To the Birthday Girl

Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy

Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy

What started as an innocent on-line baby book to chronicle Jill's stay-at-home days with her children, (Lily, Ben, and Evan) quickly transformed into a vibrant community of parents, brought together by a common theme: Parenting doesn’t have to be perfect. Learn more here.
Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy

@scarymommy

NYT bestselling author of Confessions of a Scary Mommy and Motherhood Comes Naturally (And Other Vicious Lies). Fond of curse words, sarcasm and Diet Coke.
Scary Mommy Confessions: Share Your Secrets With The Stress-Less Parenting Club http://t.co/AFP9mLWVjC via @HuffPostParents - 7 hours ago
Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy

Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)

Lily, my baby girl, my heart swells with so much pride and love for you. I am so very blessed to be your Mommy, and so filled with excitement as I think about the years to come. Happy, Happy Birthday, my love. I adore you.

{A post from Jeff  for his little girl}

If I’ve learned anything as a parent to three small children, it’s that you love them all equally, but not the same. With Ben, it’s about his curiosity and his wisdom (seriously–as silly as it sounds–he is a wise, wise boy). With Evan, it’s about his spunk and charisma. If there is such a thing as an “It” factor for a toddler, Evan has it.

And then there is Lily. My darling, precious, perfect Lily.

As the first child and the only girl, Lily has an inherently prime place in our family. That would have been enough, if it were the only thing going for the girl. But lucky for me, it’s not.

Lily has a heart that is warm and full.  She doesn’t just love, she LOVES. And I can’t think of anything that makes me feel as good as being loved by her.

Lily hugs like her life depends on it, and she smiles with a sincerity that belies her age.

Lily is deeply, naturally empathetic.  Others’ pain hurts her–even though sometimes it’s one of her brothers in pain and she is the cause.

In her six short years, Lily has taught me so much, and she continues to shape who I am. I am thankful we didn’t wait a moment longer to start our family (accident, what accident??), otherwise I’d have lived too long without knowing what it feels like being Lily’s daddy. And that’s a feeling I can’t get enough of.

Happy Birthday, our beautiful baby girl. You are extraordinary.

xoxo

Around the web

{ 73 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Seattledad (Luke, I am Your Father) February 3, 2010 at 12:47 am

Very nice post Jeff.

Happy Birthday Lily!
.-= Seattledad (Luke, I am Your Father)´s last blog ..Naturally, He’s a Whiz Kid =-.

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2 C @ Kid Things February 3, 2010 at 12:47 am

Aw, that was so sweet! Happy Birthday to your girl!
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..What it Means to Me =-.

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3 sandyj February 3, 2010 at 1:25 am

Jeff . Your posts always make me cry. Maybe next year we can plan ahead and actually be there for Lily’s birthday. We miss all of you lots even though we only left Sunday.. Lily is all you write about. Her hugs, her accepting and loving all she meets, her sincerity. She is a wonderful young girl showing a bit of who she will be in the years to come. Now if you can harness her ability to go without sleep and share it with all of us sleep deprived souls things will be great.
happy birthday Lily, we love you so much.
love,
Sandy [and of course Papa]

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4 Melissa February 3, 2010 at 2:50 am

Little Girls ROCK!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Paris to Cuba =-.

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5 dysfunctional mom February 3, 2010 at 5:05 am

Ahh, the sweetness! I love the pictures. Happy Birthday to her!

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6 Danielle February 3, 2010 at 7:31 am

Such a sweet post. Thank you for sharing!

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7 Danielle February 3, 2010 at 7:48 am

Happy Birthday! Hope your family has a wonderful celebration!
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.

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8 Marinka February 3, 2010 at 8:15 am

Happy Birthday, Lily! Gorgeous post, Jeff.
.-= Marinka´s last blog ..Happy Anniversary! =-.

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9 jen February 3, 2010 at 8:18 am

What a wonderful post! Happy Birthday, Lily!
.-= jen´s last blog ..back in the saddle again =-.

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10 Melisa February 3, 2010 at 8:27 am

Happy birthday to Lily!

Funny, my son’s birthday is today as well, and he IS fifteen, sometimes going on five or six. haha

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11 Stephanie February 3, 2010 at 8:44 am

Absolutely beautifully written. She sounds like a great kid. Beautiful both inside and out.
Happy Birthday Lily!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Please give me patience =-.

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12 Denise February 3, 2010 at 8:55 am

Happy B-Day to Lily. What a sweet post!

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13 Dawn Strauss February 3, 2010 at 8:56 am

Sniff sniff. Jeff, that was beautiful. I loved it. Happy Birthday to the sweetest 6 year old!

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14 HaB February 3, 2010 at 8:57 am

*sniff* Beautiful…..Just beautiful!
.-= HaB´s last blog ..George who? =-.

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15 WebSavvyMom February 3, 2010 at 9:21 am

–>Very sweet! I hope she had a great birthday!
.-= WebSavvyMom´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Fun in the Snow =-.

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16 Complicated Mama February 3, 2010 at 9:35 am

That is so sweet!!

Its so true that as parents we love equally but differently.

Happy Birthday to Lily!

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17 Kmama February 3, 2010 at 9:51 am

Happy Birthday Lily!
.-= Kmama´s last blog ..MEme Monday: License and Registration Please =-.

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18 Jaden February 3, 2010 at 9:55 am

*sniff*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILY!
.-= Jaden´s last blog ..Your First Movie Theater Experience =-.

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19 Mary @ Holy Mackerel February 3, 2010 at 9:37 am

Wonderful post, and great tribute to an obviously amazing child! Happy Birthday, Lily!!

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20 angie February 3, 2010 at 10:45 am

Honestly brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful, beautiful tribute to Lily (and her brothers). Happy Birthday to your perfect daughter!
.-= angie´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday-Privacy:At Long Last =-.

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21 dawn February 3, 2010 at 11:41 am

momma! you always make me cry girl. I wish I had a mom like you–you are the best woman.
.-= dawn´s last blog ..greek nachos =-.

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22 Suzy Voices February 3, 2010 at 11:56 am

Happy Birthday Lily!! Great post, Dad!!!
.-= Suzy Voices´s last blog ..Training Montage =-.

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23 Shalvika Sood February 3, 2010 at 12:00 pm

What a beautiful post! Happy Birthday to Lily and congratulations to you guys for doing such a wonderful job.

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24 NYC Girl February 3, 2010 at 12:01 pm

What a sweet sweet post!

Happy Birthday Lily!
.-= NYC Girl´s last blog ..Please Stop…Does Anyone Else Feel This Way? =-.

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25 Jennifer February 3, 2010 at 12:05 pm

That is so sweet. If my husband could put his feelings into words I bet that is the same thing he would say about our Baby Girl.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..My family is accident prone =-.

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26 jess February 3, 2010 at 12:14 pm

She really is spectacular. Not only are we blessed to know her, but she is blessed to have you two as parents.

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27 Christine February 3, 2010 at 12:17 pm

Soooooo sweet…really! Happy B-day Lilly…PS: I love your name! :o)

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28 jenie=) February 3, 2010 at 12:21 pm

that’s sooooo sweet!

makes me wanna cry my li’l girl dont have a dad like you =(
remember me? it’s been a while friend. hope you’ll visit again ;)
.-= jenie=)´s last blog ..I MISS THE DAYS… =-.

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29 MamaOtwins+1 February 3, 2010 at 12:25 pm

Such a sweet post – and now I want a daughter!
.-= MamaOtwins+1´s last blog ..We got our SNOW!!! =-.

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30 Jack February 3, 2010 at 12:33 pm

Very Sweet. Happy birthday.

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31 TheKitchenWitch February 3, 2010 at 12:51 pm

Happy Birthday, beautiful, big-hearted Lily.
.-= TheKitchenWitch´s last blog ..Guest Post: TKW’s Dad Attempts a Recipe =-.

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32 Belle February 3, 2010 at 11:53 am

Happy Birthday to your beautiful Lily :)
.-= Belle´s last blog ..More dish towels for the collection – Wordless Wednesday #21 =-.

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33 Jen @ buried with children February 3, 2010 at 12:58 pm

She is so going to treasure this someday. I would kill for a letter like this from my Dad.

Happy Birthday, Lily. You are so loved.
.-= Jen @ buried with children´s last blog ..Got Oatmeal? =-.

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34 amber February 3, 2010 at 1:01 pm

Beautiful post. Happy Birthday to the beautiful Lily.
.-= amber´s last blog ..Top Ten Ways to Procrastinate. =-.

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35 jayme February 3, 2010 at 12:06 pm

That was beautiful! I wish my hubs could say something like that! I am sure that he thinks it…but he is not so good with words!
.-= jayme´s last blog ..JoBros FAIL =-.

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36 Cybil February 3, 2010 at 1:20 pm

Happy Birthday Lily! What a beautiful post for her today!
.-= Cybil´s last blog ..Manic Monday =-.

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37 Mrs Soup February 3, 2010 at 1:22 pm

Happy Birthday Princess!

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38 Sara February 3, 2010 at 2:06 pm

Aw Happy Birthday Lily!
(I LOVE to read Daddies gushing about their baby girls!)
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Just Keep Swimming =-.

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39 Krystyn February 3, 2010 at 2:07 pm

Awwww….what a sweet letter. I’m sure she will love looking back on it one day.
.-= Krystyn´s last blog ..Community Coffee Review and Giveaway-Valentine’s Gift Guide =-.

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40 Stephaine @ Geezees February 3, 2010 at 3:06 pm

Way to make me cry…no seriously that was a beautiful post…i just loved her Daddy said about her.
Happy Birthday Lily!!
.-= Stephaine @ Geezees´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday, You Capture Theme " FACES" =-.

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41 Cara February 3, 2010 at 3:12 pm

That was the most wonderful tribute to a daughter by a daddy! So well done, Jeff.

Happy Birthday, Lily! (a day late, sorry!)
.-= Cara´s last blog ..Running Man* =-.

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42 Live.Love.Eat February 3, 2010 at 3:28 pm

Wow, this was absolutely beautiful! Happy Birthday Lily!
.-= Live.Love.Eat´s last blog ..Soup’s On: Asian Seafood Soup =-.

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43 Allison February 3, 2010 at 3:58 pm

What a sweet letter. And a beautiful little girl!
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Pomegranate BBQ Sauce (Featuring POM Wonderful) =-.

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44 Loukia February 3, 2010 at 4:51 pm

Happy Birthday to your beautiful girl, Lily! Both of these pictures are simply gorgeous, Jill, and I loved reading your husband’s post to her. Happy celebrating!
.-= Loukia´s last blog ..Three: An anniversary, of sorts =-.

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45 Casey February 3, 2010 at 5:03 pm

Hapy birthday to Lily! This letter from her daddy is such an awesome gift. She will cherish these words forever.

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46 Peaches February 3, 2010 at 5:05 pm

Stunning post. (wiping tears)
.-= Peaches´s last blog ..The Big Give. =-.

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47 Mayhem and Moxie February 3, 2010 at 5:42 pm

Hold the mother freaking phone. Jeff wrote this? Jeff who answers the phone with, “Dominoes Pizza”, when I call? I know I’ve said it before, but his talent is totally wasted on his day job.

This post is so, so lovely. (Kinda like seeing the softer side of Sears for the first time.)

You made seriously made me tear up with your words. Know that my birthday is March 19 and I will be expecting nothing short of poetry.
.-= Mayhem and Moxie´s last blog ..ASK A DAD =-.

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48 helen February 3, 2010 at 7:09 pm

Aww, that was so sweet. Happy Birthday Lily!!

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49 Marilyn February 3, 2010 at 7:36 pm

I love reading love letters from a Dad to his child. There’s something extra sweet it.
.-= Marilyn´s last blog ..No One Told Me How to Handle This =-.

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50 Jayde February 3, 2010 at 8:19 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! That is a super sweet post!
.-= Jayde´s last blog ..Giveaway Winners =-.

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51 Kel - rewritingkel February 3, 2010 at 8:50 pm

Happy Birthday to your beautiful little girl. :)
.-= Kel – rewritingkel´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Alex! =-.

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52 nic @mybottlesup February 3, 2010 at 8:51 pm

*cue tears* daddy/daughter relationships are priceless and beautiful gifts. thank you for sharing this jill, and thank your hub-bub as well. absolutely gorgeous.
.-= nic @mybottlesup´s last blog ..Old Rasputin XII Russian Imperial Stout =-.

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53 Pres. Kathy February 3, 2010 at 9:49 pm

Happy Birthday!
.-= Pres. Kathy´s last blog ..My Little Comedian =-.

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54 Michaela February 3, 2010 at 10:54 pm

What a sweet post! Happy Birthday!
.-= Michaela´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Keeping busy =-.

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55 Tickled Pink Twice February 3, 2010 at 11:36 pm

Beautiful. Photos and the letter!
.-= Tickled Pink Twice´s last blog ..Date Night Recap: Photo Style =-.

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56 Sophia's Mom February 3, 2010 at 10:57 pm

Lily is seriously cute!
And Jeff made me cry. Damn you, Jeff!

Happy Birthday Lily!
.-= Sophia’s Mom´s last blog ..My Ikea Dream Home =-.

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57 Rachael February 4, 2010 at 12:36 am

What a sweet message from Dad to daughter! Happy Birthday to your little girl!

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58 Jennifer June February 4, 2010 at 9:40 am

She’s beautiful.
When my daughter’s taunt each other and call each other accidents, I remind them that they weren’t accidents so much as surprises. ;)
.-= Jennifer June´s last blog ..Minus the drug lords and the death threats that is… =-.

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59 MommyTime February 4, 2010 at 10:34 am

What a beautiful post. And a lovely girl. Happy Birthday, Lily!
.-= MommyTime´s last blog ..How to Drive Your Mama Crazy in One Easy Step =-.

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60 court February 4, 2010 at 12:31 pm

Ahhhh, Happy Birthday, Lily.

What a beautiful little girl!

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61 Becky @TheRealBecks February 4, 2010 at 12:47 pm

how beautifully written :) happy birthday lily!
.-= Becky @TheRealBecks´s last blog ..Twitter advice =-.

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62 Mama Kat February 4, 2010 at 6:08 pm

Okay and so now I love Jeff.

Seriously! Any man who can write like that about his little girl will send me into a swooning mess of a mini van driving mama. That was SO nice…and of course I can really relate because Maile turned six earlier this year and as the leader of my little pack she shares many of those same qualities! This was really sweet.
.-= Mama Kat´s last blog ..Writer’s Workshop: Open Letter To Grumpy Bear =-.

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63 The Wifey February 4, 2010 at 11:23 pm

What beautiful pictures! And happy birthday to your sweetheart!
.-= The Wifey´s last blog ..It’s Funny Until Somebody Gets Hurt… =-.

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64 scrappysue February 4, 2010 at 11:45 pm

happy birthday lily! what a gorgeous girl
.-= scrappysue´s last blog ..wordful wednesday: first day =-.

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65 Shannon February 5, 2010 at 2:59 pm

I hope Lily had a great birthday!

And me? Am totally tearing up from Jeff’s post.
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Is it March yet? =-.

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66 Lolli February 5, 2010 at 3:53 pm

What a beautiful post! I love that you had Jeff write about Lily. There is something so special about the relationship between little girls and their daddys.
.-= Lolli´s last blog ..Give Me Your Best Shot – PRC =-.

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67 Karen MEG February 5, 2010 at 7:00 pm

Gorgeous! Happy birthday to your beautiful girl!
.-= Karen MEG´s last blog ..Postcards from the minivan and other fragments =-.

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68 Loralee February 5, 2010 at 6:51 pm

Something about daddy bloggers posting makes me uber happy. I loved this. (And I utterly understand.)
.-= Loralee´s last blog .. =-.

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69 Loralee February 5, 2010 at 6:55 pm

Um. Yeah. Sorry about that comment luv thing.

BLUSH.

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70 Kathleen February 5, 2010 at 9:35 pm

Happy Birthday Lily! What a gorgeous little girl. Hope you all had a lovely day together.
.-= Kathleen´s last blog ..Homemade Valentines: An Artistic Collaboration with a Toddler =-.

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71 Anastasia February 5, 2010 at 9:58 pm

Happy Birthday to your baby girl!

I always thought I would have a girl but that wasn’t in the cards for me. I love having boys but there is a part of me that becomes sad when I read beautiful posts like yours.
.-= Anastasia´s last blog ..Her Morning Elegance/Oran Lavie =-.

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72 Aidan Donnelley Rowley @ Ivy League Insecurities February 5, 2010 at 11:19 pm

A gorgeous tribute from daddy to daughter. Stuffed with affection and admiration. I have a feeling that your sweet girl and your man – all of you – will look back on these words many times going forward. Thank you for sharing this.

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73 Sara -- The Football Wife February 6, 2010 at 9:52 am

Lily is beautiful! Thanks to those beautiful words, I am crying before I’ve even had a cup of coffee! Happy Birthday!
.-= Sara — The Football Wife´s last blog ..Just Call Me Mary Moon =-.

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