I don't share this very openly ... I guess I worry about people thinking I'm strange! But a handful of very close friends know I have a bizarre connection to the number "three". I encounter it every single day in a weird way. So when my daughter turned 3 years old this month, in the same year that I am 33 years old, I just knew I was in for a great 2012!
So in honor of Solana turning the grandiose age of three, here's a list of 33 ways in which she has enriched my life!
1. Her smile is incredible! There's so much joy in that little grin :)
2. Her voice is infectious! When she says I love you, I melt.
3. She has the funniest habit for self-soothing - she pokes her own belly button!
4. She finally allowed me to be a part of her bedtime routine (after a 2-year hiatus!)
5. She has fun hair! I love getting to try different styles, since her texture is so different than mine!
6. Her imagination is really starting to take off! She loves to pretend with me!
7. She is soooo girly! I'm blessed that she enjoys (fake) jewelry, dresses, hair bows, etc!
8. She's my cuddle bug :) She loves to snuggle, hug, kiss, and sing together!
9. She enjoys being home! For her birthday, we were out and about and she just kept asking to go home!
10. She loves to learn! She uses words we didn't know she knew and she enjoys absorbing information shared in educational shows.
11. In fact, she learns so well that she knows how to turn on the laptop, access the internet browser, use the favorites buttons to get to her web sites, and use the laptop mouse pad, space bar, and navigational arrows to maneaver the games! She's been doing this for a few months now, it's amazing!
12. Speaking of technology, she also knows how to use my touch screen smart phone! (I don't even know how to put on the child lock!)
13. She keeps me centered - she constantly reminds me of what is truly important in life.
14. She gives me the best greeting when I get home. She runs to me, yelling "Mommy! Mommy!" I know that she's not the only child that does that but I don't quite remember my son being THAT happy to see me!
15. She eats everything! She will very rarely turn me down on food I offer her.
16. She drinks water, willingly! She doesn't even ask for anything else except for juices, milk or tea.
17. She proactively requests veggies! When I order a burger, she asks for the lettuce! When we have fresh broccoli in the fridge, it's her favorite snack!
18. Speaking of her requests ... when it comes to toys, she asks for simple things ... building blocks!
19. She likes to 'cook' with me! Her favorite snack to cook is boiled eggs! She knows which pan to get, which measuring cup to use to fill the pan with water and how to gently add the eggs! She loves it.
20. Her expressions are priceless. Her fake cry, it's hilarious! And her baby talk, adorable!
21. She is so independent already. She wants me near, but not to help her, cuz she "can do it".
22. She loves her brother. Seeing how she adores him and looks up to him, it's touching!
23. She is beautiful ... physically! Her skin is a gorgeous caramel shade and her face has pretty features! Most parents say this of their children, and I'm not vain at all, but I am an artist and I could draw her all day long! I've had offers to buy her!!!
24. She is so affectionate with her father! I never met my dad and so I always wondered what it would have been like to have a father figure like that. It gives me so much pleasure to see her hugging on her daddy!
25. She pushes me ... sometimes to the brink of insanity! But more importantly, she pushes me to be the best example of a woman I can be to her!
26. She loves routines! So when I have had a crazy, hectic, uncontrollable day .. I know I am coming home to a stable routine!
27. Without knowing it, she teaches us lessons every day! They usually have to do with communication techniques, patience and kindness ... all worthwhile character traits that should never be taken for granted.
28. Her very essense is actually pretty calming! She's laid back and enjoys just being together.
29. She's a spitting image of her astrological sign! She's a gemini ... one second she's happy, the next she's sad, and two seconds later, she's happy again!
30. She also has random moments of silliness! One day, we were in the middle of the grocery store and she broke out into song and dance, "I'm a grumpy old troll! Who lives under the bridge!"
31. She doesn't get grumpy if her sleep schedule gets changed! I didn't believe this when my husband told me, but she really doesn't! Not for the most part at least :)
32. She is genuinely caring. She asks me every day, "Are you tired?" I usually say "Yes" and she immediately gets upset "But mommy, you should be happy!"
33. I'm constantly amazed at how much I look forward to seeing her every single day! Before having her, I was scared to death of having a girl. I prayed for another boy. I'm so thankful God didn't answer that prayer!
As any other parent, I have a million more reasons why I love my daughter. But these are the top ones! I hope to never lose sight of the blessings she brings, even when we go through our patches later in life. I love you Solana!
