She's 3!!!!

I am not ready for our sweet Zoe Jane to be one day older so forget another year older.  She brings so much joy, laughter, sass, and pink to our lives.  She is stubborn like her mommy and determined like her daddy.  

Like her brother, she is quite the conversationalist.  She wakes up talking and goes to bed talking.  Sometimes I think she must talk in her sleep :)  She enjoys talking to her Koo Koo on the phone.  At the the end of the day she is the first to greet Sam at the door.  Most days she has spoken 3-4 sentences before he has had time to close the door is closed.  

Some funny things she says:

• Adults are "Badults"
• I love you berry, berry much.
• Her favorite dessert location is Yogurtology which she refers to as, "Yogurtogoly."  Of all the funny things she says this is my favorite.  
• She loves to be chased and often says, "You can't catch me!" 
• "Mommy/daddy, come in the bathroom with me.  Close the door so we can have pwivacy.  Make this face (which is a grunting face we have to make while she goes #2)."
• She often speaks about her brothers and sisters (imaginary, of course).  For example, today she said, "My brothers and sisters went fishing, but they didn't catch a hippopotamus."  
• Her imaginary brothers and sisters have silly names like "Boppee, Boopee,  and Pawpee."
• "God loves you and so do I," at bedtime.  
• "I have one more thing on my mind," delaying bedtime.

Her physical coordination and agility blow us away.  She loves to jump from the 3rd or 4th step down to the ground.  She climbs up the rock walls at the playground and has been doing it since she was barely 2 years old.  She practices standing on one foot, hopping, burpees, running in circles partially because she watches Sam work out and partially because she enjoys the challenges and wants to prove she can do it.  Watching her jump on the trampoline with the bigs kids and with daddy is more like watching a 5 year old instead of a 3 year old.  Honestly, it is hard for me to explain in words how coordinated she is for her age.  The Physical Therapist in me would give her an A+ for proprioception, core control, and balance.  

She is extremely social asking every day, "Where are we going today?"  She always wants to go swimming or to the park or to the Children's Museum or to the library or to anywhere but home.  Part of that is my fault, because we are on the go a lot and part of it is the way God has wired her.  She enjoys the change and the interaction different environments provide.  She enjoys going to Sunday school, BSF, preschool, and to Mrs. Betsy's house where she will get to play with her friends.  The opposite is true for her brother who prefers to stay home.

She likes to pretend she is taking her "friends" to school.  Pretend school is located under the love seat in our family room or on the first step of our staircase.  She lines up her Duplo people or her stuffed animals/baby dolls.  She packs them a lunch using pretend food from her kitchen and stuffs it under the couch.  She then gives them directions regarding lunch, potty time, etc. before beginning to sing songs or read to them.

She is very independent and becomes frustrated quickly when we try to help her put on her clothes or shoes. 

She loves lip gloss and princess shoes.  As a matter of fact, she just gave up her boppy (pacifier) two nights ago, so she could get princess shoes for her birthday.

She gives the best hugs in the world!!

She loves to sing songs and dance around the house.  She typically mixes the words of various songs together.  Her current favorites:

• He came from Heaven to Earth (with hand motions)
• Itsy Bitsy Spider
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
• Trust and Obey
• Wheels on the Bus
• Jingle Bells

Favorite TV shows/movies (throughout the year):

• Nemo
• Doc McStuffins
• Paw Patrol
• Curious George
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Petite Feet (children's instructional ballet DVD)
• Letter Factory

Favorite Books (throughout the year):

• Ladybug Girl
• Puff the Magic Dragon
• Curious George
• Karen Katz lift-the-flap books
• Brownie and Pearl Step Out
• Winners Never Quit
• Ducks Don't Wear Socks
• Olivia Ballerina, Dinner at Olivia's
• What Makes A Rainbow?
• Sandra Boynton books
• Dora's New Adventures: 4 mini books

Favorite Toys:  

• Doc McStuffins Doctor Kit
• Baby Stella
• Friend's Lego Set with Mia
• Melissa and Doug Birthday Cake and Cupcake Set
• Purse stuffed with plastic jewelry or plastic food
• Duplo people
• Minnie Mouse Figurine (she can change her dress, shoes, and head piece)
• Bedtime friends:  Ariel, Pooh Bear, Baby Emma, Praying Baby, Minnie Mouse and a Pink Lovie

Favorite Foods:

• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Juice
• Veggie Straws
• Turkey
• Lollipops
• Applesauce

She currently wears 3/4t.  She is potty trained, but still wears pull ups for nap and bedtime.  She wakes up between 6:30 and 7 a.m.  Thank God she still naps for 1-2 hours each day with bedtime between 7:30 and 8 p.m.  She and Bennett are sharing a room now, so she does well with staying in their room until their clock turns green at 7 a.m.  We went through a season where she was waking up very early ready to start the day, but we trained her to stay in her room until 7 looking at books or playing with her stuffed animals.

To my dearest Zoe,

You are simply delightful!  God truly blessed our family with a sweet gift when He knitted you together in my womb.  I love your determination, your independence and even your stubbornness because I know God is going to use your full personality to serve Him all of your life.  Your hugs, your hug smile, and your LAUGH is something I will always cherish.  I pray God continues to gives you godly wisdom and confidence to know He is where beauty, strength, love, joy and contentment abide.  I pray you give your life to Him at a young age and never turn back.  I pray you always know God loves you and so do I.

Love,

Your momma