My feisty girl! At three years old, you are seriously giving Daddy and me a run for our money! You are super independent and will scream in the face of anyone who dares to even THINK about helping you do anything. You go your own way, do your own thing, and anybody better think twice before getting in your way when you have set your mind to do something. You love to draw and color, and I've noticed you have a great imagination. While you're drawing, you talk about what you are creating. Sometimes I see it, sometimes I don't! But you always seem confident- like you know exactly what you're doing. You're always talking up a storm (daddy tells you you're "full o' beans). It seemed to happen all of a sudden- I think you were just waiting until you could pronounce everything perfectly. You don't seem to want to mess with any cute baby babble, for the most part. About two or three months ago you started singing songs pretty much out of nowhere. What a sweet sound to our ears. It was better than the best symphony!! It started with ABCs. I had never really heard you say more than two or three letters in a row, and all of a sudden one night, you just busted out with the entire song perfectly! After that you started singing other songs- some of your favorites are Mary Had a Little Lamb (all of the verses), Farmer and the Dell, Ring Around the Rosey, BINGO was his Name-o, A Tisket-A Tasket, Rock a Bye Baby, Row Row Row your Boat, and many more! Recently you have even started repeating songs you hear on the radio. You catch on so fast and seem to remember everything- I think you are going to have an excellent memory!
And speaking of catching on fast, you have been potty trained for about two months now- YAY! I'm sure you could have done it sooner, had mommy and daddy been a little more consistent about it. You have already filled up your "potty chart" with stickers, and have started adding yours to Nate's (he needs all the help he can get)! Since you go tee-tee on the potty so often now, sometimes we forget to give you your little reward of one or two little smarty candies, but sooner or later you remind us. It could be thirty minutes later and all of a sudden it strikes you, "Oh Mommy, I need candy.. because I forgot candy.. because I FORGOT!!!!"
You are so impatient. Like, more than the average three year old, impatient. I have to say, the fruit didn't fall far from the tree there. I'm so impatient too, that sometimes we get very frustrated with each other! I should be more mature, seeing as I am the grown-up and all, but sometimes I know I'm acting like a three year old too (at least you have an excuse)! I think you test me more than you test daddy, because he stays so calm, he's not as fun to fight with! It's just been difficult for me lately because you're so strong willed. Sometimes I really think it's gonna kill me, it wears me out so badly. But as much as it exhausts me, I'm so grateful and proud that you are feisty and strong willed. I know that if we can channel those things correctly, you are destined for greatness.
You are cautious and observant, but adventurous and fun at the same time! You love jumping in the big swimming pool, and I'm pretty sure you'd jump in all by yourself if we'd let you! You are so smart, every day you amaze me with something new. The things you say, and the way you say them. The things you pick up on- truly amaze me!
Your favorite thing, besides singing and coloring, is playing with your baby dolls. You love to feed them, diaper them, change their clothes, burp them, the whole nine yards! You put them to sleep with a blanket over them, then pick up and repeat the process over and over. Sometimes you sing to them. You definitely have a sweet little motherly instinct! You also love to follow Mommy around and do what I'm doing. You watch carefully when I'm getting ready, putting make up on, etc. You mimic putting on eye make-up with the play make-up I got you for Christmas, and sometimes you like to pretend to put make-up on everyone (watch your eyeballs, people)! You don't get into your movies too much, and I think you could probably do without TV all together. You may sit and watch for a second, but it doesn't keep your attention. You like to play with Nate, SOMETIMES, that is, when YOU want to. If it is not a suitable time for you, or you are not completely in the right mood for it, you will make Nate regret even trying!! Sometimes you forget and break into silliness and laughter for a second, but then remember that he annoys you, and you go back to screaming at him to leave you alone. A couple of weeks ago our air conditioner went out (Texas in July with no AC=not staying at your house), so we stayed the night at Me-Maw's. We were all cozy in the same room, you guys on mattresses on the floor by the bed. Nate was trying to be silly and just talking to himself, like he does when he is falling asleep, but you wouldn't have any of it because you were ready.to.sleep. "Mommy, tell Nate stop talking to me!!" But you love your Bubba, and every night before bed you give him a big smacky kiss night night. You don't like when Mommy or Daddy get on to him, and you are very protective of him. When you are playing together, it is the sweetest sight I've ever seen, and if I could bottle the feeling it gives me to see it, I'd be RICH RICH RICH!
You pretty much eat like a bird these days. You always act like you're starving but when it comes right down to it, you don't want to take the time to eat. You're not nearly as adventurous with food as Nate and you have no problem turning down everything that looks unfamiliar to you. You stick with your favorites- Mac and Cheese, all fruit, peanut butter and jelly, cheese.. and even then, you hardly eat anything at all! You LOVE milk and drink a ton, so I think that fills you up sometimes. After milk, you also like Apple juice and water. Neither you nor Nate have ever expressed any desire to drink soda or chocolate milk, so we haven't given it to you! I'm glad- I'd like to put that off as long as possible! I think you still get PLENTY of sugar!
You are sleeping like a champ, from about 8:30PM until about 7AM. You fuss a little more than Nate about going to bed, and think of about five different reasons every night to delay going to bed. (I need to brush teeth (again), need to go potty (again), need to wipe boogies, truck drove by outside my window, etc). You want to say our prayer by yourself now, and then have me repeat it after you. One of my favorite times with you is sitting with you right before bed time, saying prayers, giving kisses and hugs.. no stress, no screaming, just you and me.. my favorite girl in the whole world. :)
