Friday's Letters

Cheeks full of cheese, and her very first "big girl" ponytail. I don't say it often myself, but I'm going to say it: How pretty is she!? Chipmunk cheeks and all.

Dear Cheese, Why can't you be calorie-free? After my whole no-dairy stint for Maile, I tried watching the amount I ingested for awhile, but I'm back to being a cheeseaholic. Luckily, I only have a little bit of goat cheese left, so I'll have to spread it out over the next week ... or hour. Whatever!

Dear Barnes & Noble, I have a confession. I still love you. Like really, really love you. You're familiar. In high school, and when I was home from college, my dad would treat me to nights out at B&N, where we'd spend hours looking, sharing, reading. Last week Tim and I took Maile to our local Barnes & Noble, and you'd think we took her to the Disney Store -- she was in heaven. My Kindle is fantastic, don't get me wrong, but there's just something about books.

Maile's very first visit to B&N, with my dad -- her Papa. She is about 3 months old in this picture, and yeah, she is passed. out. Papa was so proud that she fell asleep on him. Please forgive the quality; it was taken with my old BlackBerry!

Last week, with Dada. She may not be much bigger, but oh, how things have changed!

Dear Baking Season, Are you over yet? I'm oddly finding myself in such an anti-baking mood this year. I used to love baking, but between having to tweak recipes 10 different ways to not end up with cracker cookies or sunken breads (thanks a lot, Colorado elevation), and the cleanup involved (um, hello, I have a toddler), it's not something I'm enjoying so much anymore. Is it okay to say that I'm ready for summer? Cutting a watermelon? Yes. Grilling? Yes. Light, fresh food? Yes. 

Dear Up All Night, I honestly can't get enough of you. So funny. Sometimes Tim and I think your writers have been secretly filming in our house.

Dear Sarah McLachlan, Wintersong is definitely my favorite seasonal album this year. Trust me and just download it, or listen to it on Spotify. It's not new, but I love it. If you haven't heard it, and you end up listening, let me know what you think!

Dear 2013, You're in a little over a week, and I couldn't be more excited. I know you're going to be great. I don't know how, but I'm looking forward to spending you with the loves of my life -- Tim and Maile -- whatever you may bring. For some reason, I feel like 2013 is going to be a big year for us; I can't wait for 2013. 2012 was wonderful in many ways, but also hard. I've learned a lot, and this next year I'll be focusing on the important stuff ... the stuff that really matters. In the meantime, I suppose I'm enjoying writing 2012 on the two or so checks I write each month. ;)

Dear Blog, I can't even tell you how happy I am writing, sharing, blogging here. I'm inspired, excited, and I really love it. This may only be a hobby, but it's important to me to keep it up, because I enjoy it. I'm not going to worry about getting caught up in a whole bunch of extras. I'm not going to worry about having to write when I don't want to, or when I'm too busy spending time with my wonderful husband and beautiful baby girl. That's a surefire way to take all the fun out of this space. I love calling this little corner my own, and all the crazy amazing friends I'm making!

Dear Maile, I'm working on relaxing. Have you noticed? I got upset with you the other day, and I realized that it was for no good reason. Really, picking up the bathroom could wait. I bring ridiculous, unnecessary stresses on myself sometimes, and that is not the example I want to set for you. What's more important? A tidy bathroom? Or reading Where the Wild Things Are for the ten zillionth time? You bet your hat that book is more important. ALWAYS. If the President decides to come over for dinner, and the house is a disaster, it will still be the book. Having daughters, I'm sure Mr. President will understand. I'm happy that I was able to catch myself, stop, breathe, and give you the attention you deserve. I pray that trend continues, and I'm sorry ... so sorry ... for all the times, past and future, that I forget. I'm just a silly grown-up, after all.

What do you want to say this Friday? And do you guys like these posts? Or would you like to see something different next year? Let me know in the comments!

The idea for this post came from the lovely Ashley, of Adventures of Newlyweds.