I can't believe you're 9! I'm so proud of who you are and even more proud of who you will become. I remember looking at you right after you were born and knowing that you were the most beautiful little person I had ever seen, then asking your daddy, "what do we do now?" Love you. That's what. And, Bailey, you are easy to love!
I love when you climb in my lap even though you fill it up a lot more now, and when we discuss life when I tuck you in at night. You have taught me to love nature, animals, and bugs much more than I ever would. I even catch them for you when I see a cool one. It once would have grossed me out but I never want you to miss out on something cool that you may only see once.
You are a deep thinker. I always wonder what is going on in that head of your especially when we go to new places or see new things. But, there is no doubt that you take it all in and notice every detail - many times things that I never noticed. You remember everything - details that I would certainly have forgotten. I enjoy your questions when we are in the car, especially when it's just you and me. You have asked questions since you were a year old and I've answered them, sometimes I had to look up the answer, but I spent hours talking, teaching, and answering. Now, you teach me.
I love the way you learn everything about what you are interested in. When you were 18 months, it was trains - you knew every Thomas character by looking at the picture - had the entire catalog memorized. You could name every kid in your daycare class by first and last name at 2. At 3, you could pronounce the scientific names of every reptile in the book and knew more Star Wars trivia than people who were born in the 70's did. Lately it's cars. You can name every make and model of every car that goes by. You told me the other day that it was too bad that cars drive so fast when they go by because there are some really cool ones out there and you don't get to look at them long enough. Just like life - it goes by so fast that sometimes we don't look at it long enough. You've taught me to slow down, sometimes stop, and appreciate what's in front of me.
You build things - with legos, with paper, with sheets and clothespins and furniture, for bugs, in your mind. You always amaze me with your creativity. I know you will build many more great things.
You love sports, playing it, watching it, and mostly because your daddy likes it so much. I know nothing about this subject so your daddy gets to answer these questions and I'm amazed at the names of players and teams that you know. I love to watch you swing a bat and throw a football and I'm thankful that you are strong and healthy so that you can.
You are a big helper and a great big brother. You always remember my grocery list so I love taking you to the store. I always know your sister is protected by you, even when you look a little grossed out. She loves you so much.
You worry a lot, and so do I. You've had to grow up more than I wanted you to because of things that happened in our lives but I'm so proud of the way you have handled them. You have taught me to be strong and helped me to be brave. You are wiser than you should be at 9 and as a mother, I wanted to protect you from anything bad, scary, or sad, but you have taught me to face my fears and handle things as they come because sometimes we have no choice and because at the end of the day, I get to hold you and your sister.
You are sometimes the voice of reason, the stater of the obvious, the jokester, the prankster, sensitive, sweet, caring, and loving. Happy Birthday, Stephen Bailey Jessop! I love you very much.
Mommy
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