Amazing Gracie: The Barbie Birthday Bash. . .

I can't believe my baby is 3 years old! This has been such a fun and busy week celebrating my precious little princess that I forgot to stop and reflect. It is the first time 2:46 p.m. passed without mention and the first time I have not looked back through the weekly photos from her first year (although the night is not over:)). Why? Why would I forget? Surely, I still cherish those memories. The only thing I can rationalize is that my baby is not a baby anymore. We have complete conversations (and arguments). We play, sing and have make believe. We do crafts and play dress up; and now we take pictures. . . lots and lots of pictures! I will post again this week with a sampling of Gracie's newest love ~ photography, on her Fisher Price Camera! I think I am so consumed with the spectacular person she has become that it's hard to remember her any other way. I tell her all of the time "I couldn't love you anymore. . .but I will tomorrow!" That is such an understatement. She truly is amazing. She is so smart and her vocabulary is amazing. She is very nurturing (just watch her hold her babies or pet Denver). She loves to be involved in anything Mommy and Daddy are doing, but is just starting to enjoy playing by herself. As an only child, her ability to share and her giving nature surprise me every time we play with other kids. She is super silly but quite reserved ~ she still refuses to go in a "Playland" and will probably never return to Chuckie Cheese! She is a very good listener (when she wants) and remembers everything. She loves to pick out her own clothes and always surprises me with how well they match (even if it is ALWAYS shorts, tank tops and flip flops)! She knows she is becoming a "big girl" and likes her Independence ("I can do it!"), but still loves to be rocked to sleep at night. Lala will always be #1 in her heart, but she has at least 20 stuffed animals in her bed and can tell you specifics about each one! Yellow blankie has not missed a night, but now she loves to sleep under her "Frosty" blanket. Her favorite song is Joy to the World; and can this girl carry a tune! She still loves to watch television with her favorites shows being Angelina Ballerina, Max and Ruby, Finding Nemo and ANYTHING BARBIE! She will pick grilled cheese, mac-n-cheese, or chicken nuggets when she has a say, but her new favorite food is STEAK ~ yes, she is a daddy's girl! Speaking of Daddy. . .She adores him! She gets so excited at night when he gets home from work that she runs and hides! They play outside together (she loves to help him with the bird/squirrel food), take walks around the property and of course, they still run! She loves it when he tickles her until she can scream for help. At the dinner table she has to have her chair touching his so they can "eat together". He is better at getting her to sleep than I am, which makes her look forward to my Tuesday night Bible Studies. He is extraordinarily patient and loving with her but is also the disciplinarian when things escalate. . .she tries very hard to please him. On the other hand, she knows how to push buttons, especially Momma's! We are constantly discussing and negotiating. Days can be long since she is only napping 30-45 minutes, but each second of the day is priceless. I am so blessed to have this child and I thank God every day for the opportunity to love and raise this precious girl. Everyone knows that she is Daddy's Girl, but I know she will always be my baby! Tonight she called me into her room to tell me that I am the best Mommy ever! I don't know about that, but I do know that I am the luckiest! Thank you sweet child for the most wonderful three years! I can not wait to see how you change and who you become in the next 365 days!
Here are a few photos from the big Barbie Birthday Bash and our lunch at "Red Wobbins" today.

Love at first site. . .