as i sit her to write this post with a lump in my throat and a smile on my face i am not sure where to begin. This past year for you has brought some big changes and so many milestones. It’s funny to me bc I can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened this year but you seemed to really grow up, not just your long ol legs that barely fit into size 4t pants but simply YOU. It’s almost as if you finally decided to step out of that limbo of “i want to be a baby nope i want to be a big girl” and walked gracefully into the role of big sister, protector, caregiver, & our oldest daughter.
Although it did really hit me like a ton of bricks the other day as i took you to school. Since its always such a struggle trying to carry in you, your back pack, your sleep stuff and dont forget your sister, i decided that, that day we would all WALK together, hand in hand. First i was in the middle holding your hand with my left and camdyn’s with my right, but you quickly told me that since you were a big girl now and i was a big girl already that camdyn needed to hold BOTH of our hands because she was still a baby. You very carefully walked extra slow, told her to take a biiiiig step over the puddle and even though you didnt need to you carefully bent down to her so she didnt have to stretch her “baby” arms up. it became clear to me at that moment that you were meant to be a big sister but that you had so quickly become a big girl, all in one year!
It’s funny with everyday you begin to look more and more like me but you definitly have a personality all your own! You are hilarious and sweet all in one. You have learned how to make us laugh and you have learned how to get what you want. You told daddy the other day that you were his little cupcake, and that didnt he know he was supposed to put sprinkles on his cupcakes. you even told me today not to wake you up yet when i asked why, you said bc it wasnt your birthday yet!
We have come a long way from that screaming your lungs out newborn in three short years. You still show shades of that spunk, sass, or hard-headed-ness, but whatever you call it, its you, and i adore it. I remember after months of bouncing on that exercise ball with you i prayed that you would either be a terrific toddler or one good teenager. well it looks like daddy and i are in for a treat come 15 yrs old bc you have blossomed into the most amazingly fun toddler. Like i said you still have your moments where that whiney baby comes out but they are few and far between.
You still suck your thumb at night and nap. your desire for independance has grown. You never cry when i leave you at school, infact you tell me to go run errands and hurry back. you love to go visit grammy/pappy and mimi/papa. You take your sister into the playroom and play while i cook dinner! you can hold and DO hold serious and looooong conversations with any and everyone. You can reach over the kitchen sink to wash your hands. Your vocabulary blows my mind. you still have a flair for the dramatic, and still love to dance. you have such an infectious giggle and a caring heart, anytime someone says you are beautiful/gorgeous/smart {insert any fab comment} you say” …and camdyn too”, making sure she gets a compliment too.
but despite all of this growing up there are still moments that you run to me, arms stretched out and say “mommy hold your little big girl please” or “mommy hold her” and i do, i always will. You give me the best “hold face” kisses and i cherish every single last one. sometimes i close my eyes and ask for another just so i can try to soak in the warmth of your tiny hands on my cheeks, your little baby lips against mine and that little kissing sound you always make for added drama (wink wink). I know you won’t remember these little moments addison but know, that i will never forget them.
so here we are the same day, three years ago, we were blessed with a wide eyed, dark haired, squished nose little-big girl. We love you addi b, happy 3rd birthday…
love
mommy
a quick bday storyboard….for those of you blog followers who have been anticipating this bday, i will post more later i am wiped…fyi for those of you new to my birthday parties ummm blog they are kind of crazy… this year we had an under the sea 3rd bday….after it being “announced” to me a month before the party that the underwater party HAD to have a train i did what i could to make it all fit together (see invite, hahaha)
enjoy….
What a fantastic tribute to your beautiful daughter. I cannot get over how much effort it must have taken on your part to pull this off…and during your busiest time of year! You truly are a SUPERWOMAN! All those creative details just blew me away! Thanks for sharing…..You’re an inspiration, even though never in a million years could I pull off something like that!
Happy birthday beautiful A!!! Loved reading your story Shay, and WOW on the decorating!
Reminds me so much of my almost three year old…colic, thumb sucker and now a wonderful child. And, lets not even get started about carrying a baby, toddler, sleep mat and backpack into preschool because, we too, have sadly made the walking transition! How time flies. She will love looking back one day and reading about all the wonderful things you have written about her! Glad the party was a hit! And, I love the train!
oh goodness. my eyes are watery and my heart is happy 🙂
You are a beautiful mother and those girls are so loved. you did ANOTHER amazing job with this party, friend. we had such a great time and i know addi loved every minute of it.
sorry we missed it! did she a have the best birthday ever?
LOVE this! Amazing details…and yes, they grow up too quickly…we’re going to hit this “3” milestone in the spring and I just don’t know how the time has flown!!
ohhh Happy Birthday indeed those words Shay were so beautiful ! The grow up so quickly !! – Enjoy Xmas and wonderful and inspiring work as always !
It looks like an amazing party Shaye, and your sweet big girl sounds incredibly wonderful!
i’m the one who feels like a baby, now. forget big girl status, i’m balling my face off. that was so wonderfully written. what eloquence motherhood brings to the most special mothers. i’m so grateful for meeting you this year. you captured a time in my daughter’s life that, like you said, she won’t remember, but i will never forget. tinsley’s about to embrace her third birthday next month, and i’d love for you and your girls (and hubby, too, if he’d like) to join us. it is set for jan. 23 (a saturday, so if you’re already working, i understand), but seeings how you won’t get this until jan. 10 – good for you on your break! enjoy!! – i’d be happy to drop off the invite at your house (i think i still remember how to get there… lots of stop signs… i know that much [“wink, wink”]). or, if by chance you get this before then… i need your address, please. call me (if you’ve still got my number), or email me at [email protected].
merry christmas, amazin’ fruit! 😉
peace and love,
d.d.
nevermind… i have your address already! just found it. sweet.
What a beautiful theme!!, I love it.
this made me cry. they do grow so fast.
she is an absolute doll and it looks like another fabulous party.
xo
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