Dear Ivy,

Thank you. 

Thank you for the gift of motherhood.

Thank you for giving me the chance to learn, for allowing me to make mistakes without judgement.  Thank you for teaching me patience and filling everyday with joy.  Thank you for forgiving me of my flaws and always seeing the best in me.  Thank you for the unconditional love every single day.

Thank you for filling my heart with overwhelming love. 

And…Thank you for being willing to share.

For the last two years, you have had my undivided attention.  You have had all my love and time.  During your lifetime, I have spent every moment thinking about you.  I have spent all of my time ensuring you are safe, happy and healthy.  We have laughed.  We have cried. We have had good days and bad.  But through it all, you have had me all to yourself.  Until recently when I changed it all.  I brought someone else into this world, and in turn I changed yours forever. 

I am not sorry for this decision. I do not regret my choice to give you a sibling.  I will not feel guilty for changing what you knew because I know that this choice will help shape your future.  From this choice you will learn new skills, you will discover new feelings and your personality will flourish as you gain new experiences.  I know that you will, in time, understand and I hope one day you will be thankful for your sister.

I would like you to know, that without you, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today.  Without you I would be lost.  You are such a huge important part of me, and I want you to know that this hasn’t changed and it never will.  You may no longer have ALL of my attention, but you still have my attention.  You may no longer have ALL of my love,  but I still love you.  You may no longer have ALL of my time, but I still have time for you.  I will always have time for you. 

Our life as we knew it has changed, but I am confident that it has changed for the better. 

So, thank you my darling baby girl.  Thank you for showing willing to share.  Thank you for openly welcoming your sister into our family.  Thank you for accepting the change.  It won’t always be easy, and there will most certainly be times when you feel left out, forgotten, perhaps you’ll feel jealous and angry…but I can assure you, you won’t always feel that way.  There will be more times in which you feel love and joy.  More times in which you feel happiness.  Your life will be full of laughter.  You will forever have a partner in crime.  Someone to always play with.  Someone to create mischief with.  Someone to love, support and guide.  Someone that will look up to you.  Someone to share your childhood with.  Someone to grow up with.

I need you to know that without you, life would be so different.  I know so much more about myself since having you.  I know my strengths and my limits.  You have helped me to understand myself and what I am capable of.  I want you to know that I am will forever be thankful to you Ivy.  Thank you for being my first born.  For shaping me as a mother.  For showing me what love is at an incomprehensible level. 

Thank you for showing love and affection to the new member of our family.  

Thank you for opening your heart  to the unknown.

Thank you for making me feel confident in the choices I have made. 

I love you more than words can say Ivy and  I am incredibly proud of you baby girl.

All my love, always,

Mummy xxxx