To Abbie, from daddy

(This was written by my husband.)
Happy Birthday Abbigale,
I can’t believe you are already 2 years old. I remember taking you home from the hospital four days after you were born. I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous driving. You looked so tiny all curled up in that car seat. You had no control over your little arms and legs, or anything for that matter, but you did manage to look at me with those big blue eyes…and I was smitten.
As soon as you were born your big personality came blaring out in the form of many incredibly loud screams that even the delivery nurses were impressed with. I remember briefly thinking, “hmmm, she’s kind of spunky”…I had no idea.
I started work the next day and it was tough keeping my mind on my job. I was always wondering what you were doing at home. It didn’t matter how bad work was at the time, as soon as I got in the car to come home and see you, I was instantly happy. I forgot my frustrations and worries and couldn’t wait to get home to hold you. You’re growing up so fast. What amazes me so much about you is you’re determination. When you first started crawling no terrain was too much for you. You’re biggest obstacle was stairs and of course that’s the first place you wanted to go. I have spent many hours standing over you as you tried to tackle those stairs. That didn’t change when you started walking, it just became a whole new challenge that you didn’t shy from.
Now a days you’re learning to talk. I love watching your facial expressions when Mom and I are talking to you. I can see those wheels turning and I know you’re filing away every word we say and connecting it with the situation. Even when we’re just talking amongst ourselves while you’re playing, you’re still monitoring those air waves, listening in. It amazes me how smart you are. I love that you can talk to me and tell me “I uuvv eww Daaadddeeeee” or “Good morning Daaaddeee”.
I also love when I’m carrying you and you put your little hand on the back of my neck; there are really no words to describe how I feel at that time. When you were one year old, while I was holding you, you would grab both my ears with your hands and then pull my face toward you and try to suck on my schnauz. When you started getting teeth that got more painful, but I still thought it was adorable and there was no way I was going to stop you from doing it no matter how much my eyes began to water.
You’re just an amazing little girl and if I could spend all my time with you I would. I know you probably get tired of me smothering you but I’ve never known anything to be so sweet. You’re just naturally a friendly gentle (except when you’re tackling the dogs) little girl and I just love to be around you. I hope you have a great 2nd Birthday with your Mom and Grandparents, and I hope you can understand that wish I could be there with all my heart. I love you so much and I miss you more than anything.
Your Daddy
20 May 2011 (from Afghanistan)