And we were worried you'd never talk....

So this hasn't been your best few weeks. You've had A LOT of trouble sleeping and that, in turn, has made you a bit....fussy. But since you are also a very verbal child you have a way with words when describing what's bothering you.

Last night you woke up - for the 2nd time in 3 hours - and I went downstairs to see what was wrong, comfort you, and ultimately fall asleep in your bed (this has become my routine lately - it goes against all pediatricians' and child psychologists' advice, but they aren't awake at 3 a.m. for the 2nd time in one night). (Oh - and did I mention I had the stomach flu last night? I just wanted to make sure you know how much I love you. So much so that I would rather come comfort you in your distress than try to rest and feel better myself). Ok - on with the story: so I got to your room, crawled into your bed, and asked you what was wrong. Usually you say you had a bad dream, or you were scared. But not last night. Last night your response was - through sobs - "I am having a rough night." I couldn't have explained it better myself. And I'm not 3.

Usually the morning that follows these "rough nights" is a slow-moving, pouty little Hads. And lately when we ask you why you're so slow and pouty, you respond "I woke up on the wrong bed." Clearly paraphrasing something you've heard us say - but how funny if we took you literally.....

iloveyoumadly.
mama

The Rise of the Big Sister

I know I have mentioned this before, but you are the best big sister EVER! Man oh man how you love your little sister - and in case you don't know this yet, you are quite possibly her favorite person the planet. For starters, you can't stand it when she's upset. You do everything you can to help her: give her your toys (even Peef!), ask us if she needs a snack - you name it. But you also have learned that sometimes Berit just gets "fussy" as you say. One of the funniest things you've picked up on from us - after all other things have been tried - is to just ignore her/listen to her complain (which in all honesty doesn't last very long). For example: the other day we were in the car on the way home from school and Berit was just annoyed that she was stuck in her seat. She throws her toy on the floor and instantly starts yelling because she isn't holding it anymore - this is a common occurrence. You looked at her, and in a very calm voice say, "That was your choice Berit." I almost died. It was hysterical. And of course I couldn't laugh.....

Along with this increased level of big-sister'ness has come your ability to be our little helper. It is so wonderful! You help put the dishes away, you help put your laundry away, you pick up your toys, and you LOVE to help your daddy outside! This past weekend we bought some plants and shrubs, and daddy decided he wanted to build out the garden boxes. You spent hours with him in the yard helping to hold spikes in place, use your little shovel to help dig dirt, and generally just entertain him while he worked. You've always enjoyed working outside with him - even back when you could barely walk. It's something he cherishes and I know he has his sights set on your taking over some of these responsibilities one day..... :-)

You've been asking about getting a puppy lately. I am not totally sure where this comes from - probably school. I know you're learning about pets this week - but it started before this. Daddy and I have decided that Berit has to AT LEAST be in Kindergarten before we'll even consider it. We would love a dog, but wow - I just don't know how people do it with little ones around..... Anyway - because this is pet week at school, Katie is taking you guys to PetSmart on a little field trip today. I suppose in an effort to educate on all sorts of different animals people have as pets. She mentioned being excited about the hermit crabs.... So help me GAWD if you come home with a gerbil.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

There's No Room for You.....

So we were in the car yesterday on the way to school and you were telling me how daddy had asked if you wanted to have a slumber party in the backyard soon. Let me lay out here EXACTLY how our conversation went:

ME: "I think we're going to have an Easter Egg hunt in the backyard this weekend."

YOU: "After we sleep in the garden?"

ME: "I am not sure it's warm enough to sleep outside yet."

YOU: "That's OK.......(your face squishes up) I don't think there's room for you mommy."

ME: "Oh."

YOU: "But Berit can come!" (all excited and smiling)


For real?

iloveyoumadly.
mama

I said.

My sweet little Hads. Oh what a kid you’re becoming. Everyone said 3 would be harder than 2 – I didn’t believe them.

I do now.

Daddy was in China the past few weeks. He came back this weekend and BOY OH BOY! are you happy he’s home! We made it through his trip – and pretty successfully – but I think we’re all glad to be a complete family again. Here are some highlights from while he was away:

-you had frequent nightmares and woke up terrified, crying for me.

-one morning you decided “ENOUGH!” with the whole sleep thing, and woke me up at 5:50 a.m. by standing next to my bead saying, “Hi mommy. I am done sleeping now.” Scared me to death! (Keep in mind that most mornings I need to drag you out of bed at 7 a.m….)

-you peed in the playroom closet. For real. How did I discover this, you ask? You came upstairs with a huge smile on your face and said, “I peed everywhere.” And you did mean everywhere. Through 4 sleeping bags, onto 2 suitcases and it spilled from there onto the carpet. I had no idea a 3 year old could hold so much pee.

-But the topper? You and I both got the stomach flu. It’s hard enough to keep it together when your baby girl is throwing up every 30 minutes for 12 hours straight – but to do that AND try to make it to the bathroom yourself is near impossible. Somehow we survived, and seemed to keep it from your baby sister. (Typing that all makes me truly wonder how I survived those 24 hours….)

One of your latest and greatest comes in the forms of vocab. In all of your “three-ness” you have really started to use declarations when talking about anything! I think you’re starting to discover your bossy side. :-) You love to end these kind of sentences with “…I said.” For example: “I don’t like tofu today, I said.” It’s quite funny. Especially because you’re so serious when you say it. You also use this phrase when reading outloud to your sister (which has become one of your favorite activities). You hold up the book, like your teachers do during circle time, and read to the pictures. Ending almost every page with”…I said.”

Now that your daddy is home, you’ve become very worried that he is leaving again. As hard as it is to deal with the crying and the clinginess that has come from this fear, it is also very endearing that you love him so much. 3 is a bit harder than 2 – but not necessarily because you’re more difficult. It’s mostly just because you’re more intelligent and all our previous distraction techniques no longer work on all your brilliance.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Judgy McJudgerton

Apparently you have become very judgmental of others' appearances....mainly, your mother's. We were in the car this morning and in the rearview mirror I saw you squish up your face like something was bothering you, so I asked what was up. Your reply? "Your hair is really messy mommy."

Awesome.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

The Sweetest Thing....

We had a rough night last night. You aren't feeling 100% - you have a nasty cough and a really sore throat. Last night you just didn't feel like being alone. So I ended up sleeping with you for a good portion of the night. I should put "sleeping" in quotations. I didn't do much of it.

So we get up this morning - I barely made it through the basics of getting ready: washed my hair but didn't style it, threw on jeans, a long-sleeved T and a pair of boots, a little lip gloss and called it good. By no means did I feel beautiful.

We were all getting our coats on, rushing to get out the door, when you reached your arms up and asked for another hug. I obliged - of course! - because there's nothing better than one of your hugs. And just as I was pulling away from you, you put your hands on my face, looked me in the eyes and said, "You're so pretty."

You made my decade.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!

You're THREE!!!! Or as you like to say it, "FREEE". We're both right. :-)

We had such a fun weekend. Saturday was your fairy party. It was magical. We invited just a few of your closest girlfriends, and of course baby Bodhi. The girls all dressed up as fairies - wings, wands and all - and Bodhi came as a Super Hero. It was wonderful! You were all so precious and well-behaved. Daddy and I spent the night before making stars for the "Pin the Star on Tinks Wand" game, organizing stickers for the cup decorating and pre-making the Fairy Punch. You guys didn't want or need any of it. You were all so content to just play in your playroom, eat your lunch and of course, the cake and ice cream! We moved your little art table into the dining room so you could all sit together. It was fantastic. You wore yourself out so much that you were asking for Daddy to take you to nap before Neva Diva even had her coat on!

You've really take this big sister role to new heights over the past few months. I think it has something to do with the fact that Berit is so in love with you! She reaches out to hug and kiss you the second you get within arm's reach. You are always willing to share your most prized-possessions....specifically, anything related to your baby dolls. On that subject......we decided to take you shopping for your birthday to let you pick something out. We went to Grand Rabbits. On the way there, we asked if you had any ideas about what you wanted. After a few seconds of thinking you replied, "ummmm.....something like a baby doll." (You say this same thing when I ask you want to you want for breakfast...."something like oatmeal." It's so funny.) Anyway - we get to Grand Rabbits and immediately walked to the doll section. There were so many to choose from! After careful deliberation and examination of each of the dolls and accompanying gadgets (potty seats, bottles, pacifiers, etc.) you settled on a nice-sized baby that came with a diaper, bottle and pacifier. You promptly named her Becca. Precious.

You crawled up the stairs yesterday morning, realized that none of us were out of bed yet, and walked into our room (this is a new development for you - getting out of bed on your own and walking upstairs). When you crawled into our bed, Daddy and I started singing "Happy Birthday" to you. You had the funniest look on your face throughout the entire song...and then when we were done you said, "Guys, it's not my birthday. There's no cake."

Apparently cake is all you need to make your birthday spectacular.

iloveyoumadly.
mama