Lucy at Three Years Old

Lucy,

If I could count the number of words you said each day I'm sure we'd all be amazed. You have so much to say and talk so much. There are days or afternoons when you wake up and just talk, talk talk. Your love for your baby sister Stella amazes me every day. You're so good at getting on her level and playing with her and you teach her so much. You are rarely jealous of her and are such a great big sister. You have so much energy and love doing things that are active. Swinging, laps around the house, sliding, running, hiking, and jumping are all your favorite things. One of your absolute favorite is "naked laps" where you run the circle of our house naked. Stella has started to join you for laps and your giggles are the greatest. When we go for hikes you want to walk the whole time or at least most of it. There was one hike where you literally jogged ahead of us. The other people on the trail were pretty impressed by you. You also love your sister Clara so much and are such good friends with her. You're always checking in with her, asking for her input on things or just asking her questions in general. You're concerned about her when you're not with her and will often ask where she is. You have a tendency to boss her around and tell her what to do, but luckily for you she usually goes along with it. You do about 85% of the talking between the two of you. You two are best buddies so I guess whatever dynamic you have is working out well for both of you. You're still a mama's girl and have times where you just want to snuggle and get my undivided attention. You're so sweet and loving and are such a great snuggler. You love playing with your baby dolls, doing art projects, painting, reading books, and playing "really fun games". You still complain in the car that your car seat is "too tight" from time to time and it drives me crazy! I wish you understood that it needs to be tight to keep you safe. Otherwise, I haven't seen a ton of three year old attitude from you yet. You'll get pouty when you don't get your way, but it rarely lasts too long. You're still a pro at sticking out that bottom lip. Your hair is finally getting longer and you have gorgeous curls at the ends. It's so long in the back and when it gets wet it goes pretty far down your back. Your hair is quite blonde and I'll be curious to see if it stays that way. You're still so tiny and only weight about 23 pounds. You love wearing dresses and will pout if you have to wear pants instead. It's pretty ridiculous! You've always loved the color pink but recently decided you also love teal. I think it started with the Little Mermaid, but Elsa from Frozen also loves Teal so you're sold. You love all things Princess and are such a girly girl. You love to get your hair done, dress up, get your nails painted, etc. You're a great dancer and love to twirl and spin. You've had such a great transition to preschool and hardly look back at me when I drop you off. You love to tell me about your day and always say dancing was your favorite part. You are so smart and I'm amazed at what you remember. Recently you've been asking a lot about whether we are going to go on vacation again. I guess you remember that vacation is pretty great. I don't blame you! I'm amazed at the little person you have become in the past year. You're so responsible and mature. You listen so well and behave most of the time. You love the movie Frozen and ask to watch it every day. We recently started a good job jar and you love contributing and helping pick up at night before we go upstairs in order to earn your "jewel". There have even been times when you just picked up the living room all on your own. You love singing and will sing along to familiar songs. You can sing "You are My Sunshine" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" all by yourself and it's the sweetest thing ever. We laugh that you are a rule follower. You are quick to tattle on your sister or grandparents for not doing things the way we normally do. We joke we don't have to worry about you getting away with too much while with grandparents because you always report back to us. I can't believe how fast you're growing up and changing every day. Please stay little forever!

What's your name? Lucy Rose

How old are you? Free (three)

When is your birthday? September fird (third)

How old is mommy? ummm...four

What's your favorite color? Pink and teal

What's your favorite thing to eat? umm, sandwiches 

Who is your best friend? Mama and Daddy and Stella and Clara

What's your favorite song? Itsy Bitsy Spider

What's your favorite animal? Owl and monkeys

What's are you afraid of? Uh, monster at a party

What's your favorite thing to do? Games

Where is your favorite place to go? Playground

What do you want to be when you grow up? Ariel

Clara at Three Years Old

Clara,

You really have the biggest heart. You're so thoughtful and always asking about others. You try to cheer Stella up when she's crying, "It's okay baby." You are also incredibly sensitive. I think since you love so big you hurt big too. You're really my sensitive little girl. You get upset easily and have a hard time calming down right away. Just recently we went to a Halloween party and you got scared by a boy dressed up. You were so upset and it really took a while for you to calm down. You're not loving this transition to colder weather and having to wear more clothes. You insist on taking of your jacket or sweatshirt in the car, even when it's really cold. I feel the same way about changing seasons and clothing so understand, I just wish I could reason with you a little more or help you understand it's just a part of life. You still love monkeys and reading books. I'm pretty sure you own at least 20 different stuffed monkeys by now. You'll sit for just about any story. When your grandma Becky came home with a chapter book from the library you were so excited. I'm pretty sure you would have sat through the whole thing if we were willing to read it to you. You've recently decided you like watching the movie Frozen although you went through a period where you really liked Paw Patrol. You even got a Paw Patrol Build a Bear when we went. I think being able to hear better increased your interest in the tv. Prior, you had very little interest. You are such a smart girl, and even if you sister does most of the talking for both of you I know you have all of those words and phrases too. Lucy probably talks 85% of the time when you're together. I know you're happy to let her do it so that's just your dynamic that works for you two. This fall you got tubes in your ears. Your daddy and I were so amazed by the results. Almost immediately your speech cleared up and you started talking in much longer phrases. You're so laid back most of the time and let Lucy boss you around. Occasionally you stand up to her and then she better look out! You go with her ideas most of the time but then have moments where you push back, and hard. Getting tubes definitely brought out a more feisty side of you I didn't even know existed. You got newfound confidence on the playground and with your speech. It's so fun to see you come out of your shell a little. You and Lucy have such a close friendship. You love doing laps around the house, pushing your doll strollers together, playing pretend, and fighting over things. You are the best of friends and worst of enemies sometimes. You and Lucy often spend a half hour or more talking before bed at night. I love eavesdropping on your little conversations. They often make me laugh and smile. You are such a Daddy's girl and have really got him wrapped around your little finger. You aren't always the best behaved for him, but I think that's because you know you get away with more around him. You love coloring, drawing, painting and play doh. Anything creative has your name all over it. You drew your first portrait of Daddy (of course) recently. I still consider you pretty emotionally unstable at times. You just get so upset so easily. I'm not sure if it's frustration, sensory stuff, or that you're just so emotional. Most times I can explain things to you. Addressing your feelings really does make a difference (I hear you that you're sad you didn't get a turn, etc) but there are times we aren't able to do that and you really fall apart. I always feel terrible when you get that upset, but sometimes nothing can calm you down. You just need a little time and space in order to calm down. You're not super picky about what you wear and are so nice to go along with what Lucy wants most days. You rarely put up a fight about what you are wearing. You've recently decided you love the color lime green along with purple. You got lime green moccs for your birthday and were so excited. You also love your lime green dress. Keeping it stain free is seriously a labor of love. You hair is so dark and curly. You really look so much like your daddy did at this age. When I see you two together you look like his little clone. You're not great about letting me do your hair and won't leave anything in it. I finally got you to let me use curl cream so at least it's not a crazy mess all the time. Crazy hair don't care is a phrase we say to you often. You have this one curl that grows right in the middle of your forehead. Your grandparents call it your "loose screw" and say this is what turns you into a wackadoo. You are taller and weigh more than Lucy by about an inch and 2 pounds. You're still a pretty picky eater than loves her carbs. You are getting better about trying things and decided over the summer you loved chicken. Eating meat was a big deal for you. I'm proud of you for trying more and being willing to try a "no thank you bite" most times. You love preschool and going. You are always in such a great mood when I pick you up and tell me what you did that day. You are such a great helper and really think keeping things picked up is important. You don't like messes unless they're on you while eating and then you don't seem to notice. I'm so proud of the little girl you're becoming.

What's your name? Clara

How old are you? Free (three)

When is your birthday? September fird (third)

How old is Mama? Six Mama

What's your favorite color? Lime green and purple mommy

What's your favorite food? ummm chicken mama

Who is your best friend? Lucy and Stella

What's your favorite song? Sunshine

What's your favorite animal? Monkey and owl 

What makes you scared? ...(started crying)

What makes you happy? Games and Stella

Where is your favorite place to go? School

What do you want to be when you grow up? Daddy 

Lucy and Clara at 2 1/2

I wrote this post in the beginning of May but still want to post it. The girls have changed a bit since this post, but I don't want to forget I wrote it.

Mother's Day 2016

I did an update for L & C every month of their life for the first two years. Then I stopped and haven't written anything since. I figured it was time to update on them. They've changed so much since they turned two so it seemed appropriate to do a little update on them.

Swinging on the big swings 

At the zoo

Penguins

First time bowling 

We all have a baby and carseat

New van

Family hike

A day at the beach with friends

Mama and her girls on mother's day 

Riding on the glider board with hooded towels after swim lessons

Clara- You're such a big personality. You have such a big heart and it shows every day. You're always thinking of your sister and bringing her things and will willingly share with her most times. You would hug Lucy all day long if she let you. Instead, since she often doesn't like too much affection from you, you'll push her buttons trying to touch her, especially in the car. Since you have such a big heart, you hurt big too. You are so emotional and will go from 0-10 quite quickly. You are difficult to understand sometimes and can get very frustrated. I try to work with you on your speech, but it's tough to find the time. I need to do a better job of that. If we slow down and really try to understand you most times we can. The other times Lucy can usually interpret for you. You still always love to have things in your hands. Toys, bags, snacks, accessories, books, you name it and you'll carry it around with you. You still really love your Owlie lovey and your kitty that was once your pacifier. You love baby Stella but can be a little rough with her. You also tend to get jealous when Daddy pays attention to her. You are such a Daddy's girl and always want to sit on his lap. You love watching and helping him in the kitchen and your food identification skills are quite impressive. You love books and will warm up to most people if they read to you. You're still having a hard time with your balance and coordination and recently qualified for early intervention physical therapy. We got a second opinion on your vision since you have Duane syndrome and he said glasses could help. We are waiting to meet with the first Dr to see what he says since he really has the reputation in this area as the pediatric specialist. You still love stuffed animals and especially monkeys. Your favorite color is purple and you love pushing your doll stroller. You're totally potty trained and can dress yourself with a little help. You can still be a little bit of a picky eater and you're a girl who loves her carbs. You've have two ear infections and we will get your hearing tested soon.

Snuggling with Stella before bed

On the big girl swing!

Crazy bag lady

With her Paw Patrol Build a Bear

Gymnastics

When your kid chooses bells as their toy to bring along for the day 

Lucy- When I look back on old videos it's almost hard to believe you once imitated and did everything Clara did since you are such a leader now. You definitely are the more take charge and talkative sister now. You want to be in control of yourself and Clara most times and luckily for you she goes with the flow usually. You've officially reached the point where you talk more than you're quiet you have so much to say. Some days I wonder where the off switch is since there's no stopping you. You love to play with your baby dolls, pushing them in the doll stroller and feeding them in their high chairs. You'll carry you baby around, all wrapped up, rocking and shushing it. You love your baby sister Stella and get so excited to see her. She really loves you and looks up to you so much already. You still don't love when Clara touches you, yet you'll laugh as Stella pulls your hair. You love princesses and all things girly, just like your Aunt Kate. You love the color pink and will only wear pink socks. Your hair is finally growing in and you're getting ringlet curls in the back. Your hair is still pretty light brown compared to everyone else's. You love all things active; gymnastics, walking, jumping, outdoor play, and most recently, hiking. You are much more level headed than your sister and really only have tantrums when you're tired or hungry. Most other times you can be reasoned with pretty easily. The only exception is your complaints in the car that your carseat is "too tight!" It drives your mama absolutely crazy! Your speech is pretty easy to understand and you're good about using other words or showing us when we don't understand. You are using sentences that are 10 words long pretty regularly. You're still teeny tiny and only weigh around 21 pounds. You really only fit in leggings for pants and I had to sew a bunch of your pairs of underwear to get them to fit. You're just starting to fit in size 5 toddler shoes. I was so excited I could finally buy you some pink Hunter boots to match mine. You're very kind and thoughtful and are always asking about and thinking about Clara if you're not with her. You know her favorites and how to calm her down when others can't.

Lucy and Stella

Such a peanut on the swing

She hiked the entire time and amazed me

Dinner date with mommy and Lucy 

Gymnastics

Passed out with her blue eyed baby