To Brynn, Age Three

Dear Brynn,
Three years.  I cannot believe you have been in our lives three years!  It seems like yesterday that you decided to make your entrance to this world three weeks early, just so you could surprise me and be born on my birthday.  I ate my cake in the hospital room and stared at your beautiful chubby cheeks and long brown hair.

Oh, that hair!  When your sister first saw you, the first thing she said was, "That baby's got a lot of hair!"  It fits your personality so well!  Wild curls like yours are for free spirits.

We had some interesting phases with you as a baby.  Colic.  Reflux.  Screaming just to hear yourself scream, happy or sad.
(Not much has changed about that last one.)

But I could feel you loving us right from the start, and every moment you've ever been happy, you have been positively blissful. When you turned six months old, all the fussing stopped, and your real personality began.

I have always loved that intensity about you.  You cry wholeheartedly, and you laugh with every fiber of your being.  When you give hugs, you grab us around the neck and hold so tightly I think you'll never let go.  But you do let go, mostly because you don't want to be still.

You are my energetic girl, running and giggling, curls trailing behind you.  Making funny faces, jumping on the bed (my little monkey), splashing water out of the sinks, laughing loudly, trying any excuse not to wear clothes.  You're a girl who likes her freedom, for sure.  And we're going to have to discuss that before you're much older.  ;-)

You've always been a constant eater, so much so that it's almost humorous!  When you were a baby, you'd nurse for long periods of time and very often.  Now, you want to graze all the time...peanut butter and honey sandwiches, pickles, celery, apples, and parfaits are your favorites, and when you visit grandparents, you go straight for the popsicles and chips.  I don't know where you put all this food, you're so tall and skinny!

At three, you are turning into such an interesting, empathetic, creative person.  You're getting better at sharing things, and you love to play with your best friend, your sister.  When Sawyer cries, you sing him "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," and he calms down almost immediately.  You've always needed time to yourself, and I often find you carrying an armload of princess or animal figures to a corner to play.  I love to listen to the conversations you make them have in your not-quite-perfect three-year-old voice.  And my heart melts when you tell me, "I wuv you, Mommy."

I wuv you, too, Miss Brynn.  You are such a sweet girl, and you make everyone around you feel so joyful and alive.  I am amazed by your beauty and your pure spirit.  Thank you for being my unique and perfect Brynnie.

Love, Mom