Lily Lou

This is Lily on her first day of school last year. I can't believe how much she has grown up. Nobody ever tells you how hard it is to have a three year old. Other parents always warn, "Terrible Twos!" "You think it's hard now, just wait until they are teenagers!" However, you never hear that three is difficult. Well, let this be a warning to you: Three is HARD! I'd be tempted to say even harder than the newborn phase; however, I could just be blocking those difficult memories altogether.

Three year olds have the patience of a two year old but more language to whine, and argue, and throw some major temper tantrums. Couple that with a personality that likes to test the waters on everything her parents do....you've got a very difficult phase. I am so glad that we are finished with that! Lily continues to have her moments, but they are fewer and farther between. She is now a little girl that has insightful conversations and is concerned when her siblings need something. She is growing up so fast and the girl that would wear red stripes and purple polka dots in the same outfit is now concerned about matching a little closer to her peers. I hope that three year old that enjoyed expressing herself with fashion doesn't disappear all together!

Here is the picture of Lily on her first day this year. It was her idea to make that face! I couldn't believe she remembered making that funny face last year.

Lily has taught me some valuable lessons and continues to amaze me with her spunky personality. She has, on more than one occasion, made me want to pull my hair out by the roots. However, now that the good moments happen way more than the bad moments; she has made me appreciate my life and just how far we've come.

So, don't let anyone fool you. Three could be the hardest parenting year. . .but, when they get to about four and a half, all of your hard work will start to pay off. Tenfold.