tomorrow you are three, BK

Braylen Kate,

Tomorrow you will hold up three of the most adorable fingers and proclaim that you are indeed, three years old. You’ve practiced holding up those three fingers for weeks and tomorrow is the day. When I tucked you in last night, I wiped away tears and I stayed around even after you fell asleep. I watched you sleep for a few minutes and for a moment I couldn’t convince myself that you would be three soon. I can still see so much of that sweet newborn in you while you sleep, when everything is quiet.

1,095 days ago you came into this world, tiny and perfect, and even though it’s only been three years, it’s hard to remember a time when you weren’t with us. My heart is full of love for you and I can’t imagine it any other way. Marking the yearly milestone with a birthday is bittersweet. I’m not sad because I absolutely adore you in this stage (just as I have every one before), but I am reminded of just how fast this precious time passes.

You bring joy to so many people. Your laugh is infectious, your smile contagious, and your personality is larger than life. I like to take credit for some of your personality traits and give your daddy credit for the others. But the truth is, neither of us can match your personality. You are outgoing and entertaining, you never meet a stranger, and I’m not sure you even know the meaning of shy. You actually sang two or three entire songs while we were shopping last Friday night, loud and proud. Your confidence is unmatched and I’d give just about anything to ensure you go through life with this same confident attitude.

Your second year was full of big changes and firsts. We moved into a new house, in a new town. You started Mother’s Day Out for a few hours each week. We traveled to the beach and the aquarium. You kicked the diaper habit and gave your paci to Santa. You learned to jump with both feet off the ground (that’s probably the one you’re most proud of). You had your first ear infection, found a love for Mexican food, Japanese hibachi and baking cookies with me in the kitchen.

Your hair curls up in tight ringlets and your eyes are big and blue. You don’t go anywhere without a bow and you fight “penny-tails” every time I try to put your hair up. You talk and talk and talk, and when we think you are finished, you tell us something else.

Braylen Kate, you are so smart. You have conversations with me and put puzzles together, you can count and say your ABC’s and pick out letters when you see them. You remember everything, down to the smallest details. We read books together and you remember the story sequence and details. You read them back to me in your own words and you blow me away with how much you remember from being read a book just one time. You love patterns and shapes and figuring things out, counting >and sorting. Your imagination knows no boundaries.

A million times, I’ve wondered how we got so lucky to be your parents. God is entrusting us with something great, and we don’t take that for granted.  I know you’re going to do big things, little girl.

 

There is a video
I found from back when I was three
You set up a paint set in the kitchen
And you’re talking to me
It’s the age of princesses and pirate ships
And the seven dwarfs
Daddy’s smart
And you’re the prettiest lady in the whole wide world

I don’t know why all the trees change in the fall
I know you’re not scared of anything at all
Don’t know if Snow White’s house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day
With you today

Taylor Swift, The Best Day