Can you tell me a story?

Dear Catalina, You just celebrated your third birthday--unbelievable! At the same time it seems like it was so long ago that I had a life without you but also that it was just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital. You are no longer a creature with only needs and wants--but thoughts and expressions as well. Ok so you've had thoughts and expressions for a while, but this birthday has really cemented that in my head. You are your own person. It is so fun to watch. Here is a link to a video where you express your thoughts on turning three http://youtu.be/gTs1eXHTWyg Added to the list of things that three-year olds do not do--according to you-- is pee pee in your pants. While I still catch you picking your nose, you've actually so far kept your promise on this last one. For your birthday, we thought we'd take you down to Phoenix and go to the Children's Museum or this amusement park for little kids. Unfortunately you got sick right before we were set to go. We went anyway which ended up being a mistake. So we didn't get to do too much in Phoenix, but I think you still enjoyed the time you got to spend with mommy and daddy in a hotel. Today you seem to be full of emotions. You mentioned that you were lonely at school and that breaks my heart to hear. You currently attend a small preschool called Gartendale. Right now there are only 5 kiddos and you are the youngest. I know you want so badly to play with the two other little girls, but I think you get left out a bit. Already it's starting. I'm not really prepared to help you through these social issues--especially when I still deal with them myself. Hopefully we can impress upon you how special you are and build some self confidence--but I fear that I have some troubles with that. I probably can point out any shortcomings in a person faster than I can name their strengths--including my own. I am trying to work on not passing that on to you, but I'm not sure I'm succeeding. So here are some of your strengths: I shouldn't harp on appearances--but you are seriously adorable. I know I'm biased, but I have rarely seen a cuter kid. You are very creative--and expect the same of others. One of your favorite things is to say "Mommy (or Daddy), tell me a story" Even though you often want the stories to be similar to ones you've heard before, you also seem to enjoy new twists and endings. You love reading books. I think we could sit and read all day and you wouldn't mind. You are very curious. You always ask me about the first letters of various words. "What starts 'Pelican'" or something like that. You've gotten pretty good at recognizing sounds, too. You've picked up various skills in gymnastics really quickly. I wasn't sure that physical activity would be a strong point, but with some direction, you seem to do just fine. You always want me to walk or ride the bike to places--I hope this never changes. It keeps me honest about my need to drive places. You are very thoughtful and kind. You tell me you love me without warning. You often think of gifts for others, too. You can be completely random. Sometimes you and I just say words to each other--kind of like an unannounced word-association game. You've done this for a while now. I think its hilarious. You have a great sense of humor--and your life is definitely infectious. Hopefully I tell you these things in person, too. But now we have a record of your amazingness! My little three-year old. Unbelievable. So far, three is pretty terrific. I'm told you will turn into a monster soon. I see signs now--but I welcome the challenge. Sorry for the boring post. I love you to the moon....and back Mommy

A smart little cookie

Hello Darling,
I can't believe it has been so long since I have written to you.  Life has just been so hectic--always.  I used to think it would slow down eventually, but I realize it probably never will.

What is new?  Gosh so much.  You continue to develop your own personality.  You love to tell jokes and laugh, and rough house with daddy.  You are still very interested in language--you always stop me to ask what a word means.  It has been really good for me to have to explain abstract concepts to you in simple terms--albeit a bit challenging.

A month or so ago, you and Daddy watched Star Wars together.  Of all the characters, you decided you wanted to be Darth Vader.  You asked us to call you Darth Vader.  If I referred to you as honey or sweetie, you would correct me and say, "no, I'm not sweetie, I'm Darth Vader."  You would wake up and the first thing you would say in the morning was, "no, I'm Darth Vader!"  It caused us endless amounts of laughter to see your sweet little face and imagine you as a cyborg.  For Christmas this year we got you a light saber, cape, and mask, and your uncle Chris got you some figurines.  You seem to have gotten past Darth Vader a bit, but I'm hoping not forever.  I love that you didn't pick Princess Leia.  You are a unique person and while you love pink and dresses, you don't seem to want to buy into gender stereotypes.  You have challenged my own interpretation of the world--my default is to call things "he", but you always correct me.  You have insisted several times that R2D2 is a girl.  Gosh, why not?  I don't know if all little girls do this, but I hope you never lose that.

Speaking of Christmas, we did a bit of travelling this year.  You and I went to Indianapolis for a week where you mastered stairs and got a chance to play with your cousins.  You amazed everyone with your conversation and your independence--as well as your sophisticated food palate!  One funny situation was that you kept forgetting your cousin Julianne's name.  You would refer to her as "Caitlin and the Smaller One".  Even if she was only sitting 5 feet away, you would look at me and say, "Mommy, do you think the Smaller one will play with me".  We all got a kick out of that one!

Then it was on to Mexico to meet up with Daddy.  Our beautiful beach vacation turned a bit sour when it rained the whole time.  You taught me so much though.  What's a little rain when there is this really cool 'sandbox' right outside the hotel!  It was so fun to watch you play in the sand and in the water.  We even got to kiss dolphins!  After the dolphin incident, we shared a cab with a group of tourists from Argentina and Brazil.  They were really nice and after only a few minutes you asked me if they were coming to our hotel with us.  We said no and you replied that you really wished they would.  You certainly won over their hearts when I relayed that message to them.  At the end of that short cab ride, you were giving them all hugs goodbye. I just love your warmth and openness!  You were such a great traveling companion too.  We rarely had any issues with you--and when we did it was generally related to food or sleep.

You are developing quite a stubborn streak and an ability to ignore requests to behave which worries me somewhat.  You have quite a bit of mischief in you I think!

I still can't get enough of watching you though, even with the mischief.  Every day you surprise me with some complex thought or new expression.  Maybe all mommies say that.....

I love you darling and I wish I could write more, but I must get some sleep for an early day tomorrow.

Yours forever,
Mommy