To my THREE year old!...

 Happy 3rd Birthday!

One year ago

My three year old!

I love-

-all the emotions you are able to express. you tell us when you are sad, mad, happy, excited.

-your logic and memory. I can now ask you "why" and you will tell me.

-your excuses for not wanting to go to bed. "I'm sad I need a hug" and "My hair is in my eyes" are the most clever ones I can think of.

-how you will do chores. At only 3 years old you feed Shadow, get yourself dressed and brush you teeth, along with most other pick up tasks I ask for your help with.

-your sweet hugs and kisses, and smile. You know just how to turn on the charm.

-How deeply you love. I see the difference in how you feel for me, and your dad, and your grandmas and grandpas and cousins but the one thing that is the same is how deep that emotion runs. You really appreciate all of us for different reasons and at different times.

-the example you set for you brother. You love to play with him but you take your role as big sister very seriously and love to teach him what to do and how to be.

-how coordinated you are becoming. Those long legs can trip you up sometimes, but watching you at gymnastics where you can really put your coordination and fearlessness to the test, you are a total natural.

-hearing you start to sing along or seeing you dance along to songs on the radio. It is absolutely adorable. I hope you always get that much enjoyment out of music.

-how smart you are. Maybe I'm a little biased but I don't think I know any other kid that at 2 years old, could spell their name and recognize the letters, sing ABC's and count past 10, and understand time frames (now, later, yesterday, tomorrow etc).

-how little you have tantrums. There have been phases of throwing fits (a new baby in the house while potty training and moving into a big girl bed was an especially difficult time) But we are in a really good space right now where usually when someone asks you to do something you just say OK and do it. It really is amazing.

-watching you and your daddy. Still a daddy's girl. And although I am totally jealous at times, when you just need some love or nurturing, I know whose lap you'll be climbing into, your just such a tough girl, it's not very often.

-you are so polite and thoughtful. You ask to do or get something, you say a lot of "thank you'"s and "please"s, you help to carry things without asking, you just love to help in general, if you make a mess you are usually happy to clean it up.

-watching your skills develop: swimming, gymnastics, climbing, and riding a bike are current faves.

-Seeing bits of me and your daddy's personality already. It's like a reflection of mini me when I see how shy you are when first walking into a new situation and then moments later, it's like everyone is your best friend, and when you say something sassy or when you are trying to be a jokester, I completely see your daddy.



Kiley Sue-

Another year down and so many changes that I couldn't remember all of the amazing things we have witnessed from you if I tried. Our family has been through a lot this year and the joy that was our constant and that, at times, held us all together was you. Whenever I was sad, or stressed, or tired I looked at you and was reminded how lucky I am. I look at you when I am happy or content and realize how much of that is because of you. You make me laugh more and love deeper than I ever thought was possible and the bigger you get the bigger my heart gets too.

Love you forever,
Mommy