This is the first time we celebrated your birthday and you actually know what’s going on! You have been talking about turning three for weeks and can show me three fingers on your little hand in preparation. We celebrated your actual birthday afterschool with a swim at the pool, eating pizza, opening gifts, face-timing with Grandma, and sprinkle cookies. Then, on Saturday we had a birthday party at the house with painting pumpkins and your favorite– DONUTS! You were a little nervous about having a party on Saturday, but ended up having a blast! It was nice to see you have fun playing with friends and family. Then, today we took you to the pumpkin patch for a hayride, visiting animals, and jumping on the inflatables. Phew, I’m tired from all those celebrations!
When I think about how much you grew this year, I am blown away! You really don’t look like a baby anymore—your blonde hair has finally grown in and you have a bob of wavy curls. We usually let you pick how many ponytails to wear, but some days you would rather wear your hair done with your signature 2-3 headbands.
One of your favorite books is “All by Myself” by Mercer Mayer and truly I am amazed by the things you can do by yourself. After we went grocery shopping last weekend I was unloading bags from the car, and without any instruction you pushed your step stool up to the pantry so you could put some things away. I noticed you put the cottage cheese next to the canned goods, but honestly you found the “right home” for most things. Soon enough, you will be correcting dad, explaining where things belong.
There’s lots of things you like to do at home, but your favorite games involve playing with your dolls and stuffed animals. You love to act out scenes of changing diapers, teaching babies to learn to walk, and putting friends to sleep at naptime. I think you’re ready for the responsibility of being a big sister in less than two months!
You are creative and like to draw, paint, and glue things together. Dad will often sit with you and help you draw your favorite characters from Sesame Street. Usually you prefer to hold the marker with your left hand, so I think you will probably be a leftie!
We are blown away by all the things you know how to say. This morning you said it was “wonderful” that I removed the stain from your yellow blanky. I didn’t realize you knew that word. You are also starting to learn a few words I wish you didn’t know. The other day you heard me say “Jesus Christ!” after I hurt myself in the kitchen. You quickly realized that must be a good thing to say when you feel frustrated and now you occasionally say “J C” too. We keep telling you that I made a mistake and that it’s not a kind to say, but you’re not convinced yet!
Just when I worried you would never begin to poop in the potty, at the end of the summer, you decided it might not be so bad. After months of saying “Maybe next time” or “You’ll be so proud of yourself when you go in the potty,” you often will run to us to say “I pooped in the potty. You’re proud of me.” And we are Nadia, we are so proud of you.
Probably one of the sweetest things about you is your constant ask for someone to “sleep with me.” You just love to snuggle next to someone, and honestly if I’m in the right mood- I love it too. You might not be the baby in our family much longer, but part of you will always be my baby. I’m so grateful you gave me the gift of becoming a mom. We love you so much. I can’t wait to see all the fun adventures we will have this year!