Last night I tucked in my 3-year-old. As I shut the door, she squealed for extra hugs. Usually a manipulations to squeeze any moment of not going to bed she can. But when she asked me to hold her tighter....all I could remember was the first night in the hospital.
A rude awakening. Looking back, the hospital stay taught me a few things. Nothing is going to go according to plan. Nothing is easy. And I knew nothing about parenting. It took me three years to learn what I could have learned from the picture above---love first. Frustrated in tears, hours after my daughter was born--I felt helpless. I had no idea what she needed. I had no idea how to get her to stop crying. Nurses came and went with a sympathetic smile. Helpless. Three years later, not much has changed. I still have no idea what I am doing---but love comes first.
How can I learn so much about the world and myself from a three-year-old. How can I admire so many traits that she already embodies. Isn't it suppose to be the other way around?
Oh what can I say about her third year. It has been a ride. For the first 6 months, I was pregnant. For the second 6 months, she was finding her new place in the family. So in so many ways this has been an amazing year and in other ways, it has presented the bigger challenges we have faced as a family.
As far as milestones are concerned:
- We are now having full conversations. Many of which include "Why?"...."Why?"...."Why?".
- Naps are a thing of the past, and this I am sad about. BUT she sleeps from about 9 pm -8 am. No issues. Bedtime is SUPER easy. The only part of the routine that is a pain is washing her hair. She HATES that.
- She can dress and undress herself. Which she does.....over and over and over and over and over. But she gets supper frustrated if something is "wrong side out". She is really into swim suits right now, and wears them almost everyday. And in the winter, she would only wear leggings and tights.
- Being big sister is different. She shows very little emotion about it. When it comes down to it, she is protective of him--but otherwise, she pretends he doesn't exist.
- Oh ya, here is a biggie----we are POTTY LEARNED (I think that is the correct term these days). She got the hang of it as soon as I stopped pushing the issue.
- Totally in a big girl bed with a big girl room.
- She still sleeps with pink bear, unicorn, big dog, mama bear, and big blue dog. Anyone else lingering gets kicked out. Oh and she likes to listen to her "boom boom" which is a sound machine that mimics the heart beat. I apologize in advance to her future husband and roommates.
- She is a decent little eater. Loves broccoli. Loves cheese. I try to be casual about food. I have my own issues when it comes to food and I don't want to project any of that on her. I don't make a huge deal about sweets but try not to make it an everyday habit. It is all about grocery shopping in my opinion. If it isn't in the house and isn't it option it is a non issue. Fruits and veggies are biggies. It is hard to get her to eat a lot of meat which is pretty much the norm for toddlers. She is being raised by two different parents with two widely different eating styles. So it is my job to be sure she ends up with a healthy and natural relationship with food.
Goals for the next year
- Conscious communication on my part (tone and volume in how I address her)
- Nighttime potty learning.
- Helping her embrace her new role in the family
- Helping her navigate the rush of emotions she experiences as a toddler (managing tantrums)
- Start having some organized learning through play.
- Read more than a book at bedtime
It is so hard to sum up an entire year in one post. I am in awe of Haley. I am grateful that God entrusted me as her mother and I am looking forward to what the future holds!
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