Cyrah Jazzlyn  (Sigh-Ra Jazz-lyn) n. One who is full of zest for life.

Happy 2nd birthday, my little Jazzy Girl.  It seems that time really does fly.  Wasn’t it just last week I was on my way in a snowstorm to the hospital to induce your labor because of a silly high blood pressure issue?  I was nervous because it was a bit early for you to come, but on the way there the phrase “small but mighty” popped into my head.  I instantly relaxed.  I knew no matter how small you were, it didn’t matter because you were a fighter.  We didn’t know you were a girl at the time, but you are Jazzy the Adventure Girl!  After a little help from some (eeehhhemmm-ouch) powerful drugs, you decided enough was enough and you blasted your way into this world, surprising everyone at the speed in which you were delivered.  Even the doctor didn’t make it to your delivery and you gave me such a panic when you decided to come in the five minutes your daddy went to get some dinner.  But, thankfully he made it back into the room just in time to throw on some gloves and catch you himself!  What a special moment it was when we saw that you were a GIRL!  Our Cyrah Jazzlyn.  You were a tiny little baby, only 5 lbs. 9 oz. and holding you felt like holding a feather.  I will always treasure the times I had with you snuggled up on my chest even while we were both in and out of the hospital for various medical troubles.   We made it through the crazy first month and I felt a fierce love wash over me each time I snuggled you and looked into your sweet little eyes.  You could fit in one of my hands.  Such a doll baby.

It didn’t take us long to recognize your spunk.  Your easy smile and your coos made it impossible for us not to fall more and more in love with you.  Your big brother showed us his protective side many times and didn’t like it when anyone he didn’t know was holding you.  He has been protective ever since too.  He really loves you.  We would often laugh about your reddish hair because it stood straight up just like a baby chimp.  No matter what I did, your hair stood straight up.  It was adorable.

Fast forward a bit through the sleepless nights and constant growing and then we got to celebrate your first birthday!  One year of life under your belt.  You didn’t waste anytime crawling and walking, in fact, by your first birthday you were very proficient at climbing and giving your momma occasional heart attacks.  Despite my fear that you’d injure yourself, I relaxed just a bit when I realized you were really quite coordinated and you could climb and run with the best of the bigger kids.  And, if you did fall or get hurt, you hardly cried and often didn’t even make a peep.  Speaking of talking, you didn’t.  You were silent until just a few months ago.  You could understand and carry out pretty complicated commands, so we knew you were probably just concentrating on the physical part of your development and the talking would come when you were ready.

Now we are getting ready to celebrate your second birthday and you have been entertaining us with your silly antics and we love to hear your vocabulary expanding daily.  Right now, some of my favorite things you say are “Hold you me” when you want us to pick you up, and “big gew chew” (big girl chair) every time we sit down to eat you remind us you don’t want to sit in your booster chair, and “Ma tewn” (my turn), and when I ask you what your name is you often answer “Me!” or “Sista.” (Sister)  Sometimes you do the silliest things.  Last night I was laying down on the couch and you came over and licked my hair and said “pizza.”  And, when we smell a stinky diaper, we say “Jazzy, did you poop?” to which you reply, “No, Siah (Josiah).” as you point to your big brother.  If you turn a summersault or jump from a chair you say “Te te ta!” (ta da!)  I also love how you squeal with delight over the smallest things like washing your hands or brushing your teeth and you shout “hooray” or “Yahoo!”     It’s contagious, my sweet girl, so keep your zest and joy even in the ordinary.

I love that your favorite book is “Jazz Baby” by Lisa Wheeler and we have made the words into a song.  You sing right along and it melts our hearts.

I love that your favorite songs are “Deep and Wide,” “The Wheels on the Bus,” “Hush Little Rooster,” “My God is so Big,” “Jingle Bells,” and you even sing along when I sing the old him “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”

I love that your favorite food is spaghetti.  You call it PASTA!!!!  (said with excitement every time.)

I love that your favorite TV shows are Boz the Bear, Curious George which you call “oo oo ah ah,” and Kipper, and I think it’s so cute you call them “Moowies.”

I love that you still suck your two middle fingers on your left hand which is so cute.  You might want to kick that habit before too long though.

I love that you love to dance and sing along to songs that you don’t even know.  Adorable.

I love that you are showing strong signs that you are a lefty.  I don’t know why I love that, but I do.

So, my darling little Jazzy Girl, here’s to another year of growing and discovering the world around you. The whole wide world is open for you and it’s a great place of adventure and  excitement.   My prayer for you this year is that you continue to love people around you, to know how much Jesus loves you, that you see yourself the way he sees you, and that you always believe truth.  You are a treasure.  I love you so much.  I always will.

Love,

Momma

This is what the LORD says:

“I will go before you, Cyrus, (CYRAH JAZZLYN)

and level the mountains.

I will smash down gates of bronze

and cut through bars of iron.

And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—

secret riches.

I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD,

the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.”

Isaiah 45:2-3

And so it begins!

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