Now you’re three {my littlest one}

You turned three, but you still think you’re two. (And I still wish you were, too!). Probably you’re stuck on “two” because you’d JUST mastered the art of holding down your ring and pinkie finger to show just “two” fingers! Now we’ll work on the much harder “three.” Because… now you are three, my littlest one!

Always a chatterbox, this last year you’ve proven to be quite the thinker and conversationalist. You pick up on facial cues, notice signs on the road, and are always, always asking pertinent questions (sometimes TOO pertinent! ha!).

Words to describe you: Inquisitive, Opinionated, Thoughtful, Caring, Empathetic, Passionate, and by turns Adventurous or Cautious (but mostly the former!).

Someone’s not really decided about #fireworks or not! #4thofjuly

A photo posted by @juliekieras on Jul 4, 2015 at 5:09pm PDT

You call American flags “America” and ask if George Washington lives wherever you see a flag posted outside a house!

You love reading! If you’re quiet I can usually find you parked on the couch reading a book. You speak the stories you see aloud as you flip through the pictures, or, quite accurately recite the words you heard us reading to you. Your favorite ficiton book right now is Where the Wild Things Are and you love Bernard, and saying “I’ll eat you up, I love you so!” (You also still love to tell me that you love me to the moon, and the sun, and the stars, and back. I love how you’re always adding a little extra in there!).

Your favorite color is orange. And when you see something orange, you take it personally, saying, “Awww, the sun is orange, my favorite color.” Or going by Home Depot, “Awww, Mommy, the sign is orange, that’s my favorite.” You really think that everything orange was made so for your viewing pleasure! I love that.

You’ve gained such control over your body lately (although you still have your bobbly moments). You’re more wrestler/grappler than your lithe, runner older brother, but you both enjoy a good throw down on the living room rug.

  His last day being two, I asked him to make all his silly faces! #timeflies #lovehim #birthday #threeyearsold   A photo posted by @juliekieras on Jul 17, 2015 at 8:05pm PDT

Master of faces, I think you have a career on the stage in your future. Your large body movements and expressions constantly have us rolling with laughter. From a very young age, you’ve been quite aware of comic timing and people’s reactions to your games. Of course, your temper is equally as large as your comical side! But you’ve come a long way and are able to express your feelings to us more with words than with crying this past year.

And you love. How you love us. You tell us you love us many many times a day, with words, hugs, kisses, and snuggles. You like nothing better than to fall asleep in our arms, just like when you were newly born. I am so grateful this part of babyhood is not over for us.

This year, you’ve pretty much taught yourself to count to ten, take off and put on your own clothes (with many adjustments from Mommy aftewards!), and cut with scissors. I know you look up to your big brother and copy everything he does!

Sadly, you’ve stopped calling your brother “HaaaSHer” and begun using the real form of his name. I miss that!

You love to sing… and are pretty good at picking up lyrics and singing at the TOP of your lungs. As your brother declared the other day, you are “the loud one!”

Also both good and sad – you’ve give up your beloved “MiMi” for good. My heart aches for you, watching you sob for your sweet MiMi, knowing how much it calmed you down. You loved that pacifier just as much as your brother loves his lovey lions, and my heart broke to have to take it away, but of course, it’s terrible for your teeth so… it had to go. I hope you find a new lovey soon, which we think will be your Little Bear / Big Bear stuffed animal duo.

Potty training is coming along – you were resistant at first, but now you try many times a day and are really making progress! I love what how you are a very self-taught child, knowing when you’re ready, and when you’re ready, you take on the world.

I can’t wait to see where you go and what you do, my strong and happy boy!