Today, you are three years old. At this exact moment in time, you are tall, gangly, all limbs and long brown hair and eyes with killer lashes. I have to refrain myself from exclaiming over how pretty you are, so you don't get a big head or think that looks are too important. You are a mile-a-minute ball of energy who will pull every trick in the book to avoid bedtime...only to pass out cold for a solid 9 hour stretch once you've wiggled/sung/whispered/cried all your ya-yas out. You are tenacious; insisting that other kids be your friend ("I'm talking to you!" you proclaim, your face peering a mere 3 inches away from theirs), or repeatedly jamming puzzle pieces around until you make them fit, or repeating your request until you've gotten your object of desire (or a suitable substitute). Yet, you exhibit strange wells of patience and calm, be it when "reading" a book to yourself, allowing me to teach you songs, or talking to your younger bubba and letting his fingers rove your face while he coos.
Your favorite colors are "yellow and pink and blue." Like your mama, you refuse to limit yourself to only one favorite of anything. Your current obsession (now going 6 months strong) is The Wizard of Oz, and you were completely dazzled by the "ruby red slippers" and Wicked Witch doll you received for this birthday. You have zero fear of the witch; in fact, you seem to believe her main objective is just to keep Toto as her own pet. You adore "I'm Walkin'" by Fats Domino and the King's version of "Hound Dog." Whenever Daddy gets home at the end of the day, you squeal and run for a hug, which utterly makes his day. You have a monster set of pipes and abhor being shushed when you're crying...it only makes you holler louder ("I will not be quiet; I will cry LOUD!!" -- yes, we know). You enjoy extra garlicky hummus, raw lemons, fish of any kind cooked in any fashion, pickles, olives, and fresh ground pepper on your entrees.
You call your brother "my baby" and love to show him off to anyone who will listen. You pet his head and like to kiss his eyes. Other than your parents, Bubba is your biggest fan, and I love to watch his gaze follow you around the room. You enjoy the villain characters in your movies and stories more so than the princesses, although you like them too. You make me exercise all my old acting muscles by insisting that I portray various characters at the drop of a hat (just this week, I've had to be Santa Claus, Jafar, and the Wicked Witch). You have a huge capacity for love, a memory like an elephant, the vocabulary of a 5 year old, and the fashion sense of Cyndi Lauper.
.JPG)
I can scarcely believe that you used to be the length of my forearm, with jet black downy fur on your head. The easiest baby ever, you're making up for lost time by now challenging your parents every single day. You are 3 going on 13. But tonight I will still snuggle with you and Pink Puppy, sing "Embraceable You" (you call it The Mama Song) and "Hide Your Love Away," and tuck you in with a kiss. I will do all these little-girl-and-mama rituals as long as you'll let me. I'll continue to pray for your health and safety every day, and I'll go to bed excited for all the new independence, ideas, and discoveries that this year will bring for us both. You are my own special girl, and I love you always.
--Your Mama
Aw, so sweet and beautifully written!
ReplyDelete