Freeze time

I feel like there has been a lot of special bonding between Kelsie and I this week. I can't put my finger on it, but its just all these sweet moments added together that have made us feel even closer. On numerous occasions this week, I have thought...I just wish I could keep her like this forever. 

I notice how sweet and loving she is and how she now displays affection towards me like I do to her. Sometimes, she will be sitting next to me or with her head on my shoulder and will just randomly say "I love you mommy". I then say "I love you too Kelsie" and she replies, "I love you more!" and on and on it goes! :) I can assure you, I wouldn't take anything for those moments. Absolutely priceless!

Somedays its like I can just see her changing right before my eyes! I can just see her maturing into this little girl day by day. I've decided 3 is this age where you still see them as a baby in some ways, but also start to notice this mature little person developing. They are able to have conversations with you and are so inquisitive about everything around them. They start to figure out how the world works a little more each day. I am finding so much joy just watching her and witnessing all of her new discoveries. I can just see her soaking in everything around her. Her curiosity and imagination are at a peak right now and I want to encourage every ounce of it! I love how she literally raises her little finger to scratch her head when you say a new word and she says "hmmm, what's a ______? (Today it was "art festival".) There are so many opportunities to teach, so many things to encourage and at the same time a responsibility to foster the right behaviors and tame the negative ones. I notice her trying to be just like me (reminding me to always be kind, speaky gently, be patient, speak respect, and behave like I want her to behave).

I am really excited about the next year with a 3 year old. I have heard 3 is the worst in terms of behavior and two weeks ago, I was believing it! But somehow we got over that one week of her really pushing the limits to the extreme, and this week has been completely better. We have spent a lot of time together and have had so much fun! I just love hearing what she has to say every day. I love hearing her heart express itself and learning what her mind thinks of. And I make sure I tell her too! What an absolute joy it is to be her mother and to watch her grow, day by day, minute by minute! More in love every day!

 Museum of Life and Science

Home all day yesterday...she had fever all day and was definitely quite the snuggle bug!

Such a sweet heart she has!

It is still hard to leave Kelsie behind when I have to go to work. I love my job, don't get me wrong, but I do really miss being home with her. Especially when she asks me to "please stay home and play with me" and says "but I'm going to miss you." And this morning she stood at the door with that pitiful look on her face as I drove away. No crying anymore, but clearly sad that we have to be a apart.

We do have a strong and wonderful bond, she and I. I can't even describe it. The love we have for each other is just something only we can understand. I feel it more every day. And it feels even sweeter now that she is getting older and more able to express it in words. Many times this week, she will just randomly be staring at me and say "I yuv you mommy!" There is nothing greater than hearing those genuine, heartfelt words from little one! Oh its just so sweet!

And the greeting I get when I walk through the door after coming home from work (or anywhere really) is just priceless! She runs to me yelling "mommy, mommy, mommy!" with that look of pure joy on her face as she wraps me up in a hug and buries her face in my neck.

Today, she did this and then said, "mommy, you yook so pitty!" She later told me again "I yuv you mommy, you sooooo pitty! You yook yike a pitty pitty pincess!" What sweet sweet words from that precious child! I love that she is learning to compliment others with no one even asking her to. I later told her I was going to change clothes but she said "No, I want you yook yike a princess!" I guess its safe to say she liked the skirt I was wearing! 

We also had our dinner outside tonight. Nathan picked up subs so it was a nice picnic outside. Weather was gorgeous!! 

Lying on my legs watching the clouds!