Dear Parker || A Love Letter

02/13/2017

Parker is currently in a phase where she constantly asks me to tell her stories about when she was a baby.  I proceed to tell her about seemingly mundane moments like the first time we took her to visit the ducks at Franklin Canyon Park or the first time she rode the horses at the Studio City Farmer’s Market. I tell her other stories like what happened on the night she was born when they first laid her in my arms and she looked up at me with these squinty eyes, making such strong eye contact or her first trip to Disneyland when we happened upon all of the characters walking out moments after entering the park. (Something that has never ceased to blow my mind especially now when we go back and only bump into characters that sit at the end of a long queue of waiting kiddos and their parental units.)  There is something about looking back on her almost three years of life that makes me realize how much my love for her has multiplied over the last 34 months and 9 days.  The love I felt for her when she was in my belly pales in comparison to the love I felt when they first placed her in my arms which pales in comparison to the love I felt when she first learned to give me a kiss or say mama which pales now in comparison to the love I felt last night watching her run at full speed through the fields around Central Market chasing birds and kids and anything else that would move swiftly out of her way. She would then return at full speed into my arms forcing out a laugh too loud for an almost three year old. However will my heart continue to hold all of this love I have for you, baby girl?!

If some day you should ask to know what you were like at almost three years old, let me tell you this: You are as comfortable sitting on the ground, scavenging for rocks and sticks while dirt piles up under your fingernails as you are in your pale pink tights and leotard at ballet class.  You say “Awwww” any time you find something to be sweet or cute or heartwarming.  You love your school friends and friends you make at the park. You’ve never met a stranger. (Not even the Time Warner guy who came to install our internet last weekend and was the happy recipient of your fact-telling. “I have a friend named Harper.” “My daddy is at work.” “My daddy goes to the gym.” “My friend Nash no lives in Texas.”) You love all animals– puppies, kitties, ladybugs, and, according to you, even snakes. (Although, I hope we never find out whether or not that is true.) You close your eyes and clench your fists when you sing songs from the ‘Moana’ soundtrack and play the air guitar and piano while dancing to the ‘Sing’ Soundtrack.  You have endless energy that often doesn’t tire until 9pm, although I do everything in my power to get you to sleep by 8:30.  You would prefer to sleep in the nude if we would let you. (We don’t.)

I hit the jackpot when I got to be your mama, girl.

On Jen: Dress, Zara (Similar, Similar, Similar + Similar) || Jacket, Zara (Similar) || Boots, Coach from a few years ago (Similar + Similar)

On Parker: Overalls, Zara || Tee, Target || Boots, Similar || Sweater, Zara (Similar)

Photography by Katie Jameson