Today you are three years old. How is my squishy little baby already three?
(That's your first photo!) The last three years have been the best of my life and they have flown by. You're looking more and more like your handsome daddy every day. Thankfully, you have my dark hair and people always say you look like me, until they see him. And can we just talk about your hair for a minute. It's all the way down your back.
We've never cut it and honestly, I'm not sure when you'll have your first haircut. I'm in no hurry and you love it long too. You sit so sweet and still when I fix it, you've learned how to close your eyes and tip your head back when we shower so I can wash and condition it for you, and you are usually very tolerant of having it brushed. This is never a chore for me. I love the time we get to spend together being girly and doing hair. You love to do mine too. Even if you are mostly just knotting and pulling it, I love it too. About once a week, on the weekend or an evening, I let you pick out whatever you want me to wear and I wear it. You call this dressing me up like a doll and think it's great fun. So do I!
You are a girly girl who loves to wear dresses, tutus, and sparkles. "Twirliness" is an actual criteria we use for choosing your outfits every day. Most outfits require a tiara and wand to be complete. We let you dress yourself - with some guidelines: shoulders covered at school, skirts and dresses are worn with shorts or pants under, and socks and closed toe shoes are required for school. I love seeing your style and the things you pick.
We just converted your crib to a toddler bed and you always want to get in by yourself now. Miss independent. Our bedtime routine has now changed from:
1- brush teeth and use potty
2- jammies on
3- read two books plus goodnight book
4- lights out then hold you and walk/bounce around your room singing twinkle twinkle and abc's
5- lay you in bed, tuck you in, and sing a couple more
To now:
1- brush teeth and use potty
2- jammies on
3- read two books plus goodnight book
4- climb into bed, tuck you in, say goodnight with lots of kisses and snuggles, then say "goodnight, sweet dreams" as we leave your room.
We've recently learned that "safety in numbers" applies to bedtime too. You see, your daddy and I were taking turns doing the bedtime routine. One night we both stayed and did it together and you went to sleep so easy that we decided to do bedtime all together every night. And I have to say, it's the best thing that's happened to bedtime. You seem to have such a sense of peace and contentment when we are both with you that it relaxes you. This was your daddy's realization. He's awesome like that.
You have such a kind spirit and you love to have fun. Swimming is one of your favorite things. As soon as we snap your puddle jumper floaty on, you take off and jump in the pool. You wear a swim cap most of the time so we don't have to wash your hair as often, plus it helps hold your ear plugs in. We use them anytime you might put your head under water to protect you from more ear infections. They are no fun. Thankfully, this past year you only had one, though technically two because it was a double. For year 4, I'm praying for zero!
This past year has been full of big changes for you. Shortly after your second birthday, we stopped nursing. It was so much easier than I anticipated. Next up, you started a new preschool. This was hard for about a week but then you loved it and now I would have it no other way. I'm so glad we made that change. You love your school and get so excited to go see your friends. Then in November, we said goodbye to the cramper and moved home. It was a quick change and the house was a work in progress of epic proportions but it was liveable and we were glad to be home. Even if we had a Spider-Man bedsheet for a bedroom door. We were home.
This past year you've discovered a love for dancing, superheroes, and princesses and your absolute phobia of bugs. Not just bugs. Anything that flies, crawls, or slithers has no place in your world. You come by it honestly. I'm the same way but I've always made a serious effort to not freak out about bugs in front of you. You just can't fight genetics. You had nightmares for a while where you would wake up screaming about a butterfly. You're terrified of butterflies. It's our fault really. We let you watch America's Funniest Home Videos with us and there was a lady who was literally attacked by a (harmless) butterfly. We laughed and talked about how silly it was that the butterfly wanted to be by this lady and she was so scared. Then you went to bed. A few hours later you woke up screaming about a butterfly being on you. Poor baby. It was so sad. And of course we felt awful. But really, all the superhero cartoons, and the butterfly is what scared you? Thankfully we got past that and you've been sleeping soundly for months now. But sweet baby, you're still so scared of butterflies. I bet by the time you read this you will laugh and realize how sweet and fragile they are. At least I hope so.
We had such a great day celebrating you today. We had breakfast at Waffle House with daddy, then some fun at the bounce house with Mimi, lunch with daddy and Mimi and Popi, then no nap and straight to the aviation museum with daddy, and lastly we had an awesome sushi dinner.
You had a ball at every stop but in the car on the way home when I asked you what the best part of the day was you sleepily said "going home". Yes ma'am. I agree. It was such a fun day but going home is always the best! When we got home your daddy and I sang you happy birthday and you got two gummy worms. Don't worry, there will be lots of cake at your actual party on Saturday. Then we let you open a present early and you got way more excited about clothes than I've ever seen a three year old get. You got a super girl tutu swimsuit, a super girl shirt, and "wumber woman" jammies with a tutu skirt. You stripped off your clothes right there standing on the kitchen counter to put on your new jammies. It was awesome. Then we snuggled on the couch and watched a Wonder Woman cartoon all together to celebrate your special day. When we did the bedtime routine we read an extra book too because every part of your birthday should be special.
Mommy and daddy love you more than you could ever know. I'm looking forward to this next year and all of the fun and new adventures that God has in store for our family. Only He knows the plans He has for us. And His plans in His timing are always perfect.
