Harper Mae {4.5 years}

Oh, dear 4.5 year old Harper.  How is that tomorrow you will wake up closer to 5 years old than 4?  When I got home today and looked at you, you looked markedly older than when I left.  Your face was a little thinner, hair a little straighter, legs even longer.  There's really no trace of baby left in my baby, so I'm only grasping at the pieces of preschooler I still see in  you as so many of those are giving way to you just being a big girl.

You are so bossy.  My word, you are bossy.  It feels as though every one of your sentences starts with, "When I get five, I'm gonna..." or "when you're not here and I'm the boss, I get to..." Every time you obey when it is against what you want to do, I know it is nothing less than Him working in your little heart because you don't have a compliant bone in your body.  And while it is exhausting to have you constantly vying to be the boss, I thank Him for that strong spirit He's given you--the spirit to lead.  Oh the things you can do one day, sweet girl.  I hope you are always as brave and strong as you are right now.

I can't believe how smart you are becoming, both emotionally and intellectually.  I love how you'll exclaim that something is 'hilarious."  I love how you grab a book and begin to "read" it, telling your own story as you go.  It makes my heart smile the way you imitate me as you're storytelling.  My favorite is when you read to "Willa Kate Mae," which you think is her full name.

You would be holding me at every moment of every day if you could.  There's no doubt your love language is touch.  You run up and grab our hands as we walk, kiss us on the mouth when we come or go.  You come up behind your dad and me as we sit by each other and wrap your arms around our shoulders to squeeze and say, "we're a family!"  We are.  And I'm so glad you're a part of it.

You do everything so big.  You fight so big, play so big, eat so big, love so big, feel so big.  You are so, so different than me that I often times just sit in awe and watch this life and perspective that is so foreign to me.  You're this sweet little mystery.

I tell you often that "I'm so glad you're my daughter."  And I mean that.  All day, every day.

A little question and answer with 4.5 year old Harper Mae Fertitta:



Favorite Color:  Pink

Favorite Toy: Babies

Favorite Fruit: Grapes

Favorite Move: "Ariel"

Favorite Thing to Eat for Lunch:  Sandwiches and Pretzels

Favorite Outfit:  Elsa dress

Favorite Animal: Piggy

Who is your best friend?  Mommy

What is your favorite book?  Jesus Storybook Bible and Sophia the First

What do you want to be when you grow up?  a mommy

What's your favorite thing to play?  Outside with Katie and swinging on my swingset

What's your favorite thing about school?  playing with my friends