Reese's 3rd Year

If only I could have a video camera in every room of my house, in my car, and by my side as we go from playdate to errands to everywhere in between. With my lack of good memory and Reese's ever-changing/developing, always entertaining communication, I can't begin to describe the humor and insight we have gained this year through our little toddler. She went from saying 3-4 word sentences to struggling with stuttering because she has so many words and phrases she is trying to get out of her little mouth. She tells stories, sings songs, and talks all of the time. And it's what she says that just blows my mind. I guess the third year is the year of knowledge if year one is physical and year two is communication.

Reese is compassionate, and I know this by how she talks about others, what she picks up and comments on, and of course how she treats others, and mainly her brother. Reese is funny and loves to be a ham, but there is a big part of her that is hesitant to new circumstances, cautious, and laid-back. She loves attention and making others laugh, and her attention span isn't the longest as most commonly seen in dance class. BTW, I just read that she could count 1-14 at age 2, and I'm not sure she could do much more at age 3. We will work on that.

In terms of education, I have some pretty lofty goals for this year. During Graham's morning nap is our intentional learning time, and I want to work on letter sounds, writing the alphabet, drawing pictures, simple patterns, and continue practicing numbers, colors, and matching. Am I leaving anything off, mom?! :) Again, her attention span is short, but mom is encouraging me not to worry about that and to just follow her lead and do what we can. My prayer is that she loves learning.

Reese is strong-willed and is oftentimes confused about who is in authority. In her little toddler brain, she thinks she controls things, so we working through that. (That's a nice way to put it.) A very wise friend once told me to pick my battles and win them, and that's what we do. Or do at least 90% of the time. If anything, I need to be more proactive and prepared. I mess up the consistency thing at times, but I allow myself to believe that is a way to show Reese that I mess up and need grace as well. Reese follows right in line with the thought that kids need to know what to expect and adore consistency.

Physically, Reese is now 33 pounds which is only 3 pounds heavier than at age 2. She has leveled out and is definitely losing her baby/toddler belly and chub. She wears 3T/4T. Her hair has still not been cut for the first time, but I predict it will happen in Year 4 if the crazy curls don't grow evenly. Another positive about curly hair is that it can be wild and look okay.

One day of MDO. One Ballet/Tap/Tumble class. One morning of BSF.

Reese is learning scripture and gets so excited to recite it. I think the concept of God is beginning to become a little bit clearer in terms of His awesomeness and authority.

She is still a pretty selective eater, but the doc gave us a little strategy we are going to try pretty soon. It has to do with making a new food chart.

On to what Reese is LOVING these days...
Daniel Tiger, Sofia the First, Minnie Mouse, and Strawberry Shortcake.
PRINCESSES of all kinds. Cinderella, Ariel, Rapunzel, Tiana, Belle, Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine.
Ballerinas, dancing, music.
Play-Doh, stamps, painting.
Books, books, and more books.
Baby dolls, pretend play--picnics, bakery, etc.
Her friends.

And now for some of my favorite recent pictures of our THREE year old.

Oh, Reese, how much I love you. I choked up a bit with you this morning but didn't let you see my tears. You would have said, "Oh, Mommy. I'm sorry. It's okay. You have crying on your face." And then you would have offered me your lovie, blanket, or kitty cat.
See? I love you so so much.