I mean, did I not just give birth to this child???? I cannot believe that we just celebrated my first baby's 3rd birthday but we did and it was a blast! For some reason, the crossing over into her 4th year of life hit me hard. not in a bad way but really caused me to realize that There is no baby left here, she is all Little girl.
She still is the smiliest child, although now those smiles can be followed by a huge tantrum just minutes after (mood swings are in full effect). She still loves to cuddle with me and "get cozy" with her daddy but she calls us Mom and dad. She no longer wears diapers, is potty trained and about to leave her crib in the dust for greener pastures in her "big girl" bed. She is still very imaginative and loves to play by herself but this independence has created a very strong willed personality...she is a woman who knows what she wants. She has always had great balance and been a tough and sturdy girl but this girl is strong! She can easily carry her stool or a chair to something that is out of her reach, she doesn't want ANY help. She has always been well rounded as far as interests but her current infatuations range from anything Princess to playing "soccer ball" (daddy is smiling). She still loves her SuttBear but doesn't really like the way Sutton comes in a messes up "her" things. She has always been opinionated but now she is just plain bossy and borderline OCD.
But even though she is 3 and she has crossed from being a baby to a little girl, many things remain exactly the same. she still gives the BEST hugs. she is Friendly to EVERYONE and calls everyone her friend. she loves anything sugary and sweet. she can con you in a second to getting what she wants. she LOVES jesus and sings "Amazing Grace" and "jesus Loves Me" very loudly in public places. If you ask her about Jesus, she will tell you "Jesus lives in my heart". and she brightens my day the moment I walk into her room in the morning, in fact, Mac and I fight to get to her room first :) She still loves puzzles and Books and gets a thrill of teaching Sutton her technique (although most of the time Sutton is playing her own way, much to big sissy's dismay). She has the best sense of direction, seriously might have a photographic memory. She still is a tough cookie when it comes to getting hurt, she gets right back up and says "I'm ok!" She has a very tender heart, cannot stand to see me cry but inherited a very bad emotion/reaction from me where she laughs when someone gets hurt, terrible. I promise, its not out of meaness, its a nervous reaction. I did the exact same when i was little and my sister got hurt. She is way smaller than her friends and now her sister but we have yet to see it bother her or stop her from joining in with others. She is never intimidated or shy around "big kids", in fact, they are her favorite. She still loves music but is so opinionated about what we listen to in the car, it drives me nuts. And no, its not Nursery Rhymes or Raffi, it's top 40's pop music and she can identify an Usher or Rhianna song in a second. She is always up for a dance party, our favorites are in our pj's and Sutton loves to join in...Daddy thinks we are all crazy!
Anyway, I could go on and on but just don't want time to pass without me documenting these feelings and moments.
Here are some recent pics, tell me she doesn't look grown up!
Loves her some popsicles, especially the ones that turn your mouth colors ;)
On her actual birthday, eyes fixed on that yummy cupcake
about to jump out of her skin for that yummy birthday treat
Make a wish, sweet girly
Just the way she likes them, with icing and sprinkles, thanks Aunt Haines!
I changed as a person the day my sweet girl was born, my heart, my attitude, my love and i could not be more proud to have her as a daughter. Then when she was diagnosed with her Dwarfism, i knew our path would be different but I had no clue how wonderful it would be. Just like anyone, our path is still unfolding but i can honestly say that I wouldn't want to be on any other path than ours. Betsy Grace, you are my abundant blessing and my love, always and forever!
xoxo
