Maddie: 32 Months

My Sweet Girl,

Well, here we are: 2/3 of the way through the year to 3! I'm amazed at how much 3 you already have in you. Having a new baby plus starting school is making the second half of this year fly by so fast!

Starting school was a major milestone of this month. You have only been one day, but it is clear that you love school and will get so much out of your time spent in the classroom in the coming year. Every day you ask about school or talk about your teachers ("Mrs. Knoll gots curly hair? Like me?") We love how enthusiastic a learner you are and look forward to all the things you will be teaching us!

You continue to be a daddy's girl, delighting in him, laughing at him, and constantly wanting him to be a part of what you are doing. Sometimes I feel like the "second string" but I honestly enjoy seeing you two love each other in your own special ways. He's been taking you on short rides about town, he on the bike, and you in the trailer, and those trips have become so dear to him. It makes you so happy to have Daddy's undivided attention as you ride behind him, and the conversations the two of you have leave him smiling for hours after your return. It is my hope and prayer that you and your Daddy will always have this special bond and will find a way to talk about life as you grow and mature and change.

You are exceedingly curious and question everything. This is both endearing and exhausting, as the questions come like arrows, straight and fast and hard all day. When I don't have an answer you get frustrated and so we've taken to googling answers and images to soothe your insatiable curiosity. Just this week we learned that moles have teeth, but they aren't sharp like other rodents, but pointy like a cat. Thank goodness for the internet! Before I know it, you'll be using "google" like a verb and jumping on the desktop yourself.

Your fashion sense continues to develop and amuse us all. Last weekend you announced your desire to go skateboarding and then went upstairs and put on your blue polka dot Easter dress and pink plaid mary janes. I added a couple bows to your pigtails and we were off. Never before has there been a lovelier skateboarder, at least that I've seen.

Just last night, around midnight, you called out "Mama! Mama! Help!" I sat upright in bed and then dashed to your side, preparing for a toddler disaster--bad dream, potty incident, etc. When I arrived at your room I found your closet doors ajar, and you were sitting in the middle of the floor shouting "My ballet slippers! My ballet slippers! I can't find them anywhere!" Luckily I remembered seeing them on Samuel's floor, so I went next door, grabbed them, delivered them to your hands, tucked you in, and left. You take your nighttime fashion very seriously, girl.

You are very confident, capable, and growing more and more independent with each passing day. We purchased your first pair of tie-up tennies and they have caused at least a couple time outs this week because you insist on tying them by yourself and often scream in the process, "I CAN DO IT!" We might have to rethink clothes, shoes, etc. that require Mama assistance, because you are quite good at getting yourself dressed and any interference at this point might not be worth it.

I rearranged the fridge and snack cupboard to accommodate this growing independence. When you are hungry for a snack, you can go into the kitchen and find your own yogurt, applesauce, drink, cheese, fruit leather or zbar. You can open most packaging and then throw the trash away in the compactor or drop an apple core in the sink. The other night during story time before bed, I left your room for a minute to put Sam down. You came in the nursery, asked to borrow his stool, and then disappeared. A few minutes later, I heard a familiar sound that I couldn't quite place. I called your name. No answer. Again, and no answer, but again that familiar thud. Then you called out, "I'm down here, eating marshmallows!" And then, "Oops! Now the marshmallows spilled. I'm picking up marshmallows!" Sometimes independence has its hazards, like straight sugar five minutes before bedtime.

You astound us with your compassion and concern for others. When we are outside the house and someone passes by, you shout with genuine love, "My neighbor, Mama!" In a room of small children you will give hugs, kisses and pat-pats to anyone down at your level. You are quick to rush to the side of anyone who is upset with gentle reassurance. You read emotions well and desire for those around you to be content. We can hardly keep you away from your brother, that "little marshmallow," and you are always wanting to hold and kiss him.

We love you sweet girl. We celebrate the curious and kind person you are, as well as your zest for life. Happy 32 Months!

Love,

Mama