Totally Terrific Three

Today my Grace turns three.

Is is amazing that she has grown from this (3 days old)......to this (first birthday)....

...to this (second birthday).......to this!

We have a doctor's appointment in a few days, so I will have her "official" height and weight then, but from my estimates, she is about 37 inches tall and 31 pounds. Grace is a delightful child that makes me laugh every day with her silly expressions, funny faces, and crazy dancing. Grace is full of curiosity and wonder, often asking, "What that Mommy?" and "Why?" as she tries to make sense of the world around her. She amazes me with how quickly she will learn something she is interested in like Spanish words and the computer. But if she finds something too difficult or unpleasant she will just ignore me when I talk to her about it. We are trying to teach her that she shouldn't say, "I can't do it" and just keep trying until she succeeds. She likes to "practice her letters" and "do work" like Mommy, which really means taking a lined notebook and writing scribble that mimics writing on the pages. Grace is not too interested in drawing and coloring. She seems a little impatient when I try to get her to do these activities. Sometimes, though, she will tell me that she is drawing something and it is so interesting when I ask her about her artwork as she will tell me her scribbles are a lion, a rocket, a man, a bear, or some other thing that looks nothing like what is on the page. I eagerly anticipate the day that I see a recognizable image!

She loves to discover new things, will listen intently if you quietly talk to her and explain a new concept, and has varied interests that range from cars, trains, and bugs to dressing up like a ballerina or princess. She can kick a soccer ball and is starting to dribble it across the lawn. Music is still something that captures her attention. And, as someone who is not very musical, it is still a shock each time she hears an interesting musical piece and will stop whatever she is doing to turn her attention to the sound. Not many 3-year olds can recognize the music of Chris Botti and Miles Davis, but Grace does and will ask to listen to their CDs.

Grace can be a wonderfully, caring little girl. She carefully "babies" her dolls by changing their diapers, putting them to sleep, and kissing their "boo-boos". And, probably my favorite thing lately is when she stops everything and says, "I give Mommy a big hug". I always have time for a hug.

Happy Birthday, My Grace. You are the best part of my life and I love every minute I get to share with you!