Three Years Old!

Dear LittleDude,

Today, you're turning 3! In so many ways, it seems like I've barely had time to blink since that night I woke up to the sensation of wet sheets and realized you were making your entrance into the world far earlier than planned. I will always look back on that day and the days that immediately followed as some of the happiest days of my life, even though they were also some of the scariest. One day, you may have a child of your own, and then you will understand that. No one will ever make you smile more, worry more, cry more, or laugh more than your own child. But, I digress... so here is a list of some of things that make you our wonderful, silly, smart, and happy LittleDude.

Your Favorite Food: French fries!
Your Favorite Game: Anything that involves directing Mommy & Daddy. Lately, this has included "Sleep" and your own version of Hide-and-Seek.
The Best Show on Television: It's still a toss-up between "Dinosaur Train" and "Thomas & Friends" with "Curious George" following closely behind.
Your Best Friends: Mommy & Daddy are still the coolest people on Earth, but Lulu and Elizabeth are your best kid friends.
You Have a Talent For: Naming the different dinosaur species (even when they don't look like the ones on Dinosaur Train)
Your Favorite "Bye-Bye" Destination: Anywhere with a playground, the "walk park" where Mommy pushes you in your stroller, the toy store with the train table (even though you have one at home), Red Robin, and anywhere we might meet Daddy, Elizabeth, Gammoo, Lulu, or PawPaw.
Your Favorite Color: Orange
When You Grow Up, You'll Probably Be: A paleontologist.
Your Favorite Song: "Dinosaurs A to Z" and the "Dinosaur Train" theme song
Your Favorite Book: "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo" by Kevin Lewis and "Moo Baa La La La" by Sandra Boynton
Three Words that Describe You: Independent, Chatty, Clever
When You Were Little-er: You used to call Thomas the Tank engine "Toggie." A few days ago, he became "Thomas."
Your Favorite Activity: Playing with your trains & train table, dinosaurs & train, and cars. Also hanging out in the fort in your room.
Your Favorite Snack: Popcorn!
Your Least Favorite Food: Green beans. You absolutely will not even touch one.
One of Your Little Quirks: You're very particular about the toys you're playing with. If someone moves your trains, you "scold" that person and move them back.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

Daddy's Little Boy

Dear LittleDude,

You have been Daddy's little boy today. You did go grocery shopping with me this morning, but you talked about Daddy the entire time, and as soon as we got home, you decided it was time to wake Daddy up so he could play. You spent the rest of the morning playing outside with Daddy, you sat with Daddy at lunch, you woke from your nap asking for Daddy, you spent the entire afternoon playing with Daddy, and you decided to share your bedtime snack with Daddy (but NOT Mommy).

Yes, I think it's safe to say that you've missed your daddy for the past several weeks.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

Daddy's Home!

Dear LittleDude,

Daddy came home while you were sleeping last night. When you woke up this morning, he asked if he could be the one to get you out of bed. I stayed in our bedroom, and as soon as he walked into your room, I heard an excited, "Daddy!" followed by a string of chatter that was so rapid I couldn't understand what you were saying. But the point was clear: a Daddy homecoming is the best wake-up a kid could ever wish for.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

PBS Weekends

Dear LittleDude,

It thrills me that you adore British drama on PBS. For now, I'm sure you're actually more fascinated with the accent than anything else, but I hope it will develop into a lifelong love of language, theater, cinema, and music.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

Adventures in Packing

Dear LittleDude,

I appreciate your help with the packing, but my phone really doesn't need to be packed. Especially in a big box of things that have been wrapped in bubble wrap. That stuff muffles sound, you know.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

Mini-Me

Dear LittleDude,

It is not okay to slap my hand and tell me, "No, no, no!" Yes, I know we do that to the dog when he tries to steal your food. Yes, I know I have done it to you once or twice when you've been in danger of hurting yourself and didn't listen to a simple "No." And, yes, I know I burst into laughter when you did it to me. But if I tell you that you're not allowed to climb up onto the closet shelves and then block your path when you insist on trying to do it anyway, it's really not okay to slap my hand and tell me no -- even if your impression of me is the cutest thing ever.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

Little Monet

Dear LittleDude,

It seems like you're becoming a little artist. Suddenly, you've decided you like crayons almost as much as your trains. (Okay, maybe that's stretching it a bit, but there has still been a big spike in crayon usage around here.)

This evening while I was icing my knee after a tough workout, you were sitting on the floor drawing, and for about ten minutes, you worked very diligently on one drawing. Finally, you brought it to me and exclaimed, "Look, Mama! It's Diesel!" To be honest, you aren't quite skilled enough with crayons for me to have recognized the drawing as anything without the explanation, but considering that you're two years old and were presenting me with your very first non-abstract work of art, "color" me impressed.

I love you.
Love, Mommy