Happy 3 years, Sarah!

Last Tuesday we celebrated Sarah's third birthday. When she was 6 months old we went to a pediatric cardiology appointment just outside of Boston. They said she looked great and wanted us to come in for a final check when she was 2.5 or 3 years old. I remember strolling back to the car with my tiny baby girl who was eating purees and just starting to sit up. How could my little girl ever be three years old?! What would she be like and look like? What would her voice sound like? Could she really grow up enough to be potty trained? And here we are!!! She is kind and beautiful and inquisitive and (praise the Lord) potty trained. I don't think my dreams at that time could do justice to the little girl we enjoy today.

Weight: 34.6 lbs (50%)
Height: 37 ins (80%)
Clothes: 3/4T; shoe, size 7 or 8

Likes: pretending to be people she knows, the ocean, bath time, comforting others, singing, listening to music, swinging, climbing, markers, American flags

Dislikes: bugs, vacuum cleaners, dust busters, dogs and cats, being woken up from a nap she hadn't finished

Schedule: Sarah is still resting at 1pm so that she and Josiah have a little joint down time and mom gets a little quiet. She goes through phases where she will nap every day for a week and then go back to only napping every few days. She doesn't mind being in her room, though, and it happy to play quietly until Josiah is ready to get up. When she does nap she does it right and will often sleep until 5pm. Sarah still goes to bed around 7pm and wakes up between 7 and 8am.

Eating: Sarah is the fastest ice cream eater I know. With other foods she is a little less focused, but not super picky. Crackers are the special treat of the moment. She also loves grapes, humus, watermelon, and a peanut butter sandwich "skin off".

Talking: I read recently that toddlers like to try to understand the world around them and sometimes come to funny conclusions in the process. Sarah isn't so much a "why" girl, but she does love to figure things out. Lately she has taken to getting serious look on her face, cocking her head to one side, and starting, "but Mommy.  . . ." From there she goes on to tell me how everything fits together in life. We were talking about how we went to second service on the way home from church yesterday and how we also have friends whom she calls Mr. and Mrs. Servis. She said, "well, we really call it the really rhododendron service, right mommy." Not usually Sarah :) (Rhododendron is the word she uses for anything she doesn't know a word for!) On the same ride home she told me all about the "heli-lobster" that flew over when we were getting in the car. I love the world through her eyes!

Random, but fun:
* I can't remember the last time Sarah had a potty training accident. She does really well telling us, as well as holding it when need be.
* She loves the beach, both the water and sand.
* One of our favorite things to do is go for a walk around the outdoor mall. Sarah walks now (Josiah is still in the stroller) and we talk about flowers, cupcakes, storm drains, and pink dresses.
* Sarah loves to point out an American flag and consider the fact that we live in Massachusetts . . . and go to the grocery store in Massachusetts . . . and Mr. Jay goes to work in Massachusetts, etc. :)
* I love that Sarah loves to celebrate little victories with us. Ex: "Look, Mommy, our little guy is walking! Good job, Siah!"
* Sarah now both jumps and can go up and steps without having to hold a hand. (Though she would still prefer a hand :) )
* Imaginary friends are a regular part of life these days. Sarah always pretends to be the mommy or daddy of someone she knows.
* Before bed we are singing prayers now. The request changes nightly! She also likes Peace Like a River.

Next appointment: Monday, July 21, 2014 at 9:30am- one year . . . wow!!!

Taking care of her baby

"Shoulders!"

She sometimes asks me to put Josiah in her lap :)

Sarah was a big fan of the chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting on Josiah's birthday

She did these herself :)

Early Spring beach walk!

A really good fall in the rocks . . .

. . . made better by a bandaid. It seems bandaids cure most wrongs in Sarah world.

Sarah with her favorite nursery toy

Our own little JFK moment . . . minus the Oval Office!

It was a cupcake kind of evening!

Me: "Sarah did you put the blue marker in your mouth? How about your blue fingers?"
Sarah: "No Mommy, I didn't put annnnnything in my mouth."

Back of the van picnic

Sweet sister :)

Using restaurant manners with her ice water at Starbucks

We can play gamily games (or at least one game) now!