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Carlee 3.0

December 8th, 2011

Dear Carlee,

I really can’t believe you are 3 years old.  THREE. And yet, I look back at pictures of you from this time last year and I think of how much you’ve grown.  You got rid of your “dinky” a long long time ago, and ever since then, you’ve been working hard on speaking just like your older brother and sister.  Really I should be counting the words that you still say like a baby, instead of the words you say clearly.

When you count, you like to skip 13 and 15.  Colby did this too and now he’s a pro at math, so don’t worry.  You’re still not a good sleeper.  I’m hoping that one day I’ll snap my fingers correctly and you’ll love and adore sleep as much as your poor ol’ mom.

I cannot wait to see you with this little sister of yours.  I know you’re going to take such great care of her and help me with her.  You can’t stop kissing my belly and talking to her.  (*not sure if that’s because my belly hits you in the head sometimes – so sorry about that!*)

I LOVE that you are starting to do things for yourself – like brushing your teeth (even though we still help you half the time – we still help Colby & Kennedy too), getting dressed, helping to put away dishes, and going potty.  All of those really help your pregnant mom get out of the house with some sanity.  Now if I can only get you to wear shoes when we leave the house…  And up until this week, it was okay to leave the house barefooted because it was 100 degrees outside for the longest time.

You love to argue with me and tell me NO.  But I figure that comes with being 3.  I don’t like being told NO any more than you do.  You love to draw and color pictures, especially on Colby’s homework or important papers that you’re not supposed to be able to reach – even though the drawing paper is within your fingertip reach.

Since your daddy has started playing drums again, you have taken to listening to him at the beginning of church and then when the sermon starts, he will take you to Sunday school.  Correction – you want to run to him up on the stage so he can take you to Sunday school.  You act as if you haven’t seen your daddy for days at a time!  But your daddy really does love it. And you love love your daddy.

The thing I’m most proud of is your love for books.  I love that you love reading and memorizing those sing-song patterns (like in Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See?).  Of course, when you read a book 100 times, it’s no wonder that it gets stuck in your brain.  I am only kidding, of course.

I know it’s not supposed to be so evident at a young age, but I am beginning to see that your love language is quality time.  Because you don’t want to be away from me or your daddy or your siblings.  And that hasn’t changed since you were born.  I’m happy to oblige in this.  That’s why you get to do some special things that your siblings haven’t – because you know what privileges are and how to work them in your favor.  You’re no dummy.  Except when you decided to cut your own hair a few weeks ago.  Thankfully I walked in before you did much damage, and admittedly, your daddy really likes what you did with your hair – but don’t tell him I told you.

I could write and write for days about the things I love about you, especially your laugh, your beautiful blue eyes and your red hair. I know I’ve written this before, but I wasn’t sure if I could love a second little girl in our family.  Now I can’t imagine not loving you.  You are still very strong-willed, and there’s things that you do that I don’t like – at all.  But I do love you and will always love you, no matter what.

Be a sweet girl, Carlee.

Love, Mom.

Entry Filed under: Carlee, Faith, Family, Life