You're growing, you're changing and you are so, so, so much fun. You're emotional, very. Your highs are high and your lows are low, that's what daddy and I always say, and we love that about you. There is nothing else quite like your excitement or genuine appreciation for something as simple as a Tic-Tac. You truly love the small things and make the most expressive faces. We never wonder how you're feeling because you always let us know. Your laughter is music in our home and it always will be. You love to jump onto and off of things you shouldn't. Your favorite game is playing chase and you'll ask anyone and everyone to play it with you, although you never like to do the chasing. You play in your kitchen and with your baby dolls more than anything else and that was the same for you last year too. You've learned to put on your own shoes and to get yourself dressed. You go potty and brush your teeth independently but aren't afraid to ask for our help when you need it. In a matter of a few weeks you became obsessed with going under water in the pool. You wanted to watch other kids do it, you would beg them too. You wanted to watch movies and read books of people going under water or jumping in pools. After our annual week at the beach, you were doing it yourself. You were so excited and so proud. I think that little obsession that gave you the courage to do it yourself is one of my favorite memories of this year. It revealed to me how much your mind is at work, how you are beginning to process things and conquer fears. Disciplining you has become easier for both of us as our roles are established. When you get in trouble for something, you do best when given an explanation of how to avoid that consequence the next time. You're already a problem solver.
When I reflect on this past year, it's been big one for you. We moved houses, you moved to a big girl bed, you started pre-school and we welcomed Adley, all just two months after your second birthday. That was a lot of change but you adapted so well. We dealt with tears at school and a jack-n-the box little girl for a run of bedtimes, but I never imagined all of those transitions would go so smoothly.
We've tackled tantrums, sharing and taking turns. We've gained good ground but have conquered none of the above. You are an amazing little girl though and are bursting with joy, sweetness and spirit.
Adley isn't very mobile yet, so she can't quite intrude on your personal space and things, but you are a VERY good big sister. You love her. You really, really do. Much more, much sooner, than I anticipated. You are gentle, kind and thoughtful toward her. You are sensitive to her feelings and understanding when I have to meet her needs first.
You're a petite 28 pounds. From birth you've lingered in sizes and worn out clothes and shoes before outgrowing them. Even though you're petite, you still have these little dimples over your knuckles. I like that you still have them and I'll be sad when there gone. Your skin is still so incredibly soft and you love to be softly tickled and to softly tickle us back too. Your a bear to get to eat anything you don't want to and I have a feeling we'll be working on that for awhile. You finally like to cuddle and curl up in our laps for your 3 books at night. You like to roar like a lion, a lot. One of my favorite words you say incorrectly but I don't want to correct is "loosedend" when you say you don't want something to get lost.
I want to make a little note of "a day in the life" of us right now.
You woke up around 8:30 am and you were so upset that grandma wasn't still here (she visited the last couple of days). You ate oatmeal pancakes and "helped" with laundry during Adley's morning nap. We packed a lunch and went to the splash park before coming home for afternoon naps. You made a "new best friend" there and loved playing with the big kids. You managed to sweet talk them into a few games of chase but would not let them take toys from your sister. After nap it was raining so I let you put on your suit and play in it with your umbrella. You sang "Rain, Rain Go Away" so loudly as you splashed in the puddles. You played with your "big baby" and stroller before dinner and tonight you stacked one of your little chairs onto your little table and told me you "built a hotel". You sat on "top" of this "hotel", I should mention you were naked because it was right before bath time, and you looked so proud. You went to get up and left me a little "present" behind, you must not have wiped very well after your last trip to the restroom. You and Adley took a bath together, we all played together and after she went to bed you and I played "Hi-Ho Cherry-O". We read books about the weather and the color pink. You said you didn't have anything to pray about so I prayed about you. I laid in bed with you for a little while and you stroked my cheek and ran your fingers through my hair. So often I would love to sleep with you all night, but I kissed your cheek and said goodnight. You walked out a little while ago because your blanket came off and you couldn't get it all the way back on by yourself. There is still so much I have to help you with but things are quickly falling off of that list so I was thankful to tuck you in again. Now I sit and type and you sleep during these last few hours that you are my little 2 year old.
Happy 3rd Birthday Pumpkin Pants!
Your "silly" face
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1 comment:
Beautiful.
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