How is it possible to find it impossible to imagine our family without someone who has only been a part of it for two years? I don’t have the answer but that is how I feel about our littlest girl. To capture her charming spirit in one short blog is nearly as difficult as imagining life without her.

We have yet to get over the awe that we have a little girl after 3 rambunctious boys in a row- and then another little boy after her. She is as winsome as they are rascals and yet she has a mischievous streak. We know she has plans when she toddles off while looking over her shoulder with a captivating smile and a twinkle in her eye. She never hesitates to stand her ground with her older brothers and they have learned to respect her for it.

She reminds me of a wildflower. Her head tilts in as many ways as the wind plays with wildflowers. She has tiny hands and feet and her soft hair always has a sweet scent. She is easy to carry and always ready for some snuggling time. Our little girl floats delicately (and frequently on tippy toes) through life, muslin blanket balled up in her tiny arms with a corner stuffed in her mouth, leaving a trail of items behind her. We will find her in a kitchen cabinet playing peekaboo or in the pet corner doing science experiments with their food and water or exploring older siblings’ special keepsakes or in the bathroom cleaning the toilet or practicing her drawing skills on walls and dressers…and it’s all done so quietly!

Tehillah has such a beautiful heart! She tends to her siblings by bringing them their snuggles and water bottles and favorite toys. She faithfully cleans with me and even does cleaning on her own! On our road trips she sings her little songs instead of fussing. Her “lidlidlidlooooooo!!” delighted us the entire way. She is contented with pens and paper and will busy herself with those things all throughout her day. I always smile when this darling girl gathers a stack of our Chatbooks and pores over them.

I know that every day will find her a bit taller, somewhat more mature and with an ever growing vocabulary. But for today I will soak in her collection of words and sounds that convey everything she wants to say: tongue clicks for food and water, “mamaaa,” “poppaaa,” “beebeee,” “bleh bleh” (for yucky). I will carry her for as long as I can and as long as she will let me. And I will memorize her toddling gait as she scoops up her dolls, piles them in her doll stroller and pushes them around the house.

There’s a reason wildflowers are my favorite. They are resilient and beautiful and oh so free! I pray that our little girl will flourish in all those ways too.

Happy birthday, my sweet girl!