The Davis Group: Charlotte Grace

Don't want to forget what your belly button looked like at 3

Charlotte Grace,

Oh. My. Goodness. You are 3. No longer a baby. No longer a toddler. Officially into the "Pre-School" years. Part of me feels compelled to remark on how quickly the time has passed. The rest of me feels we've done well cherishing each step along the way.

-As noted before, you are a remarkable big sister. You love Baby Cailin with your whole being. When she was sick recently, I stood back and watched you rub her back saying "It's okay Baby Sissy. It's ok. Don't worry." You look out for her at home and out on the playground. You help people to understand what she's saying and you ensure they treat her with the proper respect. You never talk down to her. This is one of my favorite things to see. Many people look at Cailin and speak in one word phrases (honestly, some people still do this to you...) but you talk to her just as you would an adult. It shows how much you respect her and how smart you know she is.

-You are very interested in Dora the Explorer. Last summer, the dentist gave you a Dora toothbrush. You were so excited, despite not knowing who she was. It's now your favorite TV show, your favorite type of fruit snack, your favorite puzzle, and it was even your birthday party theme.

-You are a rule follower. You stay in your bed until it's time to get out. You use please and thank you without reminders. You are kind to friends and adults. You ask to be excused when you've finished eating.

-You love to cook. You've learned that weekends are great "because we get to spend time with our family" and the first thing you request on Saturday mornings is to help Daddy make pancakes. You guys made frosted heart shapes for Valentines day, green shamrocks for St Patty's, and often you make jungle animals using a fun pan a friend gave us.

-You (and Cailin) have had a rough winter. You two have been so busy hanging out with friends at school and stroller strides, you seem to have caught every germ being passed around Virginia Beach. Just another reason to love summer.

-You are anxious for summer to begin. You've been talking about Busch Gardens, Ocean Freeze, and the pool regularly despite that it snowed yesterday.

-You expect a Baby Boy. And soon. Baby Girl is walking and talking now so you have started to demand a baby boy. This morning you opened a new package of toothbrushes. There were 3 in the pack, so naturally one was set aside for Baby Boy. We would all like a baby boy (well, I am not certain Cailin would) but I think you can go ahead and plan on using that toothbrush for yourself for now.

-You never want to grow up. You are precocious which is generally fun, but also provides undue stress. In the car last week, you began to cry saying "I don't want to be a mommy like you! I want to be a kid!!" Thankfully, you turned 3. Not 30.

-Your new favorite pastime is board games. You received a few for your birthday and this morning you chose to forgo a trip to the aquarium to stay home and play games. I love spending that time watching you figure out new games and new strategies.

-You still nap most days. Yay!

-You can spell your [crazy long!] name! And you are [as you should be] so proud. Your name is spelled on your door and you studied it for a few weeks until one day you could recite the 9 letters, in order, by yourself! Next step, learning to write all those letters.

-Another mom asked recently if you were going through "a phase". She had implied this phase was undesirable and all I could do was boast of what a wonderful "phase" you are in. I am so proud of who you are and how you treat others. I am so impressed with your language, intelligence and determination. I won't remind you of this in person but you are growing up and I could not be happier with the little girl you've become.

Love love love!
Mama