I have a daughter in the best sense of the word. She is sassy, silly, gentle, funny, smart, kind, generous, thoughtful, and ever-present. My daughter calls me to be the best I can be. To not let her down. To not make her someone else. To cherish the very girl that she is and the woman she will be. To demand that others do the same.
A baby girl is born.
My baby girl at 1.
My baby girl at 2. She made that pin for me and then insisted on wearing it.
This is my baby girl just before turning 3. She's already a better dresser than me.
I am as proud of her for loving princesses and purple as I would be if she loved baseball and blue. I have no agenda for my daughter except a desperate desire to protect her from all the ways the world is hard on women. But I can’t. I tell her stories of triumph and courage. I tell her stories of sadness and hope. I knew that she would hurt, but it still breaks my heart every time. I hope that she will always find safe haven in my home and my hugs.
Rocking our princess dresses.
I love my baby girl. She makes me better than I am. She makes me a princess, too.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Happy birthday beautiful girl!!!
Thank you!
I love this! I hope she has a great day and you have a happy “birthing” day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY N!!!!!
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It’s amazing girls are just their own thing, even surrounded by boys and blue as my 3 year old girl is. She is beautiful, happy birthday!
Happy birthday to you both! My princess is about to be three too. She teaches me so much. Every day. May all our princesses have safe havens and great launches.
I love this “save havens and great launches” – yesyesyes
I am NOT crying. Clearly it is just my allergies.
LOVE the last line. It’s true isn’t it?! Those precious girls.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLIN’! Have a great pink and purple day.
Happy Birthday to your wonderful daughter! May she grow up to be fierce and fabulous!
Oh I love this wish for her so much.
I love everything about this post. Its mama bear vibe, the photos, the social commentary and, last but not least, your parenting style – it’s all pitch perfect.
Happy Birthday to your girly girl.
Thank you my friend. I was worried that I couldn’t find the right words so this means a lot.
Happy Birthday!
I love her fashion sense – could she come dress me some day? I need help!
Happy birthday to N(edited)!
Oh, and that was totally my girl name for C. But then he was my Charlie instead. And now I think my brother is going to go and steal the name if they have a girl in November.
Tears.
Love this post. And you’re right…so often it seems there’s pressure to push our daughters away from princesses and pink (or purple) and towards baseball and blue. And while it’s great that girls like baseball, I happen to have a full-blown princess who loves babies, lipstick, and purses. And that’s fine too.
I so wish our girly girls lived closer together so they could exchange fashion advice.
Happy birthday to your little N.
So very sweet. Happy birthday to your special girl.
This line right here tells you all you need to know about love and generosity and self confidence:
“She made that pin for me and then insisted on wearing it.”
Oh Alex, your sweet baby girl has already got it all. And it’s no wonder.
Just look at her mama.
This post is a great gift unto itself.
And your comment made me cry. Damn you Julie. Also, thank you.
Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter!
What an adorable kid. I think I just fell in love with your daughter too. I hope she has a happy birthday! She is a great dresser. I hope one day she starts a fashion blog. I could seriously use some help.
This post is so sweet. She is very lucky to have you for a mama. And you are such adorable princesses together. Happy Birthday, N!
So sweet. Happy Birthday to your sweet little girl.
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