Another year, gone

There's a commercial where a little girl walks into the family room and asks her dad if she can borrow the car. He's bewildered and says, "Why?" as if there is a good reason for a 5-year-old to drive. But then he looks at her again and she's 16. This is really going to happen to me. I still look at her and see the baby I had on 2-20-06.
My father often says he can see traits in my mannerisms and body language that I've had since I was an infant. He can go right back in time and remember me that small as if it was literally last year.
My girl Bella, my pride and joy, will be 3 tomorrow.
She has grown so unbelievably beautiful and smart doesn't even begin to describe her. She's exceptional.
Lately, Bella has her issues. She gets stressed out when we are. She understands most everything we talk about and asks WHY? all the time. It's an insatiable curiosity to find out how this big world works.
She was our world until Tori was born. Now everything revolves around them both. The adjustments have been smooth and any bumps in the road with the transition were expected. We have great literature about raising children and parents to help us unlock the communication challenges and that is a blessing.
She will know how much we love her no matter how many kids we have and that is our most important goal.
Her sense of humor is developing and it fascinates us to see what makes her laugh.
She is so perceptive. She can reason and make up games. She's obsessed with umbrellas, dance costumes and princess dresses. She loves glittery crowns and acting like a lady(...sometimes). She thinks that her My Little Pony's shoes are gold, and Barbie shoes too for that matter.
She wants to be good and have us praise her. She even praises her stuffed animals, her dolls and her little sister.
She is the apple of Tori's eye. There is no better entertainment.
All-in-all, we won the lottery 3 years ago on having a great first daughter. We knew immediately that she was special.
I only hope that we can nurture her talents, give her the confidence to be herself and be proud of it.
Happy Birthday my sweet angel. You are a gem and a joy.
Note Bella's nicknames:
Bunnygoose
Angelface
Sweet pickles
Peanut
Nocko Nocko head
Stinker Naninker
I love you (yes, as a nickname)
Rooter Tooter
Swilly
Princess

Tommy "wrote" a song for her that we sing to her 3 times every night...
Goodnight sweet Bella, my princess, my angel
Goodnight sweet Bella, goodnight.
I hope that you dream of butterflies and rainbows
Goodnight sweet Bella, goodnight.
And when you wake up in the morning I will be right here
I hope to see you smiling from ear to ear.
Goodnight sweet Bella, my princess, my angel
Goodnight sweet Bella, goodnight

It's very sweet to hear Bella sing this song simply called "Bella's song"