Harlie, you are 3!

Dearest Harlie,

As I write this, we are supposed to be headed over to Nana's to celebrate your birthday and a Thanksgiving feast.  Instead, you are curled up in your newly converted toddler bed and brand new birthday Disney Princess bedding. I'm hoping when you awake, the Motrin will have kicked in and your spirits will be up. I've been really looking forward to spending the day at Nana's house.

Man, were you a grumpy monkey this morning. I had a feeling you were getting sick again. The chills you got after your shower and how you whined when I brushed through your hair, just a further indication that this grumpy monkey has a fever. What's new?

You've been sick a whole lot this past year.  And it's been a BIG year for you little snuggles.  Mama and Daddy are both back to work now and after spending a few months with Auntie Keri full time, you mostly spend your weekdays in daycare (oops, I mean preschool, sorry).  You've been learning so much at Jessica's...always coming home with new things to share. You have a best friend (aside from Horsey) named Emelia. Her favorite color is purple. I know this because every time you see something that color, you say it's for Emelia. :-)  But your favorite color in pink. You love pink EVERYTHING!  I wonder if once the princess and ballerina obsession has passed, it will still be your favorite color. 

Princess mania is in full force.  You love to dress up and demand that Daddy be your prince, dancing with him and twirling around.  When you say the word princess you spit the "p" and it makes me smile every time.  You also love to pretend that you are a ballerina and cannot wait for Nana to take you to see the Nutcracker. We tell you that once you turn 5, you can go.  I think Nana may give in and take you next year. We'll see.

Another passion of yours is matching - finding pairs.  You get so excited and have to show daddy or I every time you find a match.  You'll see a duck in one of your books and then run to get your beloved rubber ducky from the bath and put them together. "Match!" you say, as your eyes gleam with pride.  You love to group colors and sort things that are the same.  You also have an eagle eye out for any H's you might see. You know your name starts with one and whenever you see one you shout "H is for Harlie!", which also happens to be the first letter you've written.

Safety comes first with you when we're in the car.  Everyone needs to be buckled up and have "two hands!" on the wheel at all times. Red is for stop, green is for go and Orange is for "sloooowwwwww down!"  Another thing you are hung up on is water towers. Every time we pass one you ask "Does Santa live in there?"  I don't know where in the world you got that idea.  You are very talkative in the car now, always asking questions or making observations.  It reminds me of Austin at your age.  So much to know and so little time!

You still go to Auntie Keri's house one day a week and you are always so excited to go. I love it because it's easy getting you up and dressed in the morning.  You and Max are still thick as thieves and the friendship you have built with your cousin Mazzy this year is super sweet.  I'm so lucky that you have them.  You have become much more outgoing, making friends at the park and not hiding behind my leg as much as you used to. You will even look Dr Wang in the eye now. That is progress my dear.

There is so much that I look forward to as you get older.  You have a personality full of sparkle and sass, a smile that lights up my heart and a contagious zest for life. I laugh because you are clumsy just like your mama, but it doesn't stop you from trying. Although you may be cautious, you still climb that mountain, and if you trip and fall you just untangle yourself, stand up and go again. You teach me so much every day.

I love you with my whole heart and soul.  Happy Birthday, sweet girl.

Love, Mama