Fragile Friends

Giving the girls a bubble bath, I asked if they were having fun. Lillian's response: "I love playing with bubbles. They're my fragilest friends that I play with."

Mascara

This is what it looks like when 3 year-olds apply mascara.

Bossy Pants

The girls have been in a phase of telling US what to do. This was a humorous conversation that I overheard tonight:

Ben takes the rug out of the bathroom.
Lillian: Daddy, don't take the rug out of Mommy's bathroom.
Ben: Well, aren't you Miss Bossy Pants.
Lillian: No. I'm not wearing any pants!

Lillijandro

Happy Homecoming Day, Elzi

Dearest Elzi,

Where do I begin? I think you are the most feisty little girl I know. You often tell Lillian what to do, although she does not usually listen. You are also stubborn, which is probably why you are still not 100% potty trained and prefer to do #2 in your pants. I firmly believe that you are just choosing not to use the potty to remain in control. I admire your perseverance.

You have surprised me this year by going down the large twisty tube slide at Duke Park. You went all the way to the top by yourself. I expected you to just walk back down the steps like Lillian, but instead, you chose to go down the slide. I don't know if even I would have made that decision.

You are incredibly smart. You can count to 20 and recognize just about every letter. You love to do puzzles. You have been known to put together the 50 piece "kingdom" floor puzzle all by yourself. This is usually an all-day process where you work on it for a few minutes and keep coming back throughout the day until it is finished. That is unless Lillian decides to walk on it or take it apart.

Although you are normally asserting your independence, you have recently become much more affectionate. You often ask to be picked up, held, and hugged. Every night at bedtime you say, "Mommy, snuggle and sleep with us." You also grab me and try to hold me in your bed. It is so difficult for me to leave you every night. I think we both wish we had more time together.

I remember when you were in the hospital, and we were just waiting for you to be able to come home. Every day for the last few weeks you were there, I was just certain they were going to say you could come home. Those weeks were probably the longest weeks of my life. Although I visited 3 times every day, I always wanted to spend more time with you. I just couldn't wait for you to come home. Now you have been home for 3 years, and I still wish I could spend more time with you. I guess no matter what, I will always feel that way. I love you so much.

Happy Homecoming Day!

Love,

Mommy

Happy Homecoming Day, Lillian

Dear Lillian,

You have grown so much this year. You have gone from a crib to a big girl bed and are almost completely potty trained. You take your naps in Mommy and Daddy's bed, because you and Elzi love to play so much it is hard for you to go to sleep when you are together. You still look out for Elzi, often proclaiming that "we" want something. You also have great manners saying things like, "Mommy, will you please get me some pretzels."

Your sense of independence is certainly growing every day. One thing we often hear from you is, "No Daddy, we're just going to..." You have also gone from being terrified of your "tickly toothbrush" and crying the entire time we brush your teeth to brushing them all on your own. Baths and hair washing are also easier now that you have learned to put your fingers in your ears and look up. However, you are still upset by water in your face. You even dislike the spraying octopus that Santa brought you and Elzi for Christmas, but you are willing to let Elzi use it when you get out of the tub to go potty.

You love to say, "I want to do it myself." You are able to go to the bathroom by yourself, pulling the stool over to the toilet and doing all but wiping. You also really enjoy washing your hands. You even went through a phase where you would go into the bathroom just to wash hands. You also love to help. One of your favorite things to do is to help Mommy cook.

I can't believe that it has already been 3 years since we brought you home from the hospital. I can still remember how scared I was when we first brought you home, and I have to admit that there is always a little bit of fear in the back of my mind. Your are so precious and vulnerable, and it is our job as parents to keep you safe. I am so thankful for every day with you as you grow into a little person. You are so beautiful inside and out. I cannot believe how lucky we are to have been given the opportunity to be your parents. I love you more every day.

Happy Homecoming Day!

Love,

Mommy