonderful bond!
Happy day of Birth to you….Its the most amazing thing!
Beautiful post to a beautiful girl!
Hannah says
Happy Birthday Lainey!!! And that last picture of the girls together made me laugh out loud. She loves her sissy soooo much!
Anonymous says
Kelle-
I am truly speechless……….
Susan from Boston
wonderyears says
what a beautiful post. a beautiful daughter. a beautiful life.
thank you so much for sharing. happy birthday to your lainey
Bulldogma says
Once again your photos and writing inspire me! Lainey is such a beautiful little girl, and Nella looks so peaceful and happy when they are holding each other. *sigh*
I have a favor to ask you because you have so many followers – I am trying to spread the word and raise funds for Reece’s Rainbow (I am sure you are familiar with this organization that facilitates the adoptions of children with Down syndrome from countries where they will be institutionalized in horrible, archaic places if they are not adopted). Because the economy is bad, I am trying something that does not even require followers to donate money (though it would be great if they chose to).
This is my FaceBook page with more information:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ask-ABC-to-Help-a-Great-Cause-DWTS-her/117812571592627
I would SO appreciate your help spreading the word!
P-nut says
What a beautiful letter to her! The things you are instilling in her spirit are wonderful. She will do amazing things because so much love is being poured into her. If only every parent could love their child the way you can express it… we would live in such a different world.
Happy Birthday sweet girl. Can’t wait see what this next year brings…
Anonymous says
It’s refreshing that you can put into words the way we all feel about our lives and our children!
Tisha says
happy birthday lainey LOVE!
love the birthday post.
Mommy says
Kelle, you always write the most beautiful things, & i drink up the passion you have for life. I have read your blog inside & out, & it has made me excited that there are still good, wonderful people out there is this big world.
Happy Birthday Lainie Love.
http://depaul-mommy.blogspot.com/
jillzmom says
Happy Happy Birthday Lainey! Kelle you inspire me to love my sweet girl even more than I already do. Thank You!!
Anna. says
Happy birthday beautiful Lainey <3
Once again I’ve found myself in tears at the end of a post of yours, but these are nice tears π xxx
Sunnie says
Happy Birthday beautiful girl!!
Sunnie
Mali says
Happy Birthday Lainey!
Beautiful post…I know you can’t wait for her to read these beautiful words on her own.
Nicki says
oh my – just beautiful. again. π
happy birthday to your little girl!
Anonymous says
HOW LOVELY IT WAS TO FIND OUT I SHARE A BIRTHDAY WITH YOUR SWEET GIRL,I WISH HAPPINESS TO YOUR FAMILY…LIZ
Anonymous says
Happy third birthday to your Lainey Love! Kelle, amazing post! Just simply beautiful…like you and your girls!!
Our mama hearts do “ache, stretch and smile” while watching our little ones grow-a gift from the heavens!!
Monique
From Canada
Kristi says
Happy Birthday Lainey!!! Your a little beauty! π
Kristi
Kristine says
The world needs more Momma’s like you, Kelle! Happy Birthday sweet, sweet Lainey.
xo
Kris
Kristine says
This comment has been removed by the author.
keri says
Kelle, what a beautiful letter to Lainey. I love the picture where she’s hugging nella – squeezing her so tight!
The Bell Family 3 says
What beautiful words! Lainey is a very special girl to have such a wonderful and loving Mommy. I hope she had a great 3rd birthday!
Ferguson says
Happy Birthday Lainey!!!
3 is a great age:)
Shari H says
Happy Birthday Lainey have a most fantastic day!!!!
The Dixons says
Again, you words and your love for your girls have brought me to tears. I remember three. When each of my littles hit that mark. It’s like they aren’t babies anymore and it’s bitter sweet. What I would give to go back to three… You have the secret. Cherish it. Soak it up. Live it breathe it. Because one day they will be too busy to have dinner with you, and you will long for three. Happy Birthday Lainey. Your little life has touched my heart and made me a better person. And you’re just three. You are going to do big things.
Missy says
Happy birthday Lainey. What a gift you have been to your mother and what a wonderful treasure this letter to you will be when you are old enough to read it and understand the beautiful words.
Angie says
Great post! I’m so happy to have found you and Heidi…I thought I was the only one so madly in love with my children. It’s a great encouragement reading about the love in your lives. You say it so beautifully. I love that it isn’t a burden or annoyance to be a mommy. It’s your joy. Love that.
j210209 says
Happy Birthday Lainey!
This is such a beautiful and heartfelt post.. π
And how much does Lainey look like you in the last photo! Amazing xx
Callie says
I am not sure I have ever “met” anyone with the amount of love that oozes out of you, it’s unbelievable. You are contagious!
Your parents have done something so right and now you are passing it on down to your family. Your parents must be so proud of you, how you love on your family, how strong & brave you are, the inspiration you give to others, the kindness you exude, the joy you bring. Lainey & Nella are such treasures because of you. What an awesome reflection of your parents and upbringing. It’s wonderful to see an unbroken circle- circle of pure unconditional love. You are so blessed but I know I don’t have to tell you because you live it and that is rare my friend.
harbrr08 says
This comment has been removed by the author.
harbrr08 says
Happy Birthday Lainey! We LOVE getting to know you through your Momma’s words and pictures! You are one sweet and beautiful little girl and you have lots of people who love you! You are already doing great things, and they’re only going to get greater as the years go on!
Much love,
Holly
Gemma says
Beautifully written as always! Happy birthday sweet Lainey π
Michele says
Happy 3rd Birthday sweet baby girl… You are so full of life, it’s shows in your pictures and your mommas words.. Kelle- I would like to share something with you. My girlfriends mother once told me, “You love your kids as if you were their grandmother” I was kinda awh struck like O’ dear am I doing something wrong? At the time my 3 1/2 year old was not even one yet, so I was a new mom and wasn’t sure what she meant by that, she explained to me, you love your daughter so deeply and purely, you notice all the small things like grandparents do. She said alot of new parents are so overwhelemed with parenthood they don’t notice little things, grandparents have already raised their kids and they can notice the small things with their grandkids. I thought well put… I can say too by your blogs that you too have that same passion too, to love so deeply, to notice every small detail and just enjoy the moments/days with our sweet littles… I too have two daughters, Natalia is 3 1/2 and Alyssa is 11 months. Your daughters are beautiful and your life and journey are too.. Sending love and smiles to you from Jacksonville, Florida… Michele
scuppie says
SWEET MOTHER OF GOD STOP MAKING ME CRY EVERY TIME I COME TO YOUR BLOG NOW.
This gorgeous letter, “This Woman’s Work” playing… please offer free Kleenex to your readers.
xx
Kira says
Happy birthday, Lainey! π Kelle, I so loved your birthday letter to Lainey. My daughter, Mia, has the same birthday as your Lainey – Mia turned 1 yesterday! I am planning to write her a letter every year for her birthday and I hope that she finds them as special as I know Lainey will yours. You have a beautiful family!!
Take care,
Kira
Crystal says
I don’t even know you or your family, but boy, am I so close to crying right now, especially with “This Woman’s Work” playing! So beautiful beyond belief.
Ohiogirls says
How lucky your littles are to have a family that cherishes them the way all little ones should be cherished. Even better,is that now you have another little to celebrate next January!!! π Can’t wait to see what her party will be…maybe a winter wonderland…the kind that resembles the snowy scenes of Michigan snowfalls π
Annie says
Happy Birthday sweet little Lainey! I enjoy watching you grow as your mama gives us a glimpse of the joy and happiness you bring to life! Hope you had a wonderful day!!!!!
Megan says
You managed to bring tears to my eyes again. Then Papa’s comment brought the water works all over again. It’s amazing how with every blog you make me want to be a better mom. It’s so easy to get side tracked by the busyness of the world. It’s you that reminds me to slow down and love how my kids drive me crazy asking for another Popsicle for the millionth time.
My favorite picture of Lainey is the one with her hair pulled back and water running down her cheek to her chin. Her eyes tell a story on there own. Thanks for sharing you world with us. I appropriate you helping me to continue to be humble.
Megan (Centralia, MO)
Daniele says
My daughter also turns 3 in a couple of months so this made me extra sentimental π You always find the way to put into words what we moms feel in our hearts but can’t translate because of the depth of it all.
Happy birthday Lainey!
Marianne says
Happy birthday, Lainey! What a beautiful little lady. And Kelle – what words!
Anonymous says
Lainey is beautiful! And that pic of her hugging Nella so good she is squishing her little cheeks together is perfect.
Happy Birthday!
~Danie
Katie (Mama May I) says
Quite possibly one of the sweetest things I have ever read…..
Happy 3rd Birthday, Lainey.
Nat says
Every time I read one of your post I cry. I am always touched by how you can put words to your emotions. Happy Birthday Lainey! I never knew how important birthdays were until I had my own little one. To a another great year!
The Brink Blog says
Happy Birthday Little Lainey Love!! My little doll just turned three the end of April and we are having a luau party!! Your planning and decorations have inspired me!! I LOVE, and I mean LOVE to throw parties (I personally think my secret life is throwing parties and planning them)!!
Lauren Kelly says
Seriously the sweetest thing EVER. Happy birthday to your sweet girl!!! π
Anonymous says
Yep, 2 special little girls, indeed! So full of love and joy……..if we could all only see life through the eyes of a child – what you can change, change; what you can’t, move on. Kelle, my mom wrote in my high school graduation card back almost 30 years ago “You will never know how much we love you unless you have a daughter of your own someday” – so Lainey will come to comprehend and know the enormity of the love of you & Brett some day!
I, too, am laughing out loud at that smashed Nella face as Lainey is loving her to pieces! Feel the love, Nella, feel the love! π
Krissy says
oh that post had me in tears… then that last picture with Nella on Lainey’s chest cracked me up. Thank you again for giving us glimpses into your lives.
Lisa Hewlett says
I knew as soon as I saw this post was up, it would have me in tears, and now I’m crying into my lunch. My baby boy, turns 1 in 10 days, so I’m a huge sap right now. They really do teach you all about love, don’t they? And to think God loves us even more than we love them. It makes life worth living. Thanks, Kelle.
Anonymous says
Gorgeous words, gorgeous pictures. Brought tears to my eyes and makes me think about my daughter.
Happy birthday, Lainey!!
wonderchris says
The bear hug for Nella shows the love that Lainey is – so very sweet.
Three years!! WOW, Happy Birthday, Lainey!!!
Stephanie says
Again I’m captivated. What beautiful memories you’re creating for your family. Happy 3rd Miss Lainey! Enjoy this next season!
~KC: says
I’m in tears. A beautiful and emotional unconditional love letter to your first born!
Your Lainey has done, is doing and will continue to do wonderful things~
Love to see Lainey and Nella loving each other and how they are looking so much alike. C:
“While a heart connection lets us appreciate those we love just as they are, a soul connection opens up a further dimension –seeing and loving them for who they could be, and for who we could become under their influence. This means recognizing that we have an important part to play in helping each other become more fully who we are.” -John Welwood
karla@westernesse.com says
*sniffle*
Beautiful, heartfelt.
You are both blessed to have each other! I read this as my own 2-year-old firstborn daughter is annoying the heck outta me, and am trying to lighten up and put it in perspective.
Here’s to another year of magic!
villemezbrown says
This may be your most beautiful, touching, powerful post yet for me. You are the kind of mother I strive to be. Somehow, you have put into words and pictures a small glimpse of that intense, overwhelming, miraculous love that I know you feel for Lainey. I know because that is what I feel for my daughter.
Adele
Dana says
Beautiful, amazing words Kelle. You’ve left me in sweet, happy tears as usual.
Happy Birthday Lainey Love!
Marilena says
Happy Birthday Lainey!! What a beautiful post about your beautiful girl…You have inspired me to start writing about our lives more often. Not so much on my blog but maybe in a journal. I wish my mom would have written about her life as we were growing up…what a sweet legacy you are leaving for your girls!
The Madaus Family says
Happy Birthday Lainey! What a beautiful family you are blessed to be a part of! Your Mommmy gives me inspiration everyday to be the best mommy i can be to my two little ones and to take the time to enjoy the small things!
Carey says
Beautiful…
Anonymous says
Happy Birthday Lainey!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day. You are gift to your mother and she is a gift to me. Thank you for sharing your story, your life. Your words are so powerful and have changed me forever. I see the joy that each life brings even during the days and moments you don’t think you can on. Thank you!
Mrs. G says
A mother’s love is so hard to describe, yet you do it perfectly.
This post had me in tears of joy.
Happy Birthday to your big girl.
Stephanie Garcia
Texas
angela says
What beautiful , amazing, heartwarming words and pictures!
Brittany says
Happy 3rd Birthday, Lainey! I hope your day is full of joy and sweet things.
Kelle, your words, though always beautiful, were especially beautiful in this post. And I just love the photo of Lainey squishing Nella with a huge hug. Priceless!
Life with Kaishon says
Happy Birthday to sweet baby Lainey! 3 looks so perfect on her π
Nisha says
Happy Birthday Lainey! Oh Kelle, it hurt my heart to read your post. It has really lifted my spirits. I have 2 little ones and I love them darely, at least I think so…Sometimes I am so ungrateful and forget what a joy and blessing they are to me and they are here to teach me things I would never know otherwise. Lately i’ve been observing my 28 month old and he seems autistic , my heart is crushed but I know there’s a higher purpose.
You keep me coming back for more inspiration.. Thank you
Mary says
Beautiful letter!
Happy Birthday Lainey!
Diana L. says
Kelle,
such a gift you are giving to your girls… the written words of their mama, who loves them just as deeply as a mama should…
Happy Birth-day Lainey! You are such a gift to your family…and that is a gift to all of us who “peek in” on what’s happening in your world.
Thanks for being the highlight to what can be a very heavy week!
Karin/Iowa says
Happy 3rd Bday Lainey. You have such a wonderful Mommy(and family)
I love the pics – especially the squishy faced nella pic.
Your letter brought tears to my eyes!
littlelola says
π
Jess says
Happy Birthday, Lainey!
As you said, Lainey was handpicked for you…but I think you & brett were handpicked for Lainey as well. She was suppose to be yours, just as Nella was too, and there is no better place she could have been but born into your wonderful loving family.
I’ve went through a lot of your older posts, not all of them there are a lot, but most of them…and she has grown so big. Seeing littler kids on my bus, it’s terrible how some of them act, how some of them were raised. Reading your blog about you raising your daughters, with your shining, loving, beautiful personality, your girls are going to have those same exact traits. They are going to grow up to be amazing people.
They’re going to get their love from their parents, they are going to be unique, caring, compassionate souls. They are going to make such differences in the world, because they already have in your heart.
I hope I can raise my children with the kind of love you do; all the love in my heart. You are such a role model, Kelle. Not just for your girls, but for your readers as well. No matter if most of your readers are older, I think we all look to each other to help great through things, we’re all just trying to do our best. Knowing that life has thrown you curve balls, and yet you keep somehow turning it all around, really helps inspire me to remember that although bad things happen, so much good is around us too.
I hope Lainey & you all had a magical day celebrating her birth.
Rachel says
CRYING!!!!! Wonderful words! π My own baby girl is turning 3 tomorrow! I LOVE these photos of Lainey. So amazing. π
Lianna says
Three! Three! Wonderful 3! Happy Birthday Lainey!
The Boop says
oh and isadora, this blog also makes me want to be a mom too. I dream about this day. I think it will be the most magical day of my life when i get the title “mom”
-now i just need to find a man who also dreams of this day.
Suzanne says
You are an expression of peace and love in this world. If everyone had a momma like you what a wonderful world it would be!
Anonymous says
Well, that sure made me cry. Happy 3rd birthday Lainey! You are a special little girl in a wonderful family.
Bridget
Christie Clair says
Your blog inspires me. Inspires me to store up treasures of the lovely and beautiful. Of my own sweet, and growing too fast, babes.
Just wanted to pass on a couple of song recommends that you might like. (They have become some of my favorites)
“Night Mantra” and “Miracle” by – Renee & Jeremy
Cheers to you and yours!
GraceesMommy says
kelle..well again..this is your best post to date. i think i have said that on most of your post..i am always blown away by your words and pictures.
i don’t know why but when i see a picture of you i see my girl all grown up..seriously you could pass for her mother..and the funny thing is i could pass for lainey’s. when we adopted gracee and she was the opposite coloring of me i would always search out mother/daughters that were opposite in coloring..don’t know why but it always made me feel good..weird…but somethings are hard to explain and we don’t know why it even makes a difference.
anyway happy third birthday to your first born…and i agree with poppa..if only EVERY child in the world could be loved like our babies are..we would be in heaven on earth! ♥
Anna Ruth says
Happy 3rd birthday Lainey Love. You have grown this year into a little girl full of love and happiness.
Jorie says
Happy Birthday Lainey Love!
jimloey@aol.com says
you have raised this wonderful little girl. She is what she is because of you and Brett. You are to be applauded for raising such a caring, loving little girl. Job well done!
margaret says
What perfect beautiful words. You may not realize now Kelle, but you are leaving a legacy of love for your children with your writing. These are words that they will look back on during the important moments in their lives and they will know they were truly loved. Happy Birthday Lainey…
Anna. says
I already commented on this post the first time I read it but, feeling compelled to read it again, have found a line that I missed before in my eagerness to see and hear about more of sweet Lainey and beautiful Nella π
‘I yearned for you my entire life and in that moment–that precious moment–the planets aligned and the world was very, very good indeed.’
Wow. I can so relate to that at the moment – I’m way too young to be a mama right now but longing for a little of my own. Knowing that one day I might be lucky enough to have my own ‘precious moment’, and that I’m not the only one to feel like this young means that I can focus today on what I should be focusing on – exams.
Thank you so, so much Kelle π xxxxx
MJ's Mommy says
WOW…how amazingly you have captured into words how I feel about my Mary Rose who turned 5 in April…she was 13 months old when my son John was born prematurely and she did all the things for me that Lainey did for you <3 God bless you and your way to magically capture true feelings in words! Thx for continuing to inspire me to me the mom I always dreamed of being! Julie
-Jill- says
Wow… It’s like I can feel the ♥love♥ through my screen, all the way from you to the north of Norway.
This might be the best blog post I’ve ever read.
Thanks for sharing, and making my day a better day.
Anonymous says
Who is signing Reason to Believe? Love it.
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