happy birthday, azalea!

my sweet azalea,

you are 3 years old today! where has the time gone? i could have sworn you just turned 2...and 1...and were just born, for that matter! you are confidently leaving toddlerhood behind and becoming your own little person. you have grown and developed so much this year. bringing a new baby home was a huge reminder of how grown up and independent you are. i'm so proud of the milestones you achieved this year: getting better at cleaning/dressing yourself, using the potty, practicing good manners, sleeping (a smidge) later on the weekends, continuing to take naps(!), helping dada cook and bake, being sweet to your brother, asking where ev-ery-one is 50 times a day. of course you have also showed us the, ahem...less fun side of toddlerhood. you are always testing the boundaries, you don't like when we tell you no, you act out seemingly to get time outs (cause and effect?). we know you are listening because you have a good understanding of the rules of the house and love to rattle them off when we discipline you. 

you love to give us hugs and kisses and tell us you love us - and i can't get enough of it! we are so lucky to have you in our lives and i look forward to all the adventures to come. xoxo

love, mama

24 to 36 months