Letter to Sierra

My yearly letter to Sierra...

True Princess Sierra’s 3^rd year of Life

          Today you turn three!  This past year you moved from our toddler to our little preschooler.  You have grown and changed in so many ways that your Daddy and me couldn’t be more proud of you.

          Here are some of the momentous changes in your life this past year.  You went on your first cruise to Alaska with the McLaughlin side of the family.  You saw an amazing part of the country and loved the “cold big boat” as you put it.  You also moved from San Angelo, Texas back to Thompson’s Station, Tennessee.  Three majors moves in the past three years of your life, wow!  This past summer you moved from your crib to a full sized big girl bed and did great with it.  You aren’t a fan of the dark so you now request a night-light and the door to stay open when you sleep.  You also took on potty training and did a great job with it.  You fight us once in a while now when you want control but still do well.   Just in February you gave up your paci, something you loved so much.  You took them all and gave them to the man at Build A Bear and in return you made your pink princess kitty that now sleeps with you.

          Here are some other fun things you did this past year.  You took several trips to San Antonio to go to Sea World.  You LOVED it especially seeing Sesame Street characters like Abby Cadabby.  One of the trips your Papa, Gigi, and Uncle Ryan joined us.  We joined a pool over the summer and you spent several days each week playing in the pool.  You became quite a little fish.  You took a trip in August to come to Tennessee and were very aware of flying and thought it the coolest.  You had flown many times before but this one, by far, was the most exciting trip for you yet!  You had your first check out of books at the library and have come to really love reading more than ever before.  You enjoy story time at the library as well.  You started Mother’s Day Out in the fall once a week in Texas and enjoyed it.  Then this Spring you started preschool in Tennessee and have loved Ms. Heather and Ms. Dawnn and all your new friends.  You had your first sleep over away from both Mommy and Daddy at your Mimi and Bapa’s house and can’t wait to do it again.  Determined all on your own, you taught yourself how to ride your big wheel and now are a pro at it.  You have had two new cousins join the family just recently.  You got the chance to meet Baby Lillian the day she was born and were in awe when you got to hold her.  Your cousin Tobias was born in France a couple weeks later.  Holidays were a whole new experience for you as well.  You loved Christmas, especially the lights on houses and singing, “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.

          Things we have noticed about you over the past year.  You are one affectionate loving little girl.  You give the best hugs and kisses to those you care about.  You never seem miss an opportunity to make friends with those around you.  Some of your buds this past year have been Gracie, Addi, Sofia, and Jadon in Texas and Holden, Laney, Gentry, Colgan, Nolan, and your cousin Liam here in Tennessee.  You started off this year saying “Happy Cupcake” and now are singing the entire “Happy Birthday” song.  You use to say “yove you” for love you and “Stipy” for sticky hands.  You have been calling your Daddy, Babba, but one day just decided to change to Daddy.  Daddy was a little sad about that one.  You say, “Oh man”, “2 minutes”, “Oh Gosh, as well as “that’s my favorite.”  Your pretend play has bloomed.  You take such good care of your baby dolls and stuffed animals.  You change poopy diapers, feed them and take them on walks with the stroller.  Blue bear has become your close companion.  You’ve taken to legos.  You love Dora, Diego, Abby,  and Curious George.  You do have one strong will and struggle with always wanting control. Your manners have grown.  You love to make up your own songs to sing and dance while dressing up as a princess.  You still love playing outside whenever you get the chance.  You love Daddy chasing and tickling you.  You love to “help” Mommy with almost every thing: cooking, cleaning, and make up.  You are one extremely outgoing, loving, talkative, helpful, strong willed, beautiful little lady inside and out and your parents are so thankful to have you in their life.  Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

                                                                                      With all my love,

                                                                                                 Mommy