Happy 3rd birthday, Macey Jean

My beautiful daughter,

You are three.

Since the day you came into our lives, you've been such a joy. You are loving, smart, playful, silly, kind, and an entertainer. Someone once told me that when you smile, your whole face lights up and you even smile with your eyes. I would have to agree.

 

I love everything about your carefree spirit. I love the way you try to keep up with your "bro" and I even love the way your mischievous side comes out when you grab his favorite toy and run out of the room. I love the way you give affection so freely and your sweet voice when you say, "I love you so much."

 

This morning, we went to meet your preschool teachers. Preschool. Another milestone checked off in the books. And you handled it just like I knew you would: with confidence and a smile. You walked right in, started playing, and barely gave me a second glance. I watched your blonde pigtails bounce around the room and just watched you in awe. I still kind of can't believe you're mine. I'm thankful every day that you are.

 

 

 

Here's a glimpse of you, at three:

 



• You're about 25 lbs. Not sure about height; we haven't had your 3-year check-up yet.
• You love all Disney princesses, but your favorites are still Elsa and Anna.
• You're not exactly an adventurous eater, but your favorite foods include: cinnamon rolls, cereal, pancakes, cheese, yogurt, goldfish, peanut butter, raisins, banana, and penne pasta with alfredo sauce.
• You ask for "noodles"  (aka: penne pasta) for dinner every.single.night.
• You love playing with your "bro", and you love instigating fights with him too.
• You know your ABCs, shapes, and numbers 1-20.
• Your favorite shows are Paw Patrol, Team Umizoomi, Blaze, and Peppa.
• Your favorite movie is Frozen.
• You love play-doh and anything crafty (read: messy).
• You love to FaceTime with your daddy while he's at work during the day. You call him "Daddy big face" when his face appears on the screen.
• You like to play princesses and constantly swap their outfits.
• You are very interested in Legos right now.
• You like to play outside and ride in Camden's jeep.
• You've pretty much dropped your afternoon nap, with the exception of the occasional car nap when we are stuck in car-line while picking Camden up after school.
• We're in the process of saying goodbye to your nursery (no more animals on the wall-- sniff, sniff) and giving you a "big girl" Frozen-themed room.
• Starting next week, you will go to preschool Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
• You are friendly, active, and easygoing. You clearly inherited your dad's temperament!

Happy birthday, sweet girl. You are so very loved!

Love,
Mommy

And He's Off to Kindergarten

I was talking to a friend a few years ago right around the time summer was winding down and everyone was gearing up for the first day of school. Predictably, our Facebook newsfeeds were filled with sappy status updates and then, a few days later, obligatory first day of school pictures. Most of the captions read something like, "Can you believe Tommy is starting kindergarten?!"

At the time, I had a preschooler and an infant, so the idea of a school-aged child and all of the angst and emotion that goes along with the first day of school seemed eons away to me.

Anyway, my friend said something like, "All of these 'Can you believe it' posts are funny. Because, yes, I can believe it. You had a baby five years ago, which makes him five years old, which is when the majority of kids start kindergarten. It's not really that unbelievable.'"

I remember laughing, and nodding my agreement. Of course I can believe your kid is going to kindergarten. But now that it's mine? Well, it's kind of unbelievable.

It's unbelievable because, when it's your own kid, chronological time kind of goes out the window. I look at Camden's face and I see an inquisitive five-year-old with his daddy's eyes and my cowlick, but I also see the tiny baby that I endlessly pushed around the house in a stroller, willing him to fall asleep. I hear his voice-- a steady stream of chatter discussing everything from white blood cells to the solar system-- but I can also still hear him yelling, "BABABABABA!" in his high chair, marking the first time he ever truly babbled.

So, I see him now, but I see him then too. And sometimes the then is hard to let go; and sometimes the now moves a little too quickly.

First Day of Kindergarten, 2015-2016