Look Who is Two

I've always wanted to have a large family. I used to say, very emphatically, that I wanted six kids - an even half dozen.

But years have a funny way of passing and the next thing I knew, I was in my thirties with one son and pregnant with a daughter.

As much as my heart ached to have more children, my mind argued the logic of stopping at two. My heart heard my head and, when that precious baby is born, I realized with a bittersweet smile, she's my last.

When Elizabeth was placed in my arms two years ago today, I knew, without a doubt, that I was holding a precious gift. A gift I treasure and cherish. I spend hours watching her, listening to her, learning about her.

I look at my sweet little love and search for a glimpse of the woman she'll become. Her face lights with a coy smile at every opportunity. Her arms are always open for hugs, her mouth puckered for kisses. She loves with abandon, without fear.

She's a little mother with her brood of illegitimate children. She's up to seventeen now. Seventeen babies that she carries, nurses, rocks, pats and pushes in their carts. Seventeen babies that she tucks into bed, dresses and feeds. I watch her and realize she's not playing. She is so serious in her responsibilities. She tackles the care of her babies with single minded determination. Sometimes I catch her sighing before picking up her next baby. Her breath passes over her little lips in a sound of exhaustion at odds with her age.

She's fearless, my girl. Leaping from the steps, jumping into the water, flinging herself around until her eyes are blackened, her legs scraped, her elbows bruised. I try to teach caution while secretly hoping she spends the rest of her life as fearless as she is now.

She's smart. I know, all mothers say that. But her intelligence awes me. I recently taught her and Joseph the chorus to Mandy. They were fascinated that a song carried Mommy's name. Elizabeth ordered me to sing it, over and over again. I sang it while driving, while cooking, while putting dinner in front of them. Then, I looked at her while I sang it. Her eyes were glued to my lips, her mouth moving in time to mine, whispering words she doesn't yet understand.

She's two today, my baby. My little love, my queen, my angel. She brings me more joy than I ever thought possible. She's demanding, bossy, loud, sweet, loving, fierce, determined, kind, smart and so many other things.

If I'm only allowed two children - one boy and one girl - these are the best two children any mother could receive. I'm a lucky woman. A very lucky mother.

Happy birthday, my darling girl. Dream of babies and cotton candy and when you wake, I'll feed you donut holes for breakfast and cupcakes for dinner.