My little girl is THREE!!!

I can't believe it. The time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday that we were being induced to have Caitlyn 2 weeks early. I was quite anxious about having a baby and now I couldn't live without her.

Caitlyn arrived in this world, oh let's say, a little startled. She was delivered at just the right moment; 5:20 on a Saturday, late evening, January 29, 2005. She was not breathing on arrival, but quickly came around. She spent 5 days in the NICU, which seemed like the 5 longest days of my life. Of course, looking back, I should have been resting those last 5 days!!!

Caitlyn,

This year was a fun year and you learned so many new things. You became more independent and gave up your crib, toddler bed, booster chair for the table, and diapers. You now sleep in a queen size bed (that's our old guest bed), sit at the table in a regular 'ol chair, and wear panties. WOW! Those are big accomplishments.

You also love to play dress up, do art projects and read books.

You will prance around the house in a tutu, with heels and a purse. There are always treasures in your purse too.

One of your favorite things to do is play with Play-dough and you must have mommies cookie cutters and plastic knives for it. You are always making notes for us with pencils and pens and because of that we must watch you closely because sometimes you tend to make them, um, permanent notes. One time I found you with a black Sharpie marker on your face and upon further investigation found that you had drawn all over my piano and piano books. Luckily that is all cleaned up. (I should of taken a picture!)

I am so impressed with your reading abilities. You can read the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear and so many parts of the The Napping House and your Dora and Diego books. You love to have your own book and read along side me at nighttime, although you are really listening to the story I am reading. We have to leave your lamp on so you can read until you fall asleep.

You still have a favorite blankie that you must sleep with but you can have any stuffed animal or baby doll of your choosing for the week. You are so sweet with your animals and dolls. You feed them, change them and even bathe them (sometimes!) You love to push your babies in your doll stroller and they always have a blankie themselves (even makeshift blankies out of napkins).

You have started brushing your teeth on your own, going to the bathroom by yourself, opening the frig (ooh!) and picking out your own sippy cups. You used to throw temper tantrums (I so hope this stays in the past). You CAN (if you choose) clean up your toy room, with assistance. You love to run back and forth across the room (while we are watching), jump on your bed, wave your "magic wand", wear mommies shoes, jump off a counter into my arms, and jump while holding both mom and dad's hands.

Basically you are growing up and doing so many things. I am so proud of you.

Lastly you are such a good big sister. You love your brother so much and are so sweet to him. You run up to him and call him "Little Man". You love to hold him, kiss him, hug him and even squeeze him. Just yesterday I caught you making him belly laugh (I tried to get a video but was too late). He loves you too!

I love you so much and I am so proud of you!.

Love,

Mommy