Sophia Grace at 3 Years Old

Oh, my sweet girl.

You're THREE!!!

You are becoming SUPER independent (and darn stubborn about it!) lately.  You want to do everything for yourself and even go so far as to reverse whatever I've started just so you can begin again ALL on your own.  :-)  Bedtime has gotten better again but you have so many little rituals that you insist on and everything has to be "just so".

You are loving and tender and you offer up kisses to everyone and everything.

You're also silly and funny.  You have a hilarious fake laugh and an even better real one.  I love that you have a sense of humor and you're learning to tell silly jokes and stories.  You're using much bigger words and expressions lately and that is always entertaining to hear.

You are protective of your family and I love that.  You defend us when you think someone is (even jokingly) being mistreated (i.e. teasing) and you stick up for us.  Family is the most important thing.  Don't lose that value. 

Girlfriend, you are one stubborn, brave and physically strong little lady.  Sometimes a little too big and sassy "spirited" for your britches, I think, but I love that about you and I hope you always keep it.

Potty training is going pretty well.  I know you are proud of yourself when you go and when you wear underwear, so I think you are motivated.  But, for the love of God, will you please start telling me before you have to poo instead of after?  Thank you.

At your doctors appointment last week you were 34#12oz and 38" tall.  Approximately 80th and 75th percentiles respectively.  (Actually, they measured you at 39" but I could tell just by watching that they were measuring accurately.  We re-measured a little more carefully at home.)  And at the dentist appointment that followed, we were all so amazed at how well you sat in the chair and cooperated for your cleaning and exam.  The dentist and his hygenist said you were their favorite patient that day - better behaved than some adults.  ;-)

This summer, I can't wait to see how you progress on a bigger bike.  I think we're ready to retire that tricycle, don't you?  I know you're looking forward to sidewalk chalk and bubbles, swimming and swinging, picnics and parks, and wearing those beloved new "crocs" when it's finally shorts weather... consistently.  You ask every day.  It's going to be fun to expand our garden and I know you'll want to help.  Hopefully, we can get outside with our new umbrellas and boots one warm, rainy day and dance around in the puddles. 

You're doing so much better with letter and shape recognition.  This summer, I want to keep working on number recognition and begin practicing the blending of letter sounds with you to start some early reading skills.  And in the fall, you'll start preschool!  Whoa!  You've got some big adventures ahead of you.

Sophie rocking on the balance board.

I am your biggest cheerleader, Sophia!  I love you to the moon and back and I am so proud of who you are becoming.  I know you're still a mommy's girl and that's fine by me, but don't sell yourself short!  You are gonna' do big things on your own one day.  And, in everything, I've got your back.  ;) I'll always be behind you no matter how big you get.

Happy Birthday, baby girl!

Love, Mommy