My 3 Year Old

Miss Sassy Pants trying on my bathing suit!

My baby girl turned 3 today. 3 years ago at this time, I was sitting in a hospital bed with this little baby in my arms not knowing what in the world I was going to do with her. That whole day was such a whirlwind, but I will never forget that night. I wanted to hold her all night long, so I got all set up in my bed with my pillows all around her. Cory got his couch bed all set up, and he fell right to sleep. It started to rain, and the moon was shining in the room. I was completely overwhelmed by emotion as I listened to Cory's familiar snoring, Adilyn's sweet breathing, and the rain gently falling on the window. I just couldn't believe that I had been so lucky to experience all of this! Brings tears to my eyes now, as I remember it like it was yesterday!


In the last 3 years, Adilyn has certainly taught me many things. Like how easy it is to love your child with unconditional love even when they kick you square in the jaw, or when they are on the ground throwing a fit over wanting juice when you gave them milk. I have never had anyone that I loved so much make me so ridiculously angry!

She has also taught me how to master the art of distraction. My strong-willed girl has gone through phases of not wanting to wear certain shoes, not wanting her diaper changed, or not wanting to get in her car seat. I quickly learned that if I asked her silly questions, she would lay still while I completed the task at hand. Questions like: What color is Goofy's hat? Where does Mickey live? Who does Mommy love? Where is Daddy? Where is Kacy? Where is Willow? and on, and on, and on....

Another thing that I have learned from Adilyn is that when a kid is potty training, and they say they need to go to the bathroom. Stop what you are doing, no matter how important, and let them go!

One more thing that my firstborn has taught me is that even though kids may seem sweet and innocent, they can be very manipulative! Adilyn has recently started asking Cory for things after I have just told her that she couldn't have it. When I respond, "Adilyn, I just told you that you couldn't have that." She says, "I'm asking Daddy!" Also, she learned at a very young age that it was hard for me to leave her room at bedtime if she kept asking for hugs and kisses. I mean, how can you refuse that?!? Being the intelligent one that I am, I instituted the "blowing kisses and blowing hugs at the door" routine.

I have also learned that it is very hard to "stick to your guns" on certain topics. It's hard to not give her the cookie when she is on the ground kicking and screaming after I told her she couldn't have one, but I know that every interaction we have, no matter how small establishes boundaries that will last a lifetime. I want Adilyn to love and respect me, but I also want her to know that I am the boss! :)

Beyond all those silly things, Adilyn has taught me how to love beyond any love that I have ever known or ever imagined. I have been shown a lot of love in my life, and I feel that I have given a lot of love in return. But nothing can ever compare to the love that you have for a child. No matter how mad they make you, none of that ever changes the unconditional love that you have for them.


Addy at age 3! She is...

*Silly! The girl likes to be silly. She likes to laugh and joke around. Once she starts laughing, you can really get her going!

*Naked! As shown in the pictures below, Adilyn likes being naked. She likes showing me her bootie, and she likes to walk out of the bathroom with her shorts pulled down. When I tell her to pull them up, she fakes like she's trying and says, "I can't do it!"

*Stubborn! She will get something in her mind, and she will not let it go! She once wanted a jelly bean. After I told her she couldn't have one, she proceeded to pull her stool to the pantry. She reached as high as she could (I had put them on a shelf that I thought was completely out of reach), and she knocked over a jar of pasta sauce and it hit her in the head...all in the pursuit of a jelly bean.

*Moody! She will be laughing one minute, then yelling. Before you know it she is crying, then laughing again...I can only imagine what the teenage years will bring!

*Creative! She loves to paint and make things. She went through a serious "cutting shapes" phase a while ago. Now she is just back to markers and painting.

*Nervous! She doesn't like parks with "too many peoples". She walks cautiously when we go to new places, and usually wants me to hold her. You know she's nervous when those fingers go in her mouth! I am glad that she is a little tenative because then she is not in people's space all the time, but I wish she would be a little more comfortable playing with new kids. Believe me, I'd take a nervous kid any day over one that went up and talked to strangers all the time.

*Helpful! She is my diaper getter, my paper towel getter, my toy picker upper, and my Kacy watcher. (I have told her that if it ever looks like Kacy is touching something dangerous while I'm distracted or busy to yell, "Danger! Danger!") Her teacher also told me that she always helps kids at school if they fall down or need something. So sweet!

*A crazy snacker! She loves her Cheetos and pretzels! The girl could live on snacks if I let her!



I love you, Adilyn! You make me a better, more patient person everyday! I am proud to be your mother, and I look forward to spending our life making more memories and having fun together!



Shirtless Adilyn pretending to fly like a butterfly!

Adilyn in a box!