Birthday Letter: Year three!

 

Dear Ava,

 

Your three years old! As always for your mamma's heart its still hard for me to believe your already that old. I have loved this year in so many new ways as we watched you grow. As I have each year so far I love to reflect and document what's been special for you this year. I do that so I can hold these moments for you these years you won't have clear memories of your own to hold on to just yet but also because I want to treasure them in my heart also. So here we go...

 



 

 

We went on your first big vacation to Florida, staying at a beach house for a week. You loved the pool and sometimes you loved the beach and ocean depending on the size of the waves. Your daddy and I loved all of it! We hope to return at different times as a family to make more memories through your growing up years.

 

 

You met your cousin Adley that will be your closest cousin in age. You have been taken with her since the moment you met her. Every baby doll in our house you have named "Adley". Again playing with your babies is your favorite thing to do, there is usually always one on your hip when we leave the house.

We survived the tripple digit crazy summer heat with lots of pool time and outside water play. I love that you love water as much as me and your daddy.

We cheered you on as you accomplished lots of big time milestones this year. In the fall you said goodbye to the Paci and were potty trained. You also found out your were going to big sister! Then, after Christmas you tranistioned from your crib to your big girl bed. Most of those tranistions were smoother than anticipated. All of them were markers on just how big you are now.

Another favorite for you this year is playing "ballet". You were such a beautiful tiny ballerina for Halloween. You love to put your hands over your head to show us your "ballet" as you make slow deliberate spinning circles. 

 



 

I love continuing to get glimpses of you will be. Your such a fun girl combo - you love getting your nails painted, going to the tea room, wearing a pretty dress but you also love making mud pies, riding your tri-cycle and being outside. You are tender hearted, compassionate and so loving.

 

We let you watch PBS, Dora and movies. Dora and Daniel Tiger are your favorite shows. Your favorite movies have been Lady and the Tramp, Despicable me and Lion King.

Of course the child therapist in me loves that you've mastered most of your feelings identification this year. Feelings words regularly appear in your conversations. My favorite is when you describe happy and you will randomly tell me things like "mom goats make me so happy". Lately you like to use the words frustrated and disappointed. Those big words sound a little funny coming out of your tiny self.

Regulating your emotions, as will be the case for a few years, is still a struggle at times. As is the case for most two year olds sometimes your moods shift dramatically and suddenly. You tested more limits this year and we've had to be more determined and consistent in our response to you to teach you obedience while we try to also honor and mold your drive toward independence. I didn't always respond with the patience and kindness that I wish I had. Getting to parent you continues to refine me and your dad. I pray to our heavenly father that our parenting continues to grow as you do, that we will be who need to be so that we can help you be all He intends you to be.

I am excited to watch this next year unfold for you. I think you will be a natural at this big sister thing. One of the things I am most excited about in meeting your baby brother is the connection you and he will have with one another. While you are growing bigger, you will always be my baby girl in so many ways. Know there is nothing that can ever happen or you can ever do that will make me love you less or more than I do right now. I don't have words for the gratitude I feel for the blessing you are to your dad and I, that is confirmed every year and every day we get to share with you. Happy 3rd Birthday sweet girl!

Love,

Your mama