Dear Sofia,
Today you are eight-years-old! I can't believe how fast you are growing up.
You are a crazy, spunky child. When compared to your brother, you are definitely my wild child. You have kept us on our toes since before you were born, we never knew what to expect from you and still don't. When you came home from school before Christmas and declared you didn't want to go to school anymore because you were smart enough, I wasn't surprised. Madre, Daddy, and I were all so glad when you were excited about going back after the break. You needed a break just as much as grown-ups need a break from time to time.
You love speaking Spanish with Madre and Skyping with Abuelo. Timmy hasn't caught onto Spanish as quickly as you did; I really hope you help him pick it up, though. Your favorite two weeks are always over the summer. You spend a week in Miami with Abuelo and you went to camp for a week last summer. Madre has always been a fan of being outside and camping, but I never have been. That's the one time I can tell that you aren't my daughter by blood. You're old enough that you've been asking about your parent situation. I'm glad that that you understand that you even though you didn't grow inside of me, you are just as much a part of me as you are a part of Madre and Daddy. Sometimes I feel like our bond is even closer than the bond between you and Madre. There are things you tell me that I'm pretty sure you haven't told Madre, Daddy, or even Lexie.
Your favorite thing to do is to lie on the living room floor after Timmy's in bed and tell Madre and me about your day at school. We really miss hearing about it on the nights you spend with Daddy and Lexie. I'm dreading the day you decide you're too old to call me Mommy anymore. That will be the day I know you are definitely growing up and really aren't my little girl anymore.
You amaze me each and every day. I can't believe that the girl I see who loves going to Miami and Girl Scout camp is the same girl no one was sure is she would survive past her birth.
Love,
Mommy