Happy 3rd Birthday, Abigail!

Dear Abigail,

Oh, my precious girl.  You are three.  Three wonderful years have come and gone so quickly, and I find myself frantically asking myself, "I only get 15 more years of this?!?!"  You are such a gift.  You are our dream come true.  Here are some things I want to always remember about you at this tender age.

YOUR BIG HEART!!!

You have such a big heart and tender spirit!  You have so much love spilling over, that you have several close "friends" who are the constant recipients of your love!  Rosie, Baa, "Big Bird", Cheer Bear, Mickey and Minnie are your favorite friends.  (Note- "Big Bird" is the large Minnie Mouse.  I have no idea why you call her Big Bird, but you insist we all do as well!)  You take your friends on picnics in the game room, serve them tea, and read them millions of books.  You're such a good little Mama!

But there's noone you love more than your sister!  You are fiercely protective, loyal, and tender-hearted towards your little sister.  When she's fussing in her crib before I can get to her, you run in to comfort her, bringing your beloved Rosie to share.  I hear you say things like, "It's okay!  Mommy's coming!  Deep breaths, calm down...!"  This morning as we headed to MOPS the first time, I had expressed concern about Gianna's not being afraid or upset during childcare.  In the car, I heard you praying.  I looked back and you had your hands folded, head bowed, and were fervently praying, "Dear God.  Please take care of Gianna and help her not be upset and know that you are there and Mommy will be there soon.  Amen."  Be still my heart!

 YOU are ACTIVE!!!!

You never stop!  And the things you can do are pretty impressive!  You love ballet and gymnastics.  You can do the splits (middle), an amazing straddle jump on the trampoline, donkey kicks and you're working on your cartwheels and handstands! Woah!

When we signed you up for gymnastics, there was a summer camp going on.  We watched the big kids from the observation deck and it was amazing.  I felt like I was at the Olympics.  I ooh'ed and ahh'ed and you were transfixed.  On the way home you were silent.  You didn't say a word about what you saw.  I was a bit concerned that I'd signed you up before you were ready, but the minute we got home, you ran to your room, put on your leotard, ran to the game room and began attempting all the tricks you'd seen!  You asked me to youtube backwards rolls and you practiced and practiced!  (You've almost got it!)  The same reaction occurred when you watched Gabby Dougless's 2012 Olympics routine.  You were so inspired!

PRESCHOOL!!!

We've begun a loose preschool curriculum at home.  It gives a nice structure to our day and I love seeing your ahh-ha moments!  We're working on fine motor skills (mostly to build muscles to develop a pencil grip) and 0-5 number recognition.  We do lots of sensory exploration, and you're helping me teach Gianna her colors!  You love, love, love, love, love jigsaw puzzles- and you're crazy good at them!  You can do 48 piece puzzles with intricate borders.  The most impressive part is your intense focus while doing a puzzle.  You zone everything else out, and are attentive only to your puzzle for a solid 20 minutes.  It's eerily impressive!

1) Sorting toys by color, 2) stringing cheerios on spaghetti, 3) creating ladybugs with chocolate chips by number
4) Working on a pencil grip, 5) Washing the baby- your favorite sensory activity, 6) PUZZLES!!!

Other LOVES and "ABIGAIL-ISMS"!

When interviewing you for a "I'm 3"-questionnaire, I asked you, "Who's your best friend?"  You said, "DADDY."  It's easy to see why!

 DRESSING UP!!!!  You're forever changing clothes and pulling everything out!  The good thing is you've figured out where everything goes, and when I do your laundry, you get it out of the drier and put it all away!

You've got style.

I wish I could capture your absolute joy for life!  Your spirit is so ALIVE and joy-filled!  Your laugh is contagious and you lift all of our spirits up!

Other LIKES:

• Raw vegetables.  Cucumbers, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes are you favorites.  When I give you a sandwich with your veggies, you always eat your veggies first- then maybe your sandwich.
• Books- your favorites are "Going on a Bear Hunt", "Angelina's Birthday", "Corduroy", and anything you can quickly memorize!  You love to read to your sister and stuffed animals!
• Sign language- we got some DVDs for Gianna and you're so into them!  You've got about 40 signs, including library, helicopter, Jesus, doctor, motorcycle, and police officer!
• Tormenting the chickens.  You find ways- dump water on their head, throw leaves or their food at them.... every time you run away hysterical with laughter.  We're working on it.  :)
• Collecting the chicken eggs!  You go out and do it all by yourself!  Such a big girl!
• Walking like a big girl at the store!  No more cart for you!

This day is coming all too soon!

Using your pipe cleaner rosary you made!

Your INSULTS!
When you're really mad at me, you yell, "I hope you go to the doctor and get a SHOT!!!" or, my personal favorite, "I hope you go to the beach and put your FACE in the water!!!"  HAHAHA!  Love that these are the worst things you can imagine!

One of many faces you treat us to!

Quotes:

• "Aminals", "Yesserary", and my personal favorite "Crack-eroni".  (I'm inclined to agree with that one!)
• Me: "Blessed Chiara, pray for us. Saint Gianna, pray for us..."  Abigail: "Saint Mommy, pray for us!"
• While playing doctor: "I'm Doctor Seuss!  Want a shot?"
• Me: "Abigail, why is the toilet paper all wet?"  Abigail: "Oh...oh...oh...it's wet because...it's not dry."
• While "cooking" in your kitchen: "I'll add some sea salt.  Mommy, do you know sea salt?  Sea salt is one of my favorite things."
• After learning grapes turn into raisins: "Mommy!  Let's put this (almond) outside and it will turn into a STRAWBERRY!!!"
• "You want to hold me?  I'm so precious to you."
• "I want a sandwich, please.  Peanut butter, avocado, and tuna."
• After being asked how girls and boys are different: "Well boys...don't do anything."
• Abigail: (randomly) "Remember Jesus?  He died on cross."  Me: "That's right.  He died for Abigail, so you can go to Heaven."  Abigail- reflecting on this: "I want to go to Disney World."

It's been an interesting year for hair!  Mommy's working hard to learn how to care for your hair!

Every once in a while, you conk out!

Sleeping beauty!  My love!

 Our nightly song:
"I love you, baby Abigail, you are my dream come true!
and all the time I hoped and prayed, the holy Father knew...
that you would be my daughter, that I would be your Mom.  (kiss, kiss)
And Abigail, my Abigail, to my heart you belong!

I love you, baby girl.  Happy 3rd birthday!