Piper's World: June 2013

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