Dear Poppy

You turned three last Friday, so Happy Birthday!  Now, the only reason I am getting a crack at writing this, is that you and your brother fell asleep in the car. But I got to say, I am so proud of you.  You made it through a big year- moving from the discovery of physical independence to that of personal independence.  You are certainly your own girl.  We are just here to guide you.

And so, although I might call you "my baby girl", I realize that you are really on loan, so to speak.  It has been an honor and much fun to be your guide, but frankly kid, it has also been really hard at times, too.  There have been huge moments of frustration on both of our parts.  The great thing is that 99% of our days are not battles at all, but fun and happy and cheerful.  You are the kid that is friendly, outgoing, happy and social.  In fact, the more people watching you, the better.  You'll tell them all about it!

In recent months your language skills have just taken off- we can have real conversations, which is so wonderful.  You love to "talk about your day" snuggled in bed before a nap.  You love that one on one time.  You absolutely love and adore your brother.  And you love to dance- rock out, really- and sing.  You can remember major lines of books after one reading.  You are really starting to show empathy and concern for others.  You are blooming.

The other day you said that you wanted to "get old".  I think you meant that you wanted to grow up so you can do certain things; but I said, "No honey, you want to be three for as long as three lasts.  You have a long time to be old".  Because you do. 

Enjoy being three because you only get to be three once.  Because all the other kids your age are growing up too fast, spending too much time as little adults.  Because you are my little girl.  And because you are just perfect the way you are- in your three-ness.

I love you.

Mommy

Comments

[Kit]

Happy Birthday kiddo! You seem so big even though we have only been away for 3months! We miss you guys and hope life is treating you well!