Dear Grace, Now You Are Eleven

Little did I know when I wrote your last birthday post just how many changes you’d go through this year and how much you’d suddenly grow up. Now you are eleven. Today is Tuesday and, quite fittingly, it was the day you were born.

Your continual care of me throughout my pregnancy showed me the wonderful, kindly soul that you are. You wouldn’t let me lift anything, making sure that no matter how heavy, you carried the shopping. You sat with my swollen feet on your lap, massaging them to help them feel better and you were there with smiles and cuddles when I needed cheering up. You came to so many of my boring hospital appointments but I cannot recall you complaining about a single one.

You told us you would like a brother. I think my favourite moment of you during my pregnancy was when we told you that this was exactly what you were getting. I hadn’t planned it but we caught your reaction on video – and it became our gender reveal video.

When I was in labour with Rex, you came to the hospital with Dad at midnight and was there stroking my back as I dealt with contractions. You almost made it to the end. I can remember Dad saying you’d turned white and needed to go downstairs to join both sets of parents. You were the first to come back up though to meet your brother. I’ll never forget the look of love you had on your face.

Since having Rex, I’ve seen you suddenly become a responsible young lady. You really care for him. You make him laugh and play with him. You help with his bath and change his nappies. He adores you. You can just see it when he looks at you. He is a lucky boy to be growing up with you as a wonderful role model and someone he can look up to.

But it’s not just about you as a big sister. You’ve done so well at school. Moving up from Year 5 to 6 and obtaining a number of head teacher commendations as well as the term awards for French – twice! – and for music. Talking of music, I’ll never forget the moment you received the news that you had been awarded a distinction in your Grade 1 piano. We were worried that all the family changes would have a negative effect. Instead they have only spurred you on to go bigger and better.

You patiently accepted that you couldn’t have a holiday during the summer and during the school holidays you looked after me through some of my lowest moments. I shall never forget that.

We had a wonderful holiday at Center Parcs Longleat in November and it was there that you once again recreated a photo with Dad that we first started in 2011, our first year with him. We then took another in 2014. This years has included added Rex and we intend to do the same in another 3 years.

 

More recently you started to consider what career path you might like to follow, thanks to the Pretty Curious program. Your love of maths and science came up with the recommendation of Biotechnician. You have looked at salaries and Universities too!

As well as maths and science, your love for music and dancing has seen you join the cheerleiading club at school, enter a dance competition with your group at school – and come third in a region of schools – and enter a school talent competition where you sang. That takes guts! You made the finals too. As a result it has spurred you on and you are starting to write your own music and lyrics for the piano so you can sing and play next year.

We are so proud of you and the young lady you are becoming. Keep it up girly – me, Dad and your brother are your biggest supporters and we are right behind you, cheering you on. Wishing you a very Happy Eleventh Birthday.

All my love,

Mum xxx