I Want To Remember Before I Forget...

...how amazing you are right now.

You are almost two. Two? I cannot believe that the time has gone by so fast. I blinked and missed it.

You are always into something. Trash, diapers, running, food, plants, running, mail, crayons, drawers, running, running, running! You are the definition of mischief. And tantrums. And smiles. And cute. You talk quite a bit and are beginning to put sentences together. You don't like it when what you are trying to say doesn't come across correctly in translation. You like to throw things to get attention, let out anger, say you are done with something, or maybe just because you have a good arm.

You smile a lot. You are very charming and have begun to make flirty faces. You love your daddy and literally break into tears if he doesn't get to you fast enough. Your hair is getting long and is really starting to curl into ringlets. It is a light brown but shows quite blonde in the sun. You love to point out your body parts and can name quite a few. You are not scared often, but when you are you hang on for dear life.

You think that your sisters hang the moon. You love to laugh at them but love even more to make them laugh. You always have a hug for your oldest sis, and seem to take you aggression out on the medium one. You call them by your version of their names and they always come running to answer. You like to play with them and you love to play with their toys, especially when they don't know it. You like to walk in the middle, holding both of their hands. They are so good to you and you reward them greatly with smiles and kisses. The three of you make a wonderful match.

You are very independent. You love to do things for yourself and declare all things "mine!" You have an obsession with stickers and gummies. You will eat just about anything, as long as you are allowed to feed yourself. You do wonderful with a spoon and fork, although sometimes you just cut to the chase and use your fingers. You like to watch Noggin and sing songs. You are always amazing us with tricks and are a sweet mommy to your babies. You won't go to sleep without your "hassie and may-may."

You are fun and challenging and so beautiful when you sleep. You are my heart and my song - my third daughter.

Because Tomorrow I Won't Remember...

...what I don't want to forget today.

You are 4. You are rotten. The end.

You call yourself the medium sister. No "middle" for you and you in no way fit the middle child mold. Your brownish blonde hair is unkempt and your bangs are always too long. Your eyes are big and as brown as chocolate and look just like your daddy's. You have the biggest toothy smile I have ever seen and it literally takes over a room.

You are funny. You are so funny and you know that you are funny. You have a unique sense of timing and can crack everyone up without even trying. You are emotional. You get your feelings hurt so easily and you are not easily persuaded to get over it and move on. You can pout for hours. Actually, a more accurate observation would be that you can be stubborn for hours. The pouting can be over but the stubbornness takes control and really just won't let you lose.
You know no strangers. You are every one's friend and have absolutely no sense of stranger danger. You tell everything you know and always have a story - even if it is not true. You get upset because I won't encourage you to hug every cashier or restaurant patron we encounter goodbye. I'm not kidding. You are genuinely sweet and caring, charming and friendly. You are the apple of your teachers' eyes and always ready for a friendly chat.

You are never quiet. You are always making some kind of noise and never, ever, ever stop. Even in your sleep you cry out with one loud sigh or another. You love sound effects and music, and are an incredibly talented singer. You learn the words to songs super fast and always have one in your mind that you sing over and over again. Sometimes, I don't even think that you realize that you are making noises, it just comes naturally.

You are always on the move. Whether it be jumping, climbing, twirling or just digging your toe in the dirt, you always have something to do. You are quite busy and rarely to you ever just sit for a break. You do not, however, put this exciting energy into eating. You are one of the slowest eaters I have ever known. But even then, you are moving.

You love to please those in charge. You are quite complacent and love to be praised for your first time obedience. You will do some things without being asked and are very aware of other's feelings. You are a rule memorizer, follower, and repeater. You love to tell the rules to others who aren't following them. I'm not always sure that this is because you are trying to be helpful but instead because you are legalistic.

You are independent, enchanting, entertaining, and emotional. You are headstrong and fun; one extreme to the other. You are my angel baby, my "medium" - my second born daughter.

I'm Scared I'll Forget to Remember...

...what you are like right this moment.

You are newly six. Your hair is past your shoulders and your smile is contagious. Snaggle-toothed, but definitely contagious. You lost your first two bottom baby teeth and like to tell everyone you meet. Your baby sister knocked you the other morning and now you swear that the top one is loose, too. You were thrilled with the tooth fairy and want her to come back again soon.

You are smarter than you should be allowed and finished kindergarten with flying colors. You adored your teacher, and the feeling was mutual. You quickly made friends and are an equal opportunity comrade. Your teacher commented to me many times how you are never tied down to one group, and are always looking for ways to make everyone feel included. You are becoming a viracious reader and just today received your first library card. You are so proud and feel so big because of it.

You are a worrier. You think things over and through and under and behind. Whether it is bees, dogs, wind or splinters, you always have something on your mind. You often miss out on some new things because you are so cautious. Sometimes you talk to us about these things and sometimes you hold it all in, but you are almost always processing something and weighing the pros and cons. You always look before you leap.

While you most certainly aim to please, you have your moments where your attitude leads me to wonder whether you are six or sixteen. You like to be in charge and don't always agree with my decisions or directives. You are stubborn but sensitive. You don't like to be wrong.
You are a wonderful big sister. You step into the mommy role as easily as you step into your flip flops. You love to give orders, threats, and hugs. The little girls look up to you and do most anything you say without question. You are beginning to dish out sage kindergarten advice to your next step down - "they do not allow bathroom breaks during nap time. If they do, everyone thinks they have to go. Make sure you go at the end of lunch" - and sister is soaking it all in.

You are a charmer, a pleaser, a pouter, a reasoner, a thinker, a friend. You are sweet and sassy, sugar and spice. You are and will forever be - my first baby.