On our own

Dan went back to work this week, so it's just the ladies!  This is Piper living wild at Target.   Crazy days ahead (assuming we're able to get everyone dressed and out the door...)

Our little Thomas

Piper and Teagan

 

Playmat

Our next door neighbors gave us a playmat.  Piper thoroughly enjoys doing performances on it.

(In this video you might notice our new hardwood floors and the incomplete fireplace.)

Big Sis

Good day at daycare

Daddy's home from Europe!

Miss you

For daddy:  hard to understand but she's saying she loves and misses you!

Dear Piper, take three

Dear Piper,

Oh my goodness, you are three years old today!  I cannot believe how fast you are growing.  You are a small child now, not a baby or toddler anymore.  We are amazed by the person you have become.  You continue to have more and more of your own personality (although, to be honest, you've always had your own personality, even when you were just a few days old!). 

Today for your birthday we had a very fun celebration.  I woke you up by walking into your room with about 20 helium-filled balloons, several of which were Thomas themed.  Daddy is in Europe right now, but Betsy is here to help you celebrate.  You had breakfast from a Thomas plate and bowl, perched on a Thomas placemat, while drinking from a Thomas cup and sipping from a Thomas water bottle.  You wiped your mouth with a Thomas napkin and applied temporary Thomas tattoos to your hands and arms.  (These are all things Daddy got for you before he left.)  (Tonight we also had Thomas cupcakes; as you might imagine, they turned your little face blue.) 

After breakfast we went to the aquarium at the Mall of America and rode the rides.  Grandma came with us and rode the train with you.  Your gift from Mommy and Daddy was a dollhouse, and you were excited to see it all set up in your room tonight.  Daddy tried all day to FaceTime with us, so he could say happy birthday in person, but our timing was always off.  He left a voicemail for you to hear.  He's no doubt been thinking about you all day.  He even hitched a ride into town from the small monestary where he is staying so that he could find some internet access.  You are very loved indeed.

What can I say about the past year?  You are so curious and crave stimulation - new experiences, new information, new friends, new challenges.  Your vocabulary has exploded.  Your counting and reasoning skills are so much more advanced.  Oftentimes it's like talking to a very small adult when you're in the room.  A goofy, funny, creative, wild small adult.  And also a small adult who occasionally has a few temper tantrums. ;) 

The last few months have been full of excitement, because in a two months you'll take on a new and special role:  big sister.  Your baby sister will be born, and you're excited but perhaps a bit uncertain.  We're optimistic that she'll grow on you.  And we know she'll be so lucky to have you in her life. 

And what will you be able to teach her?  So much!  This past year you learned so many things, I'm not even sure where to start.  You can put on your own shoes, ride a tricycle (with a few helpful pushes), POTTY!!!.  You potty trained in one long weekend (Memorial Day).  You're navigating through your life so easily and with such energy, passion and efficiency.  You'll be an excellent role model and I believe you'll set a high standard and push your sister to follow in your footsteps.

Of course, we see your brilliance every day in so much of what you do.  But our favorite thing to see is the development of your sense of humor and your creativity.  You are a nutty little engine!  You assign us all engine names each day, and you refer to all of your body parts as engine parts (wheels = hands/feet, cab = body, funnel = head, roof = hood of sweatshirt or jacket). 

You LOVE it when we make up stories about every day things and experiences, and you've started to make some up too!  All day long when something happens, you say "Can you tell a story about that?"  We tell stories in the car, at the table, on the potty, and always before bed.  When we encourage you to tell one, you warn us that it will be a short one, because you're small :)  And it is, but it's always a good one!  You've also started telling jokes (and requesting that we tell them), which is really fun.  Most of them are about trains, but some are of the knock-knock variety.

As you get older, it's so fun to do new things with you!  One thing that you did this year, a few times, was have a Daddy/daughter day!  Daddy would stay home from work with you, and would take you to visit me at work and then to the Mall of America!  And speaking of Daddy/daughter, you continue to look just like your Daddy as you grow up.

At three years old, you are so unique and such a loving, kind, smart and ambitious girl.  We have had another fantastic year with you, and are thankful for you today and every day.  We sometimes can't believe that we made you - you're so cool!  Thank you for more great memories and moments.  You're brave and bold, and you inspire us.

With so much love in our hearts,
Mom and Dad

Luggage spins

This is what passes for fun at our house :). Dan is prepping for his European adventure...

Princess tutu

Still diggin' the look!

Dance party

This kid is such a nutter.

You can't really tell in this picture, but she's wearing a leotard and tutu that Paula and Nina sent her in the mail.  (Plus Thomas the Train underpants.)

And rockin' out to national anthems from the Smart Globe.

Tricycle!

Finally, Spring!

We had an endless winter this year and have only seen 70 degree weather in the last couple days.  Now that it's here, we are taking full advantage of it.  Last night, after getting into pajamas after bath time, Laura and Piper ran around the yard and swingset while I cooked up some hot dogs on the grill.

 

The early evening sunshine necessitated cool shades, of course.

Unfortunately, today is rainy.  Along with the turn in weather, Piper has some sort of virus that kept her home from daycare (and me home from work).  The doc didn't diagnose anything, and we're hoping the bug (and rain) will clear out soon.

Night with daddy

Tonight while I get my hair done Piper is home with her dad. They sent me this picture in a text message. I love them :)

Tug of War

Piper's new favorite game.  We think it might be Hero's too, but we can't tell for sure if he loves or hates it...

Big sister

In September Piper will welcome her new baby sister into the world!  Can you imagine, two of them?  Our home might explode with joy.

Builder

Lately, Piper has enjoyed building a 'dining room' around herself with her blocks. She's actually quite good at building herself in.  We're not sure why it's a 'dining room' (vs a castle, fort, house, etc.?) but we just go with it.

Bathtime fun

More candy!

Happy Easter!

Easter Egg Hunt

Friday morning, we went to an Easter egg hunt in Champlin.  We got there just as the starting gun went off.  It was a wild flurry of kids and snow, but Piper managed to get her hands on just enough candy stuffed eggs to satisfy her cravings for at least a few days.

Mad Scientist

Favorite pastime

One of Piper's favorite ways to spend some time is sitting with Daddy at the computer, looking at pictures and watching videos of herself :)  Thank goodness there are so many!

Snowy day

Yesterday Piper and Daddy had a snow day together!  The University was closed due to weather so Dan was able to stay home.  They had a great day playing, painting pictures, and reading books.  I was fortunate to be able to work from home, so although I couldn't join in the festivities, at least I could hear them taking place!

My Superheroes

Hammin' it up in the highchair

 

A Message for Grandpa

Tuesday evening, before I went back to the hospital, Laura suggested that Piper make a video I could play for Bub.  When I asked Piper what she wanted to tell Grandpa, this is what she said:

Goodbyes

 It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that we said goodbye to Piper's Grandpa today.  This is such a loss for the entire family and beyond, but here I wanted to take a moment to commemorate the love between granddaughter and grandfather.  Bub holds a very special place in Piper's heart.  He was ill during much of her early babyhood, but once he was released from the hospital and into her world he made quite an impression :)  She loved to interact with him, and he sat patiently with her for hours on end playing whatever her game of the moment was.  He was wonderful at being silly with her.  She inherited his passion for trains, and the two shared that bond.  He always called her his 'little angel'.  Now he is her angel.  Grandpa angels have a very busy job up in Heaven - I know he will always be looking out for her.

Piper, you are not yet old enough to understand, but someday you will be.  And I want you to know that we're so happy that you had that special time getting to know Grandpa, and we're very, truly sorry for your loss.