Addy Pearl Turns 3!

Addy Pearl, today you are three years old! I look back and think about how fast the last three years have gone by and I cannot imagine our world without you in it. 

 You weren't planned in our mind, but in God's mind, you were planned and perfect and arrived in to our family and made us complete. We didn't know how much we needed you, but God knew. 

Your sisters were hooked right from the beginning, and you become our baby. You adore your big sisters and look up to them so much. You have no idea how little you are, because you do everything just like they do. You want to be in the middle of them, playing with their barbies and babies, making messes, and coloring. 

 You love horses and the color pink. Your favorite toys are your baby dolls, and we all know how much you love ballet baby. You also like to de-stuff your ballet baby, and right now she is all torn a part with just the stuffing left in her head. You love to push your baby dolls around in a stroller, and you love to play in the toy kitchen. Your constantly cooking up a meal or mothering your dolls. 

You can count 1-3, and then your numbers get a little mixed up! You know the letter "A" and anytime you see it, you exclaim, "That's my name!" and you're so proud! You love to find the letter "A" everywhere you go! You know that you are turning three and all you've asked for your birthday is "suckers". So today, we will grant you your wish, and buy you the biggest sucker imaginable. 

 You are either smiling and happy and a joy, or you're crying and sad and just want to be held and loved. There's not much of an in-between. You still want us to carry you wherever we go, and we don't really mind since you're so little. A whopping 25 lbs. You love to be held and to cuddle on the sofa with us. You can sit and curl up with your baby and your thumb and you're as content as can be. When we tuck you in at night, you request one book. Right now your favorite is Farm Babies, we say our prayers, and sing Good Night Moon, and then you crawl right in your bed with two blankets, your thumb, and your baby and you go right to sleep. Just lately, you've been telling me that it's dark and you're wanting your closet light on. 

You love to eat and your constantly sneaking snacks. However, when it's actually time to eat, you eat like a bird and barely eat anything! We can count on the fact that you'll fill up with fruit snacks, and currently, you're climbing in the pantry stealing the oreo cookies that I bought. You love applesauce and yogurt and cheese sticks, and juice. You've been asking to drink out of a big girl cup and you're so proud when you don't spill. 

 You absolutely hate having your hair washed and brushed, and you love to brush your own teeth. I can't get over how long and blonde your hair is, and I love your little curls. You almost always request pigtails or a braid for your hair. You're so much like your daddy with your fair skin and blue eyes. You're definitely a daddy's girl. I love how you look up to him. 

You're sneaky and can almost always get away with anything because you're so stinking cute! And you just smile because you absolutely know what you're doing and getting away with. I'll tell you 'no' and then you continue doing whatever, so I'll say, "Addy, what did mommy say?" And you always tell me that I said 'yes', even though I absolutely did not. You're a smart one. 

You absolutely love puppy dogs! Anytime we are out and about and you see a dog, you want to go over and say hello. You also love your own Bailey dog, and always give her hugs, feed her, and let her outside. You spoil her with treats and bones too. But you do so hate it when she steals a bite of your food off your plate. 

You also love bunny rabbits and horses, and you like to see the "boats" on our way home. Your favorite friend at school is Ellarie, and you absolutely love your teachers, and they totally love you back. 

You make us laugh so often, and you're just nutty enough to be darling. I keep forgetting that you're going to be three, and I just think of you as that little baby that you were. But, I'm also excited for you to become three because I can't wait to see how much you learn and grow this year! Oh, how I do dread the "threenager" stage, which you've been in for several weeks now. You're definitely showing your independence and stubborn streak. 

(Our last two year old picture).

Addy Pearl, we're going to celebrate you big today! I love you so much and I'm so glad that God gave us you!