Happy 4th Birthday Baby Girl!

Can I still call her that? Baby? Well, that of course is what she will always be to me, and her daddy and her grandparents, and probably her siblings too... the baby in the family. Oh how I love to spoil her. Turning 4 feels like a transition age. 3 is still a baby, but this year she will start preschool, she is a sunbeam at church (she goes to class now, with the cutest little chairs, instead of nursery where they just play the whole time) she has lots of little friends, and she can write her name! I marvel at my children and how well they are growing, with such a couple of imperfect guides as my husband and I (my husband having far superior parenting skills, but still, imperfect just the same). It's our love that has helped them grow so well, not our vast knowledge of child raising. But, all three are truly amazing, teaching us far more about life and what is really important, than we are teaching them. I am so grateful for my children, and especially you today little C! I love you!

I swear it shrunk in the wash...

This used to be my T-shirt. I wish I looked so good in it.

She was seriously bugged that I wouldn't get the camera out of her face.

For the last time ...

I took the crib down today. It's sitting in the garage, waiting to be taken to the DI. I didn't even realize the significance of what I was doing, until it was done. This same crib has been up in our house for pretty close to 9 years straight. Lately it has been used as a toddler bed for C, with the side taken off. But I have no plans of putting it back up again ... ever.

So how do I feel about this? Surprisingly good! It is a relief to have it out of my life. Nothing personal against the crib; it's really cute! My mom and I picked it out together before "the boy" (that's his new name, "I" just wasn't working out) was born. But I have decided that the baby years are really just the beginning for many more wonderful things to come. In fact, I much more enjoy having a toddler, or even a preschooler, than a baby. Babies are a lot of work, they only stay babies for a very short time, and the only real reward you get is watching them grow into toddlers. So I guess I am reaping the rewards today by taking down the crib. I now consider C a preschooler, and a great one at that!

Our baby...

Last, but not least, it's C! C is 3 years old. She is our baby girl, she'll always be our baby girl. I probably spoil her a bit, but it is my last one and they grow up so quickly.

If P is a little fairy, then C is the princess. She is sweet and kind and loves people. She has started to make some little friends who she loves to play with everyday. 7am every morning "can I go play with...?" I wish that I could say that I have one child who takes after me, but no. I guess that is not a bad thing, I was shy and quite, my kids are playful, friendly and loud. They take after their daddy, who I love more than anything, so it's good.

I think C will be our family Geneologist someday. C's favorite thing to do right now is to ask me if I want to hear a story. This is how her stories go, "Once apon a time there was a Mommy, Daddy, Me, 'P', 'I', Grandma, Grandpa, Papa, Grandma Charlotte..." and then she proceeds to name all the people she knows or has ever meet, cousins, Aunt, Uncles, EVERYONE. She is careful to get everyone's name right and makes sure she doesn't leave anyone out. It can go on for awhile. Once she has named everyone... The End! C loves people.

C is old enough to start preschool this year but I am going to keep her home. Next year she can start school, but this year I am looking forward to some quality time with me and my baby ("P" starts 1st grade and "I" will be in 3rd). I feel like this is the end of the baby years for me, one last year for strollers, nap times and sippy cups, and then she'll go to preschool and our lives will start a new chapter.

This is the last of my three greatest creations. They are what I am most proud of! I owe so much of what I have and the mother I am to my husband. Without his love and support (both emotionally and financially) I could not have this life or be the person I am. And though I am not spotlighting him, I hope he knows how important he is in our family too and how grateful I am for him in my life.