You've just had another birthday and now you are three! I've been meditating on all the things that make you you and want to put my thoughts down in writing. It's my hope that when you're older you will read my letters and gain a sense of who you were when you were little. So without further ado:
We've had one crazy year! Mommy in the hospital, an addition to our family, lots of house guests, a trip to Colorado. Throughout the changes and adventures you've remained my little ball of energy and gladness. You are such a bright shining light. And here's why:
Emotionally, you are a lot like your mom, you feel a lot, a lot of the time. You are sad when others are sad, especially when it comes to Eli and me. I'm going to tell you right now, feeling so much is hard! Your emotions can change at a drop of a hat and people will wonder why, but kiddo, without feelings what is this life? Be true to this two and three year old you that feels so much and don't change! I love all the ups and downs you bring our family!
This year when we brought home your little brother you were a little weary of him, but you were gentle. In fact, the first time you met him you touched him with just one finger. Once you realized he was here to stay, you decided that you didn't need to be as soft and you decided you needed a little more attention. I remember being upstairs getting dressed when I heard a bang then Eli scream, but the scream was muted, so I ran down as fast as I could to find that you had tipped him out of his bouncy chair (he was now on the floor) and taken his place! Still, when you hurt Eli, whether on accident or on purpose, it genuinely scares you and many times I end up comforting you long after Eli is done crying.
You often call Eli "your baby." When I'm having a rough time you've been known to say "don't worry, I'll take care of you, my princess." You are true to your family. I think your greatest fear is being left behind or being trapped. You never want to be without us, which is sweet. Also, if I forget to include one of the family members in say, pat-a-cake, you'll make sure to correct me and tell me who I forgot! "No, Mommy, put it in the oven for Daddy, too!"
At the beginning of your year, you amazed everyone by memorizing several 50 or so page books about cars, trucks, planes, tractors, etc. Your little mind is sharp. Partly due to your age, but partly, I think, because you are you, you absorb everything. Your vocabulary is much, much more advanced than your peers. At 2.5 you were saying sentences like "I'd prefer the transportation place mat, please, Mommy," and "May I, can I have the cow's milk, please."
You love to watch shows. Now, we don't have cable or TV channels currently, but we rent movies for you from the library. Your favorites are Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder. In fact, you had a Bob the Builder cake for your birthday. With the arrival of your brother I seem to find myself putting you in front of the tube more than I like, but in some ways, it's so much sweeter when we get time together just the two of us. You like me to read to you, or let you fix me, sometimes with a hammer, sometimes I just need a shot. We play games, sometimes you just love a good cuddle, "Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle," you'll say.
Speaking of cuddle, in September you climbed up the air conditioning fan, fell off onto the cement and broke your arm. For our first trip to urgent care you were diagnosed with a nurse maids elbow. Then two days later, when you aren't getting better and only want to cuddle, we go back to the doctor to discover you have a fracture in your humerus, I wasn't laughing! It took 8 HOURS to get everything sorted and a yellow cast on your arm! When it was time to have the cast taken off you were so brave, even more so than some of the older kids at the hospital! But then you missed having it and still told complete strangers about your ordeal and about your yellow, then orange cast!
You've always been musical, but this year you were able to start memorizing the tunes and words to songs. You and I have been know to sing duets to Eli. I love it! Your voice is precious and when you sing it makes everyone in the room smile. You started a one day a week preschool program this year and it seems you love singing time, followed by art time, and of course outside time! Oh, and the dancing. You received a keyboard for your 2nd birthday and you love to put it on disco mode and run circles around the couch! You'll run and run and run! You've recently started spinning, too. You'll spin until you fall down. Sometimes at restaurants we'll ask you to sit down, to which you'll reply "I'm just dancing!" It's hard to resist your charm!
You don't have a favorite color, the other day it was pink in fact, but it's always changing. You like to eat food some of the time, particularly french fries, chicken nuggets, barbecue sauce and ketchup, and any kind of fruit. But, you only like to eat some of the time.
You're mostly sweet and always cute. You are my angel and I love you so much! Happy birthday my dear!
XOXO,
Mom
