It is hard to believe that tomorrow morning Nadia will be four years old! I was thinking about the end of my pregnancy and that long wait to go into labor as Nadia was born 10 days after my due date. I spent that last week of the pregnancy/ first week of maternity leave cleaning the house, making freezer meals, I baked a birthday cake, watched TV, did so many neighborhood walks, etc. As I was cleaning up for Nadia’s birthday party tomorrow, I did think to myself “I doubt the house has EVER been as clean as it was the day she was born!”
Yes, our house is messier, but also so much more colorful with you in our lives! Our walls are decorated with your artwork– lately you have been on a kick where you draw me a picture every morning when you arrive at preschool. You love to draw and paint– I have a feeling that will be a life-long interest.
You also DEVOUR books! This past week we started our first couple of chapter book series because you asked to read a book that you can’t “finish in one night.” The first “Mercy Watson” story was very cute and I’m looking forward to reading more of “Harriet’s Hare.” Most weeks one of your favorite outings is going to the library to get new books.
We finally conceded that we don’t need to be a completely screen-free family, and you have graduated from wanting to watch Sesame Street to watching your new favorite– Peppa Pig. You love to say some of Peppa’s British expressions, and it is very cute. You also love to watch Bluey and we often listen to the soundtrack in the car!
In many ways you seem like an old soul– lately if we are driving together, you will ask me to play one of your favorite songs: “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie or “Down to the River to Pray” by Alison Krauss. It sure is have having someone around who not only looks like me but likes the same music!
You still would rather observe for a long time in new situations, although thankfully now a lot of the world isn’t so new to you anymore! You used to spend the first 45 minutes of a birthday party clinging to my leg, yet today you saw your friend at the playground and ran up and gave her a big hug and ran off together. It’s been fun to see your friendships develop with your friends from preschool and of course your cousin Eleanor (just a year younger). It seems like playing kitchen or “birthday cake” is a favorite activity.
Of course, I can’t talk about this past year without mentioning that you became a big sister to Beatrix! You have moments where you are annoyed at her for knocking down your trains, blocks, etc. But, more often you are excited to spend time together whether its being pushed together in the stroller for a walk after dinner or asking if you can give Trixie something to eat at dinner. I think you guys are definitely going to have all kinds of fun!
So many of your baby traits are gone– your hair finally grew in this past year, you mostly say words correctly although you still say “yummy bears” instead of gummy bears, and you’re even mostly independent in the bathroom. I’ve gotten used to thinking of you as a “big kid” but it’s comforting to see when you play alongside elementary school-aged kids that I realize you will still be our little girl for many more years!
Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our family!! Our happy camper!!
