Dear Kaelyn,

I’m writing this on your birthday eve, filled with so many powerful emotions as I remember all the details of the hours leading up to your birth. I can’t even believe that you have been here in our family for FOUR whole years, and I can honestly say that we’ve enjoyed each moment with you.
In a way, you still seem so little to me, until I look back at pictures from last year. You’ve always been a cute kid, but you recently seem to have this more grown-up, elegant sense of beauty about you. I still don’t know who you resemble most in the family, but I love your shining eyes, scrunchy-nosed grin, ever-growing pigtails, and quiet little laugh so much.

You are such a comedian, but you generally make quiet jokes without doing anything too wild or outlandish. Your silly little antics make us laugh every day.

You’re generally very content to “do your own thing” and keep yourself entertained with books, puzzles, or little stories or games you make up yourself. You are still an ultimate puzzle-doer and amaze me with how many small pieces you can put together without any guidance.

You completed another year of homeschool preschool, which was extremely laid back and based off your interests. You’ve learned your letters, can write your name, and even spell some other words, like “yes” and “no”. You love any project that involves paint, scissors, or glue. I’ve slowly started teaching you to read, and you’re getting good at sounding out short letter combinations. You also love BOB books and try to “read” them to us all the time, although you get a little grumpy if we help you too much. You watch everything Kaya does, which is a big reason you’ve picked up on so much so quickly.

You completely surprised me one day when you just started writing letters and asking me how to spell things.

You are also such a great little artist, and you most often draw pictures of you and me together. I love when you leave notes under my pillow for me to find.

Every once in a while, we sometimes still call you “Baba Grace”, but a lot less often than we used to. Your main nickname nowadays is “Kaecakes”, which you also love. You do sometimes think that your full name is “Kaelyn Baba Grace Irwin”, though.

You are all about dogs, and although you rotate who your favorite stuffed animal is, it’s almost always been a canine. “Doggy” (who I made for you) is still your current favorite, and she goes everywhere. You also really love Dalmatians and Paw Patrol, of course.

You are an amazing big sister. You watch out for Nella, and you truly always do whatever is in your power to make her happy. Sometimes that means sharing your baby doll with her, letting her have something that you’re playing with, trying to make her laugh, or giving her some of your snacks. You are our little peacemaker.

You love babies and have been looking forward to meeting your newest sister for the longest time. You always tell us, “It’s almost my birthday… and then we get to see the baby!!!” (There are not enough exclamation points for how excitedly you squeal when you say that sentence!) You cannot wait to be a big sister again, and I know you’re going to help take care of the baby as much as you can.

You love going to Primary at church, and your teachers always tell me what an angel you are in class and how reverent you are.

People often comment on your “adorable little voice”. The way you talk is so sweet, and I almost wish it’d never change, but I know one day your voice will grow with you. There’s no way to really describe it except to just listen to you talk.

You love to tell me, “We are buddies!” when we have anything at all in common (oftentimes, it’s when we’re both having the same food for lunch). I love being buddies with you.

You want to be a pediatric nurse when you grow up. You’ve told me a few times that you’ll need to get a new outfit, though, because you don’t think this one will fit when you’re bigger. You also said, “I want to give them their flu shot because that’s how people be healthy!” You also really want to be a mommy, and be my neighbor when you’re old enough to have your own house.You still really need an afternoon nap of about 1.5 to 2 hours, but you usually would rather read, play in your room, or climb up into Kaya’s bunk and goof off with her. If you don’t sleep, you are usually incredibly tired by dinnertime.Just like last year, you’re still obsessed with blueberry everything, the song “Dirt On My Boots”, and Paw Patrol. You planned on having a Paw Patrol birthday for at least a year and counted down for months leading up to it.Other favorite things include pizza, Minnie Mouse, playing outside, wearing your mint jeans, and the colors pink, purple, and blue.Your Daddy, sisters, and I love you so much, sweet girl. We feel so blessed to have you as our second precious daughter, and we know you’re going to grow up to do amazing things. Happy 4th Birthday Kaelyn!!!