Happy Birthday Big Girl!!

Tori,

Where has the time gone? It feels like just yesterday I was holding a tiny newborn in my arms. You have grown from a tiny, helpless, adorable newborn baby, to an independant, spirited, and beautiful 3 year old. You are such a joy to me. Though you are often a challenge, I still love every minute I spend with you. A year ago I would have written all the new words you were saying, or all the milestones you had hit, but this year I have watched your little personality begin to form. This past year has been a year of discovery and wonder as you find out who you are, and how things work.  You have stopped asking "what" questions and started asking "why."

You are an encourager. You tell the people around you what is good about them. You say "good job" and you say things in a way that builds others up.

You have such an amazing imagination. You play make-believe, and dress-up more than anything else.

You love to dance and sing, but you are a little shy to perform for anyone but Mommy and Daddy.

You have finally started to pose for the camera, but only when you want to.

You make conscious decisions between right and wrong, and accept the consequences of your actions.

You are learning to ride your tricycle

You can officially draw a smiley face

You hate it when Mommy or Daddy is sad, and always know how to make us smile

You love your animals: Mya, Sam, and Bella

Your favorite bedtime song is "All the Pretty Little Horses" AKA Hush-a-bye-bye

You love to read books with Mommy

You are almost fully potty trained (minus nighttime which will come with time)

You have pretty good rhythm for a 3 year old, and you love to dance!!

You're cute and you know it!! "I'm a cutie"

We love you big girl!! Happy Birthday!!

O sweet Tori, why won't you sleep?

Dear Tori,

 Lately you are driving me crazy! I love you very much and as much as I would like to spend my entire day playing with you, I can't! Can you imagine what our house would look like if I just played with you all day and never cleaned the house, or did laundry?? Do you know how grumpy you are when you don't get a nap? I wish that your little almost 3 year old mind could understand how important it is for you to take a nap. I know the world is so intriguing and you don't want to miss a thing, but I promise little one you aren't going to miss anything by taking a nap!! You have so much time to discover the world and to experience new things. You will feel so much happier if your body gets the rest it needs. I do my very best to be a good mommy. We always read a book, then I put you in your bed with your bunny, and cover you up with your favorite blankets, and rub your back while I sing your favorite song. Why will you not lay down and go to sleep? Don't you know that you are so very tired?? Don't you realize that you can't possibly go to sleep while standing on your head, or throwing your bunny in the air, or balancing him on your feet, or singing/talking/squeeling at the top of your lungs? Haven't you figured out that you wake up so much happier when you get the sleep you need? Don't you know that I will ALWAYS do what is best for you and that if Mommy says you need to take a nap, then I must have a good reason? I know that the past 2 months have been tough for us both. You just want to play, play, play, and I just want you to sleep, sleep. sleep! We are stuck in a battle of wills, and I am sorry sweet baby, but Mommy always wins... not because I want to win, but because I know what is best for you, and that is a nap. I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time with this! I wish I could make this easier for you, but that wouldn't teach you anything. I wish I could explain to you in words that you understand that all of this is for your own good. I wish I could help you understand that one day you will wish so bad that someone would force you to have a 3 hour nap every day. I love you little stinker, you know that!! Please, Please!! Lay down, be still, close your eyes, hug your bunny, and GO TO SLEEP!!! I am begging you to surrender, throw up your white flag, and give in!! You need it, I need it, The pile of laundry on the couch needs it. I love you so much!! Until next time...

Your Mommy