Happy birthday to this sweet face

I just can't even believe it.  People always say that time flies faster with the second child than it did the first.  Wow.  "They" were right.  I cannot believe that this little peanut is three.

 

Didn't this just happen....like...just yesterday? 

Look at those sweet cheeks and those lips.  That's the same little face I stare at when you sack out in the car.  You looks exactly as you did around 3:00 pm on 4/16/13 when you are sleeping.  What a gift that you do.  I mean, it takes me back to that snuggly, squishy, little bundle. 

I can still remember how shocked I was when they told me you were a girl, Susanna Rose.  I really thought Kirby was going to have a brother.  Shocked honestly.  Shocked.  Dad and I were certain on our possible boy name and not as settled on our girl name.  So I held you on my chest and just looked up at your dad and said, "Susanna Rose????"  And there you were.  My little Sunanna Wosie...Susananna...Sunanny Wanny...Nanny...Susannet.  My how we love you.

Since the moment you arrived, even as a small infant, you have always known what you want and you make it known that you know.  I can remember Mimi saying one evening during your late night witching hours, "this little girl knows what she wants."  And you do, and you don't back down, which can often make me crazy, but I also kinda like it.  I know no one will walk all over you.  You, my deary, are a force to be reckoned with.  The world is and will continue to be a better place because of your sweet and spunky presence.

You are like fire and ice.  You are so sweet and caring.  I love the "Awwwwws" I hear from you when you see a "cute wittwe puppy" or "a new baby."  You love animals, and you love to see Mommies with babies in their bellies.  But we gotta stop asking women if they have babies in their bellies.  Someday, someone won't.  You love Kirby.  You love to pester him and push his buttons; you love to cry just a little harder so he gets in a little more trouble; you can't wait for him to get out of school; and you love to do whatever it is he is doing.  I love seeing yall play pretend.  You just follow along however chief Kirby wants to play.  And you share so well with him.  You can't have a potty treat without giving Kirby one.

You give the best, the absolute best, hugs.  All your power goes into wrapping your arms full around my neck and squeezing like there's no tomorrow.  I hope those hugs continue for the rest of our lives.  You are my velcro baby.  I joke that I used to say when Kirby was a baby that I just wanted a baby that wanted to be held.  And here you are.  Everywhere on my hip.  I complain sometimes about it and how my back hurts but I'll take it.  But I do really like holding your big girl hand, too.  Those sweet, soft, little fingers. 

But just as sweet as your little self can be, you can turn on me on the dime and dig your heels in the ground and not budge.  Or you can scrunch up that face and make your mean eyes and speak low to me when you don't get your way.  You are strong-willed.  We often have a battle of wills by about 8 every morning, and most mornings you are in time out before 8 as well.  You are just keeping me on my toes and making that opinion known. 

You love all things girly right now.  You loved your gymnastics class, and I can't wait to sign you up for more.  You love your chapsticks, lipglosses, and nail polishes.  And you love my perfume and face lotion.  My little shadow.  You put your face lotion on right next to me, and when I get a spray of "goyyyy-eeee puwwwwfume", you get one too, my friend.  You love dresses.  You went through a squirt phase, but now we are right in the middle of a dress phase.  There are about three that you'll wear for a few days and then move on to the next.  And oh you're Elsa dress.  You probably wear it every day, and when you wear it, you kinda float.  So regal and ethereal.  You love your Elsa dress, your Elsa pillow, your Elsa doll, your Elsa song, your Elsa sandals, your Elsa flip flops, and don't forget your Elsa braid.  And you can't wait to get an Elsa backpack and lunchbox next year for preschool.  And you dawn these pretty things, and you say, "Mommy, am I pretty?"  Or if you don't have one of these girly things on, you say, "Mommy, I'm not pretty."  But sweet Susanna Rose, you are beautiful no matter what you do or do not have on.  Its that heart of gold that makes you beautiful.  We are working on that...that your heart and how you treat people is what makes you pretty and makes you who you are.

You love to sing.  You make demands for songs in the radio.  You want girl songs.  You know, songs that girls sing.  I gotta say, there are not many of them on the radio except for the inappropriate ones..."Can't keep my hands to myself."  Thanks, Selena Gomez.  And that scrunched up face???  I see that a lot in the car, "Mom, that's my favowite song.  You changed my favowite song."  You love almost all songs Taylor Swift...Shake it Off!  You love Let it Go of course.  And I love hearing you sing along to some of my favorite Christian rock songs.  You love to watch Blaze with Kirby and Paw Patrol and the Floogals, and you ask to watch Frozen every single day.  Every.Single.Day.

You love to color and cut and glue and paint.  All things messy.  That's you, my sweet.  And you love to eat.  You graze all day long.  You love yogurt and cheese sticks but very few fruits.  But for the most part, if you're hungry, you'll eat almost anything I give you.  You'll especially eat anything on my plate.

So for your third birthday, Mommy and Daddy kinda pulled a fast one on you.  We planned a trip during your actual birthday, but we had a fun day on your "pretend" birthday.  Sorry.  We celebrated your due date, and you had a fun birthday weekend with Memaw and Pepaw. 

Your "pretend" birthday began with birthday balloons in your room delivered by none other than the magical birthday balloon man.  Then Kirby and I sang happy birthday to you over a birthday muffin...your choice.  Pistachio.  No donut for you. You were a true sport when you tagged along with me to go shopping and even get my hair done.  And then all you wanted to do was go see Zootopia and eat popcorn for your birthday.  So we did.  You, Kirby, and me. 



All you asked for for your birthday was a cherry cake.  I have no idea where that came from.  No gift requests, just a cake request.  So, I searched pinterest for a great cherry cake recipe, and found the most delicious cake I think I've ever put in my mouth. 

I wasn't going to do anything grand for your birthday.  Trying to save a few bucks and trying to keep the house clean after cleaners came to get it ready to be shown before it was even put on the market.  But I caved.  I texted a few of our fave friends and invited them for cake.  Hannah and Raegan; Anabelle, Vera, and Scarlett; Jack Jack, Cam, and Mal; and at the top of the list was Mere.  Who knew that we would still be playing in the backyard until almost 10 at night.  It's one of those nights I love here on Pavestone Court.  Great neighborhood and church friends, gathered around us, and that night we were celebrating you in all your spunkiness.  

So rock on, my sweet.  Make your mark in this world.  I know you will.  I love you so much.

HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY!!!!