Trucks, Tiaras and Tutus: Dear Julianna,

You turned three years old yesterday. Every year at this time I am struck by how quickly time is passing as you, your brother and your sister are growing up.

Lots of stuff happened while you were two. In January you were sick the whole month. You had a fever something like 25 days in just the month of January. In March you had your first plane ride and your first trip to Disney World. You did amazingly well with both. In May we moved to a new house and you moved to your first big girl bed. This summer you spent time at the lake and had a good shaving cream fight. When school started in August you and I had some time to hang out together. We spent a lot of time playing "babies" and cooking in the kitchen. In October we started babysitting for Ben...and he is your most favorite thing in the whole world. This Christmas you made friends with every one you met. You were more than joyous while opening your presents and you now have all of the equipment a good mother should have while caring for her babies.

This year you developed quite a sense of humor. You revel in the center of attention when you are getting people laughing on purpose....but you cry in devastation when people laugh at you when you were not intending to make anyone laugh. You are cautiously friendly with everyone we see and within minutes you are playing sweetly with anyone and everyone.

You have done something that I had thought impossible.You have managed to wrap your dad around your little finger. The amount of stuff you can get away with with him far exceeds the limit he gives your siblings. So far it hasn't been a bad thing. You are rarely in need of discipline and seem to turn your tears into smiles when you see that we are serious about something. All of this being true, I have seen you bring a bit of an attitude into some of your conversations lately...and let me tell you, Daddy has no patience for a bad attitude! If you want him to remain wrapped around your finger, I would suggest keeping your tone polite and respectful to all people.

I have had so much fun this year being your mom. You are a crack up! I can't believe that in a few short months you will be starting preschool. Just so you know, I'm going to be a bit selfish with my time with you. I'm only going to let you go two days a week at first. Only two days a week because if I've learned anything about time with your brother and sister, I have learned that time gets away from you way too fast. I know that in a blink of an eye I will wake up and it will be time to send you off to kindergarten.

As you begin this new year of your life please remain connected to the sweet, optimistic disposition that you have. I can tell you that if you can always see the sunny side of everything, life can only get better from here.

Much love,
Mommy