My Dearest Eleanor,
Today you turned three! The years have gone by so quickly, I can’t believe what a big girl you are!
You are fearless and strong-willed, sweet and loving, but fiercely independent. You are funny and charming. You have such a sweet little smile, but are a force to be reckoned with. You insist on doing things your way and don’t take no for an answer. Last week you asked me for something and when I said no, you went to ask your Daddy instead, when he told you to ask me you replied, “but she said No!” You are already learning that there is always a way to get what you want. You are constantly testing your limits and ours.
Everyone at school knows and loves you. I am constantly hearing from other parents that their kids talk about you all the time, even kids who aren’t in your class. You love your teacher, talk about her all the time, and sometimes call me by her name. You are a social butterfly. You love to talk to everyone we see. You say hello to every stranger that passes by and make friends with every kid you meet at the park. You tell people your name and ask them theirs, and you remember people’s names. I joke that you will be a talented politician or business woman.
Sometimes you make life tough for me and your Daddy. You get cranky for no apparent reason, and throw little screaming fits. You aren’t always a good listener. And lately you have become quite the little contrarian and back-talker. You sometimes get angry and call us names. You want to do what you want to do and don’t like to be told otherwise. But you are three after all so we try to be firm, but understanding. We know that you are maturing every day, learning to be a better listener, learning to be more considerate of others, learning to be a little more flexible.
You seem to be getting smarter every day. You understand things that we wouldn’t imagine you would. You remember everything and like to talk about things that happened months ago. Your Daddy and I are sure that our old brains will be no match for you soon.
You love to laugh and make us laugh. You are always doing silly thing, making up songs, pretending to be a baby, talking to your Daddy’s big toe (Toey). You turn everything into a baby that you can take care of. We know that you will be an excellent big sister someday. Your Daddy and I promise to work on making that happen soon!
Even though we think we are Eleanor experts, you are always surprising us in one way or another. Just recently you have fallen in love with all that is girly: Princesses, Fairies, Dancing, Singing, Pink and Purple, Skirts and Dresses (which you want to wear every day). We didn’t think it was your style, so we assumed you wouldn’t go through this phase, but we sure were wrong. You are so bold and brash and rough and tough, not at all the soft and delicate flower. But I guess you are proof that you can be tough and girly at the same time. You are definitely your mother’s daughter!
You are so sweet and lovely that I can’t help but smother you with hugs and kisses as often as you’ll let me. You like to tell me, “No kisses!” and then wipe my kisses from your face. You give your Daddy tons of affection, but you like to choose your moments with me. Usually when Daddy isn’t around.
I love you with all of my heart and I can’t imagine a life without you in it. You are everything that matters to me. And even though you wear me out and sometimes make me a little crazy, I love every minute with you. You make my life better because you are in it. I know that I’ve been working really hard this last year, and not spending as much time with you as I would like. I promise to make some changes in the new year so that we can be together more. But I want you to know that I work as much as I do and as hard as I do to make you proud of me. To be the kind of mom you deserve and to be the kind of woman you would want to be. I love you.
xoxoxo,
Mommy
