Dear Finn,
This post has been 3 months in the making. For some reason, every time I sit down to write this, something always comes up, or else I go looking for something else to do so I won't have to write this. Maybe, subconsciously I'm avoiding writing this because that way I can pretend for a little longer that you are still my baby. But, the truth of the matter is that you are 4! And definitely not a baby anymore; however, "as long as I'M living, my baby you'll be." The reason I started writing these "letters" to you on your birthday was to take a few minutes to reflect on the past year in your life, what you've been doing and learning and to tell you how much I love you. Although, it's now the middle of January February and I have been putting this off for a while. Whenever I look back at pictures or read posts from the past year, I do so with a lump in my throat. I know it doesn't seem like it to you, but you are growing up so fast. There is this song that I have been listening too lately and part of it goes "slow it down, make it stop, or else my heart is going to pop." That pretty much describes the feeling I have some days. You are changing every day and sometimes I can't stand it. With each passing day you become sweeter, funnier, taller, more independent, more curious (if that is even possible?) and more southern! I love experiencing each day with you and I am thankful and grateful I get to witness it in person. Now enough of this mushiness . . . let's have a look back at your third year.
This year started off pretty uneventful. We celebrated your 3rd birthday with a fire truck themed party and some close friends. You went to preschool 2 days a week, took gymnastics and karate lessons, made daily trips to various playgrounds and activities in Washington, DC but around March we found out we would be moving to Charleston and suddenly life as you knew it was turned on it's ear. You had to say goodbye to the only friends you had ever known, your routine and leave your room and all that was familiar to you behind and set sail for greener pastures. Even more traumatic, we had to put all of your TOYS in storage until we found a place to live. While your dad and I were excited because we knew what a great move this would be, you were less than sure and even less than happy. I don't blame you one bit . . . that is a lot of change in a short amount of time for a 3 year old! But you hung in there and after a ROUGH start, we all got our bearings and started making life work for us in Charleston. You discovered the beach! Watching you and Lily run around Folly Beach for the very first time brought tears to my eyes and for the first time in a long time, I felt at home. You started taking swimming lessons and loved it! We spent nearly every day in some type of water, whether it was the pool, the water park, the ocean or the spray fountain. We took many weekend trips to the farmers markets and the library, the Children's Museum and the Aquarium. And one of the perks of moving to SC was being closer to family. You got to spend lots of time with Mimi and Bop and your cousins Luke and Mary Daniel and Big and Baa came and spent a month with us--we were spoiled! You also spent your first week at summer camp. It was Dinosaur Days at the Little School and while you weren't sure about it at first, by the end of it you were happy you went. Oh, and I'm forgetting a MAJOR accomplishment this year. Potty training! I guess we were a little late to the game, waiting until after you were three, but all things considered, it went very well and you got the hang of it pretty quickly. We had some hilarious outings in public and occasionally you will still ask me if I need to "pee or poop" or if I need you to wipe me in the public restroom, which always gets a few laughs.
Finally, in August, we moved into our home. After years of constantly being on the move, we landed and dropped anchor! You were so happy to have your toys and bed and all of your stuff back. Having a yard and your own space and being so close to the beach is a dream and an answered prayer. I know we will make many, many good memories in this home and I pray that it will be a place where you feel safe and loved and years from now, you will be able to look back and remember all of the wonderful childhood memories made in this home.
In September, you started school at the Children's Garden School. You go five mornings a week and at first I wasn't sure about it. But you loved it, you loved your teachers and your friends and I realized I was being selfish trying to keep you with me. Honestly, the space has been good for us. We have spent over three and a half years with each other all day every day so this space has given us a chance to grow and develop a little on our own. That being said, I love every minute I spend with you. You have such an infectious joy and laugh and it's impossible not to be happy around you. Even when you are "throwing a pitch" (pitching a fit!) you are funny. You definitely have a stubborn streak, but I know you come by it honestly. You always keep us on our toes and sometimes parenting you is a challenge, BUT we meet that challenge with joy and gratefulness that we get to be the ones you call mom and dad. We try to give you the freedom to be yourself, while still helping you learn about what is right and what is expected. Some days it is a fine line and there are many many days when I fall short. But, I will always love you no matter what and that love is the basis for everything I do. Finn, I am so proud of you and I will watch with joy and anticipation to see who you continue to become.
Love, Mama
Three year old Finn at a glance: knows his alphabet and numbers 1-20, can spell his name, only likes chicken nuggets and grilled cheese sandwiches (still), takes great naps, has a great imagination--so great that sometimes I don't know what's true and what isn't, LOVES super heros, wants to be a doctor like his daddy, can dress himself (when the mood strikes) but prefers wearing pjs mostly, wears a 4T, still sucks his thumb and "snores" on night night, loves to be read to.
Here are some pictures from your third year.
Finally, in August, we moved into our home. After years of constantly being on the move, we landed and dropped anchor! You were so happy to have your toys and bed and all of your stuff back. Having a yard and your own space and being so close to the beach is a dream and an answered prayer. I know we will make many, many good memories in this home and I pray that it will be a place where you feel safe and loved and years from now, you will be able to look back and remember all of the wonderful childhood memories made in this home.
In September, you started school at the Children's Garden School. You go five mornings a week and at first I wasn't sure about it. But you loved it, you loved your teachers and your friends and I realized I was being selfish trying to keep you with me. Honestly, the space has been good for us. We have spent over three and a half years with each other all day every day so this space has given us a chance to grow and develop a little on our own. That being said, I love every minute I spend with you. You have such an infectious joy and laugh and it's impossible not to be happy around you. Even when you are "throwing a pitch" (pitching a fit!) you are funny. You definitely have a stubborn streak, but I know you come by it honestly. You always keep us on our toes and sometimes parenting you is a challenge, BUT we meet that challenge with joy and gratefulness that we get to be the ones you call mom and dad. We try to give you the freedom to be yourself, while still helping you learn about what is right and what is expected. Some days it is a fine line and there are many many days when I fall short. But, I will always love you no matter what and that love is the basis for everything I do. Finn, I am so proud of you and I will watch with joy and anticipation to see who you continue to become.
Love, Mama
Three year old Finn at a glance: knows his alphabet and numbers 1-20, can spell his name, only likes chicken nuggets and grilled cheese sandwiches (still), takes great naps, has a great imagination--so great that sometimes I don't know what's true and what isn't, LOVES super heros, wants to be a doctor like his daddy, can dress himself (when the mood strikes) but prefers wearing pjs mostly, wears a 4T, still sucks his thumb and "snores" on night night, loves to be read to.
Here are some pictures from your third year.
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