Happy 3rd Birthday. Sweet Girl

 

 

Sweet Girl,

Tonight I am going to put you to bed as a 2 year old.  When you wake up (I’m guessing at about 3:30am, and again at 6:30am), you will officially be a 3 year old.  Man, just when you got the hang of admitting you were 2, and not 15 when people asked, you’ve got another age to remember!

This birthday stuff doesn’t mean much to you, other than you want everyone to sing to you.  But hey, that’s nothing new.  Who doesn’t like being serenaded, am I right?

 

You are a firecracker.  Over the past 3 years, your dad has worn out the term “she broke the mold”. 

You really did, baby girl.  You are SO different than your brother and sister, and that’s okay!  You are so much more independent than your older siblings were at your age.  I attribute that to you knowing they are there for you, and trusting that you can always fall back on them.

Being your momma is 97% pure joy, and 3% challenging.  Nap time, bed time, and bath time make up that 3%.  You just like to do things on your own schedule; I’m the same way.  I thought I had the ‘mother of a toddler’ role down, until you taught me otherwise.  You’re clever!

Oh sweetie, I’m just giving you a hard time. I so admire you and appreciate your high energy and spunk.

Your favorite color is purple; I’m sure because you and your daddy are BIG Minnesota Vikings fans.

You love raisins in every form.  When you eat a bowl of raisin bran, you pick out the raisins with your tiny little fingers, drink the milk, and hand me a bowl of soggy bran flakes. every.single.time.

You ask for apple sauce about a hundred or so times a week.   You prefer apple sauce pouches, or a bowl of apple sauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.  I like it that way too. 

 

I joke that SUGAR is your Love Language.  If it is, your grandpa Phil has got to be your favorite, because he spoils you with cupcakes and Tropical Sno every Thursday through the summer. 

When I asked you what you wanted to be when you grow up, you replied “A Grown-up with healthy bones!”  It was cute, but I quickly began to tear up, thinking of your sweet little heart and how hard it has to work to keep up with your heart defect.  I am so thankful for each day we get with you, and I have no doubt you will live to be 100! 

 You tell total strangers that you are going to go to Heaven when you die.  You are excited to meet Jesus.  For the past two weeks you’ve been excitedly asking “Is Jesus coming soon?”  I’ll be honest, that freaks me out, but I am SO glad that you know Jesus and have a passion to meet Him!  I think the world of your curiosity and through you I have finally understood the term “faith like a child”.  You believe with all your heart and that is truly beautiful.   

Everyone raves about your blonde curls.  I am still learning how to brush your hair and style it so you don’t look like a clown.  I’m sorry.  When you are older and look back at your childhood pictures, just know that I tried, okay?  You insist on wearing a bow, but often pull it out when we get in the van, so it’s not totally my fault, right?

Your big brother loves to read to you, and you LOVE being read to.  You want to “do school” like the big kids and have really began to sit well at the table and soak up so much information that we’re talking about.  I am certainly you’ll be ready for some official preschool lessons very soon!

Your big sister has a blast dressing you up in elaborate layers and accessorizing your outfits.  She is The Fashionista, and she’s training you well!  She loves putting pretty things in your hair, and even putting lip balm on your lips!  You have her wrapped around your finger!  You love when you get to hang out in her room and play with her girly Legos.

 

I am proud of the spunky girl that you are, because you remind me so much of ME!  You stand up for yourself, you pave your own path, and you are fierce!  You light up a room with your charm and bright blue eyes.  YOU are happy, you are healthy, you are loved. 

You’ve got it all, girl.

Love,

Momma