My sweet Katie I continue to be more proud of you each day! You are a silent warrior against the autism that makes your life difficult, and you battle well against the toxins that are constantly forced into your body.
This year you finished Kindergarten and you just started 1st Grade. You potty trained during winter break - your biggest milestone since the autism diagnosis! You went from being confused and not understanding the process at the beginning of break to wearing underwear 100% of the time at school in just 2 weeks. An unbelievable 2 weeks later you were done with pullups and I celebrated so much for you! I do not understand why all these seemingly little things are so difficult for you, but I am SO proud of the little girl you have become and how determined you are to succeed!
You completed all your reading and math requirements at grade level in kindergarten; continuing to prove to the world that you're every bit as intelligent as I've always known you to be. You worked hard to increase muscle tone and became an avid climber all over the playground. Learning the routines of school was not very difficult for you and much to my dismay you discovered sneakiness. You are clever and observant - people often underestimate how aware you are, but I know you! I am proud of all of that that God has gifted you with, even when with it comes the added complexity of teaching you right from wrong. Sneaking back into the cafeteria to take food during recess became quite a problem last school year! It wasn't safe for you to be doing that, but despite the obvious concerns I had you showed everyone just how creative and ingenious you are! You are smart, really smart, and your awareness of the attention of others goes completely contrary to autism. You watch, you wait, you observe that moment, and then you take action. Your determination and perseverance will serve you well as you continue to grow and become the person God designed you to be.
Katie, you continue to surprise me and bring joy to my life. Being your Mommy is my #1 job and I will fight for you forever! I LOVE our kisses at bedtime; I adore how you grab my head and insist I kiss you repeatedly. I love the way you hug me and how you're working to show me that you need hugs instead of deep pressure squeezes. You have worked so hard to add words to your communication and I am amazed by the phrases that you sometimes say. Just yesterday you said, "Oh no!" It wasn't that long ago that you could not say the word "no" at all. The way you read with such accuracy and the way you guess at big words based upon the pictures makes it clear that you're comprehending it all. Your teachers have difficulty testing your comprehension; however, I've never doubted it! I love your sweet voice and listening to you read aloud. I love hearing you sing! I love that you enjoy certain routine things and insist upon what you want - using your voice to get it! I especially love hearing you pray and sing worship songs to the God who made you!!!
You are my Katie Bear and I have learned so much from you already in these 7 short years. I can't wait to see what God has in store for the next one! In spite of everything being so difficult this year you have persevered. Your ATEC score dropped from 72 to 46 in just 12 months (August). Your eye contact has improved tremendously and you respond quickly when your name is called! I no longer stand over you while you sleep and cry as I pray - I have hope! You have shown me that the things we are doing together are indeed working!
Therapies - any and all - you meet them with compliance and willingness to do your best. I am really hopeful for the biomedical therapies we're working with this year. I am thrilled that you were able to start equine therapy which I believe is actually just really fun for us both! The ABA has been great for you and I owe Dr. Dixon a debt of gratitude, and your new speech therapy seems to be working well. I don't know how you have the energy to go to school all day, do kid stuff, and complete all these therapies but I'm so happy you do! Fish Oil - I dreaded giving it to you, I don't like fishy stuff, but you have made it so easy. Just like your enzymes and medication you have never given me a reason to feel badly - thank you!
I love when we get alone time, and I'm so sorry there isn't more of it. I enjoy watching you draw objects for me, I am thrilled to catch you playing with toys, I love when you read to me, and my favorite things is to see you smile! Oh that giggle of yours - I don't hear it nearly enough, but that true giggle you have had since you were a baby brings me great joy!
Katie I know I don't get to sit and tell you all these things that you deserve to hear, but one day my hope is that you'll read these letters and know above all else I have loved you tremendously EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. of you life! When most Mommies get to snuggle and play I'm making healthy food, researching new treatments, and running you to therapies. I am so sorry I can't just play with you and our lives are no longer zoo trips and playground visits. I am so sorry that your life is so difficult and full of stress. I wish I had known when you were a baby all that I do now about antibiotics and vaccines! Even though I'm not always playing and snuggling you, I want you to know I'm fighting for your future - this looks different than the fun Mommy I planned to be, but my love for you is greater than I ever thought possible.
My dreams for your life have not changed since the moment I knew you were growing inside me. I still expect you to go to college, to love Jesus, to find a wonderful prince and get married if you desire. I hope you have babies who make you as happy as you make me! I believe in you Katie and I am SO blessed to be called Mommy by you!
I love you sweetheart. Happy 7th Birthday!
Love,
Mommy
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Juliana Sarah - 1 Year
My precious Julia you are my
special little promise from God. A beautiful bundle of energy and sweet
cuddliness is what you are made of. I desperately wanted to have one
more little baby to love and God promised me you! This year has been a
rough ride for us both, but I have hope that your next year will be
filled with more fun. You have been a perfect 3rd child; full of smiles
and giggles, and content to entertain yourself when needed. I am
delighted to watch you explore this world with such joy and amazement.
You have grown so quickly and developed skills at a remarkable pace - clearly trying to keep up with your sisters! You are running already and jumping too!!! We celebrated your birthday at a gymnastics gym where you crawled, ran, jumped on the trampoline, and tried to eat the foam blocks.
Waving bye-bye, signing for milk, saying "hi", and
You have grown so quickly and developed skills at a remarkable pace - clearly trying to keep up with your sisters! You are running already and jumping too!!! We celebrated your birthday at a gymnastics gym where you crawled, ran, jumped on the trampoline, and tried to eat the foam blocks.
Waving bye-bye, signing for milk, saying "hi", and
Friday, March 20, 2015
Caroline Josephine - 2 Year
Cara you are such a beautiful little girl so full of energy and so
bright. You are filled with such delight and joy; finding happiness in
even the littlest things. You are so adventurous and curious that you
often find trouble. I can't seem to keep you away from my water bottle.
Recently you have developed and opinion and a new sense of "self". You like to choose your own clothes, and sometimes you even successfully dress yourself. You are social, just like Mommy, and love to have playdates. Dora is your favorite show, and I think you might have a little baby crush on Diego. You also like to play with a variety of toys; everything is of interest to you! Your flashlight, little playset figures, and blocks seem to be some of your favorites.
You have grown so much this year. In March you became a big sister :) and you love "Baby" Julia so much. She is becoming a good playmate for you too. Snuggling, kisses, and hugs are some of the very best things you give freely. You have become such a cuddler both with Mommy and your sisters - I love it!
You are working on sharing, but you are extremely thoughtful. You try to comfort others, and say "Baby's crying" when Julia gets sad or hurt. You adore Katie and want to do anything she does. Just sitting in her car seat makes you so happy. She started preschool this past year and you want to go so badly too. I am sure with your social nature you would do well, but it just isn't a possibility right now. You want to grow up so fast and I can't believe that you're no longer my littlest baby.
Oh Cara you have delighted me with your smile and sweetness from the moment you entered this world. I know you're going to do great things. You are so friendly and happy - don't ever lose that spark! I love you immeasurably and I am so thankful that God has let ME be your Mommy.
Love, Mommy
October 15, 2013 12:00am
Recently you have developed and opinion and a new sense of "self". You like to choose your own clothes, and sometimes you even successfully dress yourself. You are social, just like Mommy, and love to have playdates. Dora is your favorite show, and I think you might have a little baby crush on Diego. You also like to play with a variety of toys; everything is of interest to you! Your flashlight, little playset figures, and blocks seem to be some of your favorites.
You have grown so much this year. In March you became a big sister :) and you love "Baby" Julia so much. She is becoming a good playmate for you too. Snuggling, kisses, and hugs are some of the very best things you give freely. You have become such a cuddler both with Mommy and your sisters - I love it!
You are working on sharing, but you are extremely thoughtful. You try to comfort others, and say "Baby's crying" when Julia gets sad or hurt. You adore Katie and want to do anything she does. Just sitting in her car seat makes you so happy. She started preschool this past year and you want to go so badly too. I am sure with your social nature you would do well, but it just isn't a possibility right now. You want to grow up so fast and I can't believe that you're no longer my littlest baby.
Oh Cara you have delighted me with your smile and sweetness from the moment you entered this world. I know you're going to do great things. You are so friendly and happy - don't ever lose that spark! I love you immeasurably and I am so thankful that God has let ME be your Mommy.
Love, Mommy
October 15, 2013 12:00am
Katelyn Grace - 4 Year
Katie, my sweet, sweet girl. Oh, how I love you! You have worked so hard
this year. You are an extraordinary little girl and I have such big
dreams for you.
Preschool has been a better experience than I ever could have imagined; you have learned so much. Your dedication and perseverance is inspiring. I cannot believe what a difference one year can make. We are still working hard on developing your language skills especially social language. So many other areas of development are catching up faster, but I eagerly anticipate the day we can have a conversation without struggle :) We did get confirmation that your receptive language is at or above age level. You amaze me daily.
You blew out your first ever birthday candle when we celebrated at Disney - I almost cried. We bought you a taller tricycle and you peddled so fast I was shocked. You started calling me Mommy and snuggling more than ever before. I am so proud of you! I worry and I cry over your struggles, but I have been and am always proud that you are MY Katie.
You have not struggled with Baby Julia's arrival like you did with Cara. Even Julia's crying does not seem to bother you as much. You still occasionally cover your ears, but you don't cry when it happens. You snuggle, kiss, and hold her a little. She loves you and any attention you give her delights both Julia and Mommy. You are a wonderful big sister.
I am working hard to help you with all I can. I figured out that you have a digestive system disorder. This has required a major change in diet, and you have handled these changes with such grace and acceptance. In May you stopped consuming casein, the protein in milk, your very favorite nutrient since you stopped nursing. In July your diet went gluten-free. Since then I have removed corn, bananas, and a number of other foods containing high amounts of salicylic acid from your diet. Everyday you do something new and seem increasingly clear and focused. But even before all these dietary changes you were always working hard and I could already see great accomplishment.
I pray for you all the time and have great vision for your life. This has been a year of hope and the start of healing. I dream of the day you stand before an audience and share your testimony that is your life story. God loves you so very much little one, and He put you here with a very special purpose. I love you too and I believe in you :) Happy belated Birthday!
Love, Mommy
October 14, 2014 12:00am
Preschool has been a better experience than I ever could have imagined; you have learned so much. Your dedication and perseverance is inspiring. I cannot believe what a difference one year can make. We are still working hard on developing your language skills especially social language. So many other areas of development are catching up faster, but I eagerly anticipate the day we can have a conversation without struggle :) We did get confirmation that your receptive language is at or above age level. You amaze me daily.
You blew out your first ever birthday candle when we celebrated at Disney - I almost cried. We bought you a taller tricycle and you peddled so fast I was shocked. You started calling me Mommy and snuggling more than ever before. I am so proud of you! I worry and I cry over your struggles, but I have been and am always proud that you are MY Katie.
You have not struggled with Baby Julia's arrival like you did with Cara. Even Julia's crying does not seem to bother you as much. You still occasionally cover your ears, but you don't cry when it happens. You snuggle, kiss, and hold her a little. She loves you and any attention you give her delights both Julia and Mommy. You are a wonderful big sister.
I am working hard to help you with all I can. I figured out that you have a digestive system disorder. This has required a major change in diet, and you have handled these changes with such grace and acceptance. In May you stopped consuming casein, the protein in milk, your very favorite nutrient since you stopped nursing. In July your diet went gluten-free. Since then I have removed corn, bananas, and a number of other foods containing high amounts of salicylic acid from your diet. Everyday you do something new and seem increasingly clear and focused. But even before all these dietary changes you were always working hard and I could already see great accomplishment.
I pray for you all the time and have great vision for your life. This has been a year of hope and the start of healing. I dream of the day you stand before an audience and share your testimony that is your life story. God loves you so very much little one, and He put you here with a very special purpose. I love you too and I believe in you :) Happy belated Birthday!
Love, Mommy
October 14, 2014 12:00am
Caroline Josephine - 1 Year
My Cara, my sweet bundle of
joy-filled energy. You keep me moving and challenge everything I ever
thought I knew about babies and parenting. This has been one busy year
for us! You did not stay still very long that is for sure. During your
6th month you learned how to sit, crawl, pull up, and cruise around
furniture; during your 8th month you began walking all by yourself! My
little one year old, you are the fastest moving toddler in town! Your
agility and speed puts all your peers to shame. You're already jumping
while holding the side of your crib, or holding my hands on the
trampoline. I can tell you are going to do great things and you are
going to do them FAST!
You excel at so many things! I cannot believe just how talented and friendly you are. The first week after you were born you were already making eye-contact with people and smiling. Our dog Barkley has become your close buddy; both because you give him attention and treats and because he makes you giggle so hard even when he knocks you over. I believe you two are well matched in energy! People are drawn to your squirmy silliness, and they love your beautiful blonde hair and brilliant smile. You are a very special little girl, and I am so proud to call you my daughter!
I have spent much of this year exhausted, since you do not sleep though the night even still. Cara, we have got to change that in the next year! I do sometimes really enjoy our 2am snuggles and I know the day will come when I'll miss them terribly. At the moment I would like to take a break and sleep for a few nights. You are determined to get things when you want them and the way you want them ... you are loud! I love your determination and the fact that you're not willing to settle for anything (so much like your Mommy). You may have to change your methods over time, but don't ever lose that self confidence or certainty and decisiveness! To be so young and know who you are is a rare and wonderful thing.
I pray for amazing things in your future and for God to draw you to Himself. I have asked Him to let you choose Him the first chance you get, and for His will to be yours. Every night I pray for your safety; for Him to hold you close and protect you. With your adventurous spirit His protection over your life is SO important! I have watched Him rescue you from falling down our stairs, keep your head from making contact with countless objects, and He has alerted me when I've needed to intervene when you were doing some kind of dangerous climbing maneuver. You are my "little monkey"; your balance and fearless endeavors keep me in awe.
You have learned so much this year! In addition to being a little monkey you have learned some baby sign language and you are talking. You yell "MaMa" when you want me. You have learned to sign for "milk" and "more", but most recently you learned to sign "sorry" and even used it correctly yesterday when I was scolding you for shrieking. You LOVE to clap and smile! You wave "bye-bye" but prefer even more to wave "hi" (even to complete strangers at the opposite end of the aisle in the grocery store). You crave social interaction and draw people to you.
It's a funny thing having two children. While I was pregnant with you I loved you, but I had this terrible feeling that I could not love another baby the way I loved Katie. But then, YOU were put in my arms and as I kissed your for the first time I whispered to you "I love you as much as I love Katie" and I meant every word of it. When you meet your baby for the first time you love them and as each day passes you love them more. The moment I laid eyes on you I KNEW I loved you EXACTLY the same as I loved Katie in that moment! It's a beautiful thing, love ... God always gives you more. The love I have for you now is even greater than it was the day you were born! I expect it will continue to grow forever.
Sweet Caroline I adore your outgoing personality and adventurous nature. You keep me busy and often exhaust me, but I wouldn't want you to be anything or anyone else. You are exactly as God made you to be and you are my "Starshine". On my most difficult day I can look into your beautiful blue eyes and see that sparkle of life; your smile melts my heart. I am proud to be your Mommy and I look forward to all the silly and wonderful things you will bring into my life. I know you are going to be an incredible big sister - loving and caring, and excited to show the baby the entire world. Like Katie you will also be a big sister worth looking up to, and I am so excited to see all the adventures you will have with your little brother or sister.
I love you so much! I feel so blessed that God has allowed me to "borrow" you from Him. I love being your Mommy; your squirmy silliness brings a lightheartedness to my life that I so very much need. You have worked your way so deep into my heart that even when I'm away from you for a couple hours I ache to snuggle you and kiss your head. I am so thankful that I get to spend everyday with you and I look forward to the adventures you will be taking me on in the years ahead. You are my sweet Carabear and I love you, possibly more than you'll ever know! Happy 1st Birthday little girl.
Love, Mommy
September 9, 2012 5:05pm
You excel at so many things! I cannot believe just how talented and friendly you are. The first week after you were born you were already making eye-contact with people and smiling. Our dog Barkley has become your close buddy; both because you give him attention and treats and because he makes you giggle so hard even when he knocks you over. I believe you two are well matched in energy! People are drawn to your squirmy silliness, and they love your beautiful blonde hair and brilliant smile. You are a very special little girl, and I am so proud to call you my daughter!
I have spent much of this year exhausted, since you do not sleep though the night even still. Cara, we have got to change that in the next year! I do sometimes really enjoy our 2am snuggles and I know the day will come when I'll miss them terribly. At the moment I would like to take a break and sleep for a few nights. You are determined to get things when you want them and the way you want them ... you are loud! I love your determination and the fact that you're not willing to settle for anything (so much like your Mommy). You may have to change your methods over time, but don't ever lose that self confidence or certainty and decisiveness! To be so young and know who you are is a rare and wonderful thing.
I pray for amazing things in your future and for God to draw you to Himself. I have asked Him to let you choose Him the first chance you get, and for His will to be yours. Every night I pray for your safety; for Him to hold you close and protect you. With your adventurous spirit His protection over your life is SO important! I have watched Him rescue you from falling down our stairs, keep your head from making contact with countless objects, and He has alerted me when I've needed to intervene when you were doing some kind of dangerous climbing maneuver. You are my "little monkey"; your balance and fearless endeavors keep me in awe.
You have learned so much this year! In addition to being a little monkey you have learned some baby sign language and you are talking. You yell "MaMa" when you want me. You have learned to sign for "milk" and "more", but most recently you learned to sign "sorry" and even used it correctly yesterday when I was scolding you for shrieking. You LOVE to clap and smile! You wave "bye-bye" but prefer even more to wave "hi" (even to complete strangers at the opposite end of the aisle in the grocery store). You crave social interaction and draw people to you.
It's a funny thing having two children. While I was pregnant with you I loved you, but I had this terrible feeling that I could not love another baby the way I loved Katie. But then, YOU were put in my arms and as I kissed your for the first time I whispered to you "I love you as much as I love Katie" and I meant every word of it. When you meet your baby for the first time you love them and as each day passes you love them more. The moment I laid eyes on you I KNEW I loved you EXACTLY the same as I loved Katie in that moment! It's a beautiful thing, love ... God always gives you more. The love I have for you now is even greater than it was the day you were born! I expect it will continue to grow forever.
Sweet Caroline I adore your outgoing personality and adventurous nature. You keep me busy and often exhaust me, but I wouldn't want you to be anything or anyone else. You are exactly as God made you to be and you are my "Starshine". On my most difficult day I can look into your beautiful blue eyes and see that sparkle of life; your smile melts my heart. I am proud to be your Mommy and I look forward to all the silly and wonderful things you will bring into my life. I know you are going to be an incredible big sister - loving and caring, and excited to show the baby the entire world. Like Katie you will also be a big sister worth looking up to, and I am so excited to see all the adventures you will have with your little brother or sister.
I love you so much! I feel so blessed that God has allowed me to "borrow" you from Him. I love being your Mommy; your squirmy silliness brings a lightheartedness to my life that I so very much need. You have worked your way so deep into my heart that even when I'm away from you for a couple hours I ache to snuggle you and kiss your head. I am so thankful that I get to spend everyday with you and I look forward to the adventures you will be taking me on in the years ahead. You are my sweet Carabear and I love you, possibly more than you'll ever know! Happy 1st Birthday little girl.
Love, Mommy
September 9, 2012 5:05pm
Katelyn Grace - 3 Year
My sweet oh so lovable Katie, where do I begin? This has been our most
challenging year! You had to adjust to a new baby sister and I
discovered you were struggling to learn language skills. I am SO proud
of the way you accepted Cara! You may not have always wanted to hold her
and you covered your ears a lot when she cried, but you have always
been kind to her. You are a wonderful big sister and I can tell you have
lots of love in your heart to share! Everyday I thank God for you and I
am so grateful that I get to be your Mommy.
I have struggled, maybe even more than you have, with your language delay. I spent many nights rubbing your head while you slept and crying over you. Expressing yourself should not be this hard, and it's unfair that you're having such a difficult time right now. I pray often that it all suddenly "clicks" for you and that this difficulty you're experiencing is short lived. You are incredibly intelligent! and that is something nobody (not even your speech, language, or developmental therapists) have ever questioned. You are definitely the smartest 3 year old I know! I have faith in your work ethic and determination that you will persevere and learn to use expressive language to do great things someday!
This year has been more hectic than I ever expected, but you amaze me daily. Your language issues have just helped me to slow down and enjoy all the little things you do well. For example a couple weeks ago you called me "Mommy" for the 1st time and I wanted to cry tears of joy (I held it in because I didn't want to upset you). You sing worship songs with great enthusiasm, have begun praying a little, and can recite the Lord's prayer perfectly. You began preschool this week and you are doing so well! You are not particularly social, especially with other kids, but you're learning a lot about being a part of a group and following classroom rules. You do not tell me if you had a good day or what you did at school, but you are smiling when I pick you up and you seem so pleased to be a big girl doing school with other kids. You have begun making the most beautiful artwork this past month. I love your art projects more than anything I could buy in a store or find in a museum. Last week you drew with markers on a giant piece of paper circles (that you announced were circles) and scribble lines. It's so bright and colorful; hanging proudly on the refrigerator. At preschool you glued strips of colored paper on a black cutout bird, and I am certain your bird was the prettiest bird in the whole class!
This year you have learned to count to 30 (all by yourself and sometimes up to 100 with help), and you can count up to 20 objects at a time. You can hear a word and tell me what the first letter of the word is. You have begun sounding out 3 letter words and actually read the word "HOT" the other day all by yourself! Your puzzle skills are amazing; doing 12 piece puzzles with no trouble and working on 24 piece ones with just a bit of help. You love anything with letters and/or numbers! Learning new things makes you so happy and fills my heart with joy. Your pre-academic skills are equal to that of much older children, and again I am so proud of you!
You have learned how to pull t-shirts on once I have placed them on your head. You can sometimes put your shorts on alone, but often 2 legs end up in one hole. You learned how to buckle your Velcro sandals on your own, and when you're willing you can actually put your own shoes on entirely by yourself. You taught yourself how to turn door knobs and open doors a couple weeks ago. Humorously, this resulted in every puzzle we own being dumped out on the hallway floor one morning while I was working in the basement. You can drink a little from a regular cup, but you still prefer a sippy cup (and for convenience reasons so do I). At preschool you are learning how to drink from a regular cup and so far I have not picked you up with a soaking wet t-shirt, so it must be going pretty well. You are growing up so fast and it seems this past year I blinked and you were already doing so many big girl things.
I almost cannot believe that these 3 years have passed already! You will always be my baby but I know you are definitely not really a baby anymore. You have a joy for life that I have never seen in anyone and even the simplest of things makes you happy. You have never been anything less than a blessing to my life, and I am still in awe of what an amazing little girl God has gifted me with! I love you more everyday and I couldn't imagine life without you. I have said it before and I'll say it forever ... my best day before having you was still not as good as my most difficult day with you! I love you Katers! and I ALWAYS will!!! You are my super-girl and my first wish! Happy 3rd Birthday little one! I know God has great things in store for you and I'm so excited to be joining you on this adventure.
Love, Mommy
September 9, 2012 4:10pm
I have struggled, maybe even more than you have, with your language delay. I spent many nights rubbing your head while you slept and crying over you. Expressing yourself should not be this hard, and it's unfair that you're having such a difficult time right now. I pray often that it all suddenly "clicks" for you and that this difficulty you're experiencing is short lived. You are incredibly intelligent! and that is something nobody (not even your speech, language, or developmental therapists) have ever questioned. You are definitely the smartest 3 year old I know! I have faith in your work ethic and determination that you will persevere and learn to use expressive language to do great things someday!
This year has been more hectic than I ever expected, but you amaze me daily. Your language issues have just helped me to slow down and enjoy all the little things you do well. For example a couple weeks ago you called me "Mommy" for the 1st time and I wanted to cry tears of joy (I held it in because I didn't want to upset you). You sing worship songs with great enthusiasm, have begun praying a little, and can recite the Lord's prayer perfectly. You began preschool this week and you are doing so well! You are not particularly social, especially with other kids, but you're learning a lot about being a part of a group and following classroom rules. You do not tell me if you had a good day or what you did at school, but you are smiling when I pick you up and you seem so pleased to be a big girl doing school with other kids. You have begun making the most beautiful artwork this past month. I love your art projects more than anything I could buy in a store or find in a museum. Last week you drew with markers on a giant piece of paper circles (that you announced were circles) and scribble lines. It's so bright and colorful; hanging proudly on the refrigerator. At preschool you glued strips of colored paper on a black cutout bird, and I am certain your bird was the prettiest bird in the whole class!
This year you have learned to count to 30 (all by yourself and sometimes up to 100 with help), and you can count up to 20 objects at a time. You can hear a word and tell me what the first letter of the word is. You have begun sounding out 3 letter words and actually read the word "HOT" the other day all by yourself! Your puzzle skills are amazing; doing 12 piece puzzles with no trouble and working on 24 piece ones with just a bit of help. You love anything with letters and/or numbers! Learning new things makes you so happy and fills my heart with joy. Your pre-academic skills are equal to that of much older children, and again I am so proud of you!
You have learned how to pull t-shirts on once I have placed them on your head. You can sometimes put your shorts on alone, but often 2 legs end up in one hole. You learned how to buckle your Velcro sandals on your own, and when you're willing you can actually put your own shoes on entirely by yourself. You taught yourself how to turn door knobs and open doors a couple weeks ago. Humorously, this resulted in every puzzle we own being dumped out on the hallway floor one morning while I was working in the basement. You can drink a little from a regular cup, but you still prefer a sippy cup (and for convenience reasons so do I). At preschool you are learning how to drink from a regular cup and so far I have not picked you up with a soaking wet t-shirt, so it must be going pretty well. You are growing up so fast and it seems this past year I blinked and you were already doing so many big girl things.
I almost cannot believe that these 3 years have passed already! You will always be my baby but I know you are definitely not really a baby anymore. You have a joy for life that I have never seen in anyone and even the simplest of things makes you happy. You have never been anything less than a blessing to my life, and I am still in awe of what an amazing little girl God has gifted me with! I love you more everyday and I couldn't imagine life without you. I have said it before and I'll say it forever ... my best day before having you was still not as good as my most difficult day with you! I love you Katers! and I ALWAYS will!!! You are my super-girl and my first wish! Happy 3rd Birthday little one! I know God has great things in store for you and I'm so excited to be joining you on this adventure.
Love, Mommy
September 9, 2012 4:10pm
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