Dear Elizabeth,
You are three. Three years since you came into our lives and completed our family. It's hard to imagine what life was like before your funny lines, epic tantrums, and ear bursting screams took over our house. My oh my how you have grown this past year! You have gotten stronger, smarter, funnier, and braver. You're favorite thing to do as a family is "take a big hike!" Although, lately you'll only walk a mile before hitching a ride on dad's shoulders.
You're obsessed with shoes. Any and all kinds. Your other passions include: playing mommy, Barbie's, any and all things "Frozen," princesses, Minnie Mouse, being outside, going out to eat, the zoo, and downtown.
Your attitude has grown 110% in the last year. Your tantrums and high pitched screams are unlike anything I've ever experienced. Hats off to you for being able to scare the pants off of adults with your epic tantrums and hats off to me for making it through the terrible two's (although I really didn't think they were that terrible).
You love your daycare friends and ask for them every day--even on the weekends. You've gotten quite funny as your speaking has progressed. My favorite lines you say lately are:
- "Yous" ("I like yous shoes mommy.")
- "Shlumbs" ("I shouldn't suck my shlumbs")
- "Drop the attitude" (you've said this to numerous daycare children, when it's YOU with the tude)
- "Are we going now?" said nearly ever evening, right at bedtime.
In recent weeks, you've became amazing at stalling at bedtime. You wait until we've gotten you into bed and as we go for the door, the game 500 questions begins. "Who be here tomorrow?" "Are you going somewhere?" "Do you need to do laundry?" "Can we go for dinner?" "What do you do when I sleep?" "Are you watching something fun on TV?" "Can we watch "Once Upon A Time" tomorrow?" "Can I get new underwear?"
You got your hair cut for the first time this year. I was tired of the fight every morning to get your hair brushed and out of your face. After an entire week of insufficient brushing and oatmeal stuck in your hair (among other things), I decided enough was enough. I thought both of your grandmothers were going to cry when I had your curls cut off. Turns out your hair just got curlier.
You moved to a big girl bed this year as well. It was an amazingly easy transition and you love your "big bed."
You've kept your "I do it myself!" attitude and that makes me more happy than you'll ever know. More frustrating at times most definitely, but I have no doubt you'll stop at nothing to get what you want in life and do what you want to do.
I can't get over how old you seem lately, but I have to confess: I'm not incredibly sad about it. A part of my heartbreaks when I look back through the year in photos and see how much you (and your brothers) have grown. However the older you get, the easier things have gotten! We're able to take vacations and road trips (two things you LOVE) and all day excursions. You've always been a real trooper with our adventures. I can't help but notice that you're not so much tagging along anymore as you are easily keeping up with us. It's been amazing to witness your bravery and perseverance develop throughout the year.
Thank you Elizabeth Ann for showing me everyday how you view me as a mommy, when you play with your dolls or Barbie's. You take care of them, love them, and plant kisses on them because you've told me that's what I do to you.
Year 3 will be a big one for you: you'll be starting 3 year old preschool in the fall! You've been waiting for this for an entire year now and are beyond excited to start going "to a big school, not daycare." I can't even imagine how much you'll grow and change in the next several months. I feel privileged to have a front row seat for your next stage!
I love you more than the million kisses I supposedly give you everyday (or so you claim). Keep on keeping me on my toes and driving me insane....they make wonderful stories for you to read someday!
Love,
Mom (no longer mommy, just mom)
