Dear Caroline… You Are Three Years Old!

How is it possible that today marks 3 years since you entered this world my love? It seems like just yesterday I was feeling you kick, listening to your hiccups inside my belly, and then miraculously hearing you cry for the first time when you finally made your debut… on your due date no less.
These yearly updates//letters to you bring me so much joy to write as I sit there, thinking about just how much has transpired this past year. It’s surreal to look back at 2012 and 2013 and to see you’ve grown leaps and bounds (literally and figuratively) in every sense of the word and I cannot help but get sentimental at the idea that my 1st baby is growing up way too quickly and these years are passing by in an instant.
So, what’s going on with you these days my Tuttie?
Let’s start off with your personality… the things that make you YOU. 
First of all, you have so much spunk and liveliness that you go and go and go and then pass out in exhaustion on most days… you can be shy at times when you first meet people, but warm up quickly, and then it’s time for the Tuttie show. You LOVE to talk, babble, and converse with anyone and everyone and it amazes me just how incredible your vocabulary is. You ask “why” and “how” all the time and sometimes I catch myself trying to figure out how a three year old has outsmarted her mommy and daddy… yes, it happens and we can’t help but laugh. You are extremely kind and considerate of others by nature and have the biggest heart… you love to cuddle, hug, and give kisses and to see you love on your sister and interact with her is simply the best thing I have ever witnessed. The bond you share with her is one I am forever grateful for and watching you two play together gives daddy and I great joy and happiness.
Other traits that deserve attention is your desire to sing, dance, and play musical instruments… you LOVE a good dance party and you might have a future as a karaoke singer based on the way you belt out “Let it Go” on your microphone. And yes, you love the applause baby!
The Ways You Enjoy Spending Time. 
I’m pretty sure if you could stay outside 24 hours a day, you would… since it’s slowly started warming up here in Nashville, we’ve made the most of our afternoons and evenings and are trying to plaay as much as we can before it gets dark. Riding our tricycles, bouncing balls, and playing fetch with Chloe are some of your favorite past times and you love to help daddy grill, too.
You’re also a helper by nature and love to assist whenever you can… from unloading groceries to pulling up your laptop and “working” with me, you always want to help! A favorite is calling Mimi/Pappy and Gran/Papa as much as possible to talk to them about your day and I know it giggles them to hear you talk about school, church, your friends (Annie and Margaret from MDO), and how your sister is always taking your toys without asking.
Funny Things I Want to Remember. 
I hope these little tidbits I remember always, just so I can tell you once you’re older, such as how you call granola bars “BBQ”, how you beg for Chick Fil A every Saturday so it’s become a weekly tradition, how you despise having your teeth brushed, but will do it if we sing the ABCs, how much you love popcorn and ask to eat it for breakfast, how you like to play doctor and give me shots in the arm while saying “it won’t hurt baby, don’t cry”… the list of funny little nuances goes on and on my little darling. Right now, your favorite movie is “Pocashontas Germy” (AKA Pocahontas II), your favorite morning treat are daddy’s homemade pancakes (but only when he puts blueberries in the batter), and how you hate it when we turn on the gas fireplace.
I love that we NEVER know what’s going to come out of your mouth next and how you despise being dirty (you are SO my child CC). You’re also extremely independent and hate having to ask for help… dress up is a daily rotation and your pink rain boots are absolutely your favorite accessory, even when it’s not raining outside.
You’re our good luck charm baby girl… and always remember mommy loves you the MOST in the whole world… I never knew what unconditional love was until I met you on March 17th, 2012 and you have completed me in so many ways.
Caroline Cate, happy birthday my darling Tuttie. Cheers to another year of wonderful, incredible you.