The Dundee Weiers: Hannah turns 3 years old!

Dear Hannah,

You have reached a big milestone, you are now officially three years old! As with your brother and sister, I thought I would write to you to let you know how much joy you have brought into our family since the day you were born.

You continue to be my saving grace. After a scary pregnancy with Megan and a traumatic delivery with Matthew, I told Daddy that we were definitely having another one just to help erase the bad memories from the prior two experiences! Your pregnancy and delivery were the most pleasant and painless experiences by far. If you do the math someday :), you will figure out that you were Daddy's nine-month-belated birthday present. And even though I remember being very tired and uncomfortable, my pregnancy with you was uneventful. You grew just perfectly that even though your due date was January 12th, my doctor said I could deliver you one week early. Daddy, being an accountant, tried negotiating with the doctor to let you out before the end of the year to get one more deduction. But Dr. Coll refused. And so on January 5th, 2007, Daddy drove me to Good Shepherd hospital in Barrington, IL where you were born at 10:39AM.

I remember seeing you for the first time and thinking how much you looked like your brother, Matthew, when he was born. You had the same dark hair and dark eyes as he did. But as you have grown, I am told on almost a daily basis by complete strangers how much you look like me. The one thing you did keep though was Daddy's hazel eyes. That I am so happy you have kept.

Daddy and I had already agreed to the name Hannah but we had no ideas for a middle name. Your Aunt Ya-ya (Jaime) and Nana Zeller were at the hospital when you were born and they suggested "Christine" after Daddy's name, Christopher. Daddy LOVED that idea and I finally said okay - but it was more because I like the sound of it together with "Hannah". Little did I know just how important that decision would be less than two and a half years later. I am so so so very thankful we named you after Daddy.

You were a very good baby. I remember you being really quiet and laid back until around six months when you discovered your voice. You quickly learned how to scream for attention over the constant commotion from your brother and sister. From that point on, you convinced yourself that you were in charge and to this day you still act like the oldest, not the youngest, sibling. Thank goodness Matthew and Megan love you so much because they continue to let you get away with it!

You also get away with a lot from me. You are so funny and loving that it is hard to be strict with you. And what a ball of energy you are! I constantly find you on the counters trying to get to the gum and candy in the kitchen cabinet. You have a serious sweet tooth. You also like to pull out the drawers between the kitchen sink and the island to swing like a monkey. Which is why just today while at your three year check up with Dr. Maw you said your full name is, "Hannah Banana Weier".

Hannah, I don't think I will ever be able to fully express how very sorry I am that Daddy died when you were so young. It breaks my heart to know that you will most likely never remember him at all. That is why I talk about him every day with you . I have to try to keep his memory alive for you. I hope to God that you will at least remember the stories I share with you even though you might not remember him. You came up with a little prayer ever since Daddy died and I hope you never forget it. You say, "I love you Daddy. Have fun in Heaven with Jesus. Amen."

I love you Hannah. Daddy loves you, too. Amen.