Our "Princess" Turns 3

I remember finding out we were expecting our second child as if it happened yesterday.  Then I blinked.  Now she's 3.  No longer a baby.  No longer a toddler.  But a little girl.  A "princess" as she seems to think she is.

At age 3 our little girl has grown and learned so much.  She can say her A, B, C's and recognizes the letter B and says, "Be for me" since that is the first letter in her name.  She also recognizes M as the first letter in her brother's name and G is for Grandpa and Grandma.  She also speaks very well and that has always been her strong point, even at age one.  She knows the colors and her favorite is pink.  Her favorite show is The Fresh Beat Band and has also taken a recent interest in watching Sam and Cat, Victorious and iCarly.  She seems to be outgrowing her obsession for Yo Gabba Gabba, thankfully.  She's loves Disney Princesses, wearing dresses and everything girly ... but she also doesn't mind getting dirty and playing superheros (it comes from having a big brother).  She loves to dance and is always spinning and twirling and kicking her feet up in the air.  She keeps saying, "I wanna do ballet," but we decided against it this year and will hope to sign her up next year due to financial reasons and also since she still refuses to potty train.  Yes, getting her to use the potty has been the biggest challenge with her.  The underwear method and reward system just doesn't cut it.  She doesn't care.  I feel a three year old in diapers is unnecessary but I also know it will happen when she's ready (just hope it's long before she starts preschool next year). 

She can be very stubborn and knows what she wants and insists on having what she wants (which brings on a big challenge when it comes to disciplining).  However, most of the time, she is a real joy and always seems to care if we're happy.  Constantly throughout the day, especially when I seem down or frustrated she will ask, "Mom are you happy?"  If she knows someone is hurt she will repeatedly ask if they are feeling better, like after my husband's hip surgery or after my dad's shoulder surgery.  She already seems to care for others.  It's great.  She also loves to laugh and if she does something that makes us laugh she'll keep doing it over and over again so we can keep laughing. 

On the day of her birthday she requested we go to her favorite place, an amusement park nearby where we go to quite often.  We rode some rides and allowed both kids to ride ponies.  This was her first pony ride and she LOVED it.  I was anticipating some tears and fear but she smiled and laughed the entire time.  Then we went home so she could open her presents from us.

The following day we had a small party in the backyard with family.  We also included both grandfathers since their birthdays are close to the date as well.  My sister and her family came all the way from NY to attend and we appreciated that so much.

She definitely lived up to the title "Terrible Twos" and showed us that term DOES exist.  However, it's been great so far.  We love our little girl so much and can't wait to see what age 3 brings us. 

Look Who's Two

Our little girl, the last baby, has turned two this week.  Such a bittersweet feeling watching children grow up, isn't it?  I love having a daughter and I thank God for her every day, and her brother too.  It's fun watching her explore and learn new things.  She has a sweet personality but she's also a tough girl too.  She's not afraid to make demands and if she doesn't get her way she'll throw a fit.  Typical toddler for sure and we'll work on that.  Her tantrums are few and far between though and that is great.  She's a happy little girl who loves to play, dance, run, climb and just about anything a two year old can do.  She's also very smart.  Already knows most of her A B C's and can count to 13 (missing a few numbers here and there).  She loves to sing and her favorite is "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and she loves ... I mean LOVES Yo Gabba Gabba.  She's obsessed with the show.  They only show the episodes on the weekends but thanks to DVR we have a ton recorded.  So every day she asks to watch it and she would just sit and watch them all day if I'd let her.  No, I don't let her.

She also loves Disney Princesses but she also likes to play in the dirt and steal her brother's toys.  She already knows and uses her manners quite often saying, "please, thank you, no thank you," and "excuse me."  She also asks to "pway" before eating every meal.  Her big brother learned the "God is great, God is good ..." prayer in preschool and he recites it before dinner every night.  She has learned most of it and wants to say it before she eats.  Sometimes even in the middle of a meal she will say, "let's pway!"  She can't recognize her colors but she does say "yellow, geen (green), boo (blue), pinked (pink) and red."  She can say many words and speaks in sentences.  And everything is, "mine!" even if it's not.  Of course, I'm not bragging.  Jotting down her accomplishments is for my benefit.

I'll find out her height and weight at next week's doctor appointment but I know she is short for her age, just like her brother.  She can still fit into some size 18 months clothes, most 24 months and 2T clothes but still a lot of 2T sizes are too big.  She picks out her shirt every morning.  At this point she wants to try and do everything like putting on her clothes and things like that, but she's unsuccessful.  Of course, she will get there.  I'm just so happy to see her wanting to be independent. 

And she loves to smile just like this. 

My husband took off work for her birthday, as he does every year for all our birthdays.  We met with my parents and some friends at the amusement park we like to go to.  The weather was beautiful but the park was too crowded.  Brianna doesn't do well in crowds so after riding on a few rides she was starting to get cranky.  It was also lunch time and her usual nap time at the point we decided to leave.  I hated to skip out like that since we had friends there.  We ate lunch at Applebees and we considered going back to the park but as we passed we saw the parking lot was full and decided against the idea.  Too bad.  We'll definitely be there again before the season is over.  We stopped at my parents' house so she could open her gift from them there.  A Barbie Jeep and a Barbie and Ken dolls.  

Then we headed home so she could open all the gifts from us.  We spoiled her!  She loves her new play kitchen, which in my opinion, is something all little girls should have.  She also has pots and pans, plates, silverware and lots of food to go with it.  And of course, more gifts too.  

After presents we enjoyed a delicious cake.  And since our little girl loves Yo Gabba Gabba and wanted a special Yo Gabba Gabba cake my very creative husband made one for her.  

If you're familiar with the show you'll know exactly who this character is.  Rob did a fantastic job!

It was a good day for our little girl; however, while we celebrated her birth we learned that a good friend went Home to be with the Lord after battling cancer.  He was my father-in-law's best friend and someone my husband knew since he was a little boy.  He was a good man.  Very funny and always joking.  He was loved and he'll be missed. 

He's 5!

I ended my last blog with talking about how quickly my son was growing up.  He turned 5 over the weekend and that feeling of bittersweet emotion hit me harder than ever.  I know it might seem silly to some since he's still just a kid.  He's no longer a baby or a toddler.  He's a big kid.  Growing up more and more each day.  It seems that each year goes by quicker than the last.  Every year on his birthday I replay his birth story in my head longing to remember each detail.  Of course, I can't remember every detail but I'll always remember how it was the greatest and most meaningful moment of my life.  He made me a mother.  He gave my life purpose.

I am so thankful to God for giving me a son who is healthy and strong.  He's also very smart and loves to learn.  I hate to be the parent that brags but Matthew gives me so many reasons to be proud.  As of now he can't read but he can write all the letters in the alphabet and with someone's help he's able to write words and put them into sentences.  He's been writing notes to people.  He loves to draw and his pictures actually look like something instead of scribbles.  Most of all, he loves to sing and that's his favorite part about school.  They've been learning different Christmas songs for a concert they'll be performing in December so he will randomly start belting out "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" almost perfectly.  He can also say the "Pledge" and many songs he's learned from me or at school.  Yes when he recited The Pledge of Allegiance to me that almost knocked me off my feet.  I couldn't believe it.  I can see him as being more of a performer instead of the sporty type but that may change as he gets older.  When it comes to sports he likes to follow in his dad's love of the Washington Redskins.  He has yet to play any sports but I'd love to sign him up for t-ball or soccer soon.  He's also come out of his shell recently and is getting so much better at interacting with people. 

Well, you get the idea.  He's a thriving 5 year old.  One that I'm proud to call my son. 

First Birthday Fun

 We recently celebrated our baby's first birthday.  It's hard to believe it has been one year since I held that tiny infant in my arms.  She is truly a blessing to us and has been a wonderful addition to our family.  Since she is the last child we plan to have it's been a very bittersweet experience for me.

We celebrated with a few family members and close friends at the house last weekend.  Little Brianna didn't know what to make of it but she did very well with being the center of attention.  The house was decorated in a 1st Birthday Princess theme and we fed our guests pizza and, of course, cake.  She wore the birthday tutu her grandparents bought her for this special occasion.  It was fun!

On her actual birthday we spoiled her with presents and a trip to the mall to get her ears pierced.  She didn't necessarily like that experience too much but she looks like such an angel with those gold hearts with a pink sapphire in the middle.  I love having a little girl!