Happy 3rd Birthday Monkey

This sweet girl is 3 years old today.  And this mom is a little emotional.  Leading up to this day has been more exciting for me than her other two birthdays - I think because this is the first one when she has begun to understand what it means.  It's exciting, but so emotional.  My first baby is really becoming a little girl now.  

My first baby, the one that the Lord used to make me a mother when I wasn't sure I would have the chance.  It brings tears to my eyes just writing this and thinking about the gift that the last 3 years have been.  What a blessing to hold the title of mommy.  And what a blessing it is to be Monkey's mommy.

She is such a delight.  She is caring, kind-hearted, hilarious, timid yet fearless, LOVES to laugh, learning her independence, a good friend, loves music and loves to dance, loves to read, loves to watch shows and movies, has such a sweet spirit, and is inquisitive.

She is such a good big sister, most days she tries to comfort Lil Bit and will bring her a toy or try to make her laugh to distract her from crying. 

She takes good care of her friends.  She loves giving them hugs and comforts them when they get hurt or aren't feeling well.

She loves to laugh and loves to make others laugh with her.  

She has a great vocabulary which makes having conversations with her pretty fun.

She enjoys her music class and can remember most things that are set to music.  She has a love for learning her bible verses set to song.  She also loves to dance and will do so with or without music.

She will snuggle with us when she is tired or grumpy.  Some of my favorite times because I know they won't last much longer.

She loves to go to the park and play on the swings, slides and tunnels.  

She loves to paint and mixing the paint colors is her favorite way to do it.

She is very independent and loves to play by herself, but in new situations she is attached to our sides.  It takes her about 15 minutes to warm up or get used to something and then she is good to go and try new things.

She is a good little mommy to her baby dolls and loves to fix up all her patients.

She is still attached to her Elmo and Loveys and they go with her just about everywhere she goes.

She still sucks her thumb, but only when she is in bed or has her loveys in her hand.

There is so much more to this sweet child, but I can't seem to put it all in words.  When I think about all the Lord packed in this little nugget, my heart swells with joy and thankfulness.  She truly is a gift and I pray I will always remember that in the good and the bad times.

**Disclaimer - My child is not perfect!  But it's a birthday post - so we only want to remember the good things on this day!