Dear littlest Kate,

Welcome to the world, baby Kate. It has been a wonderful three years.

Such a sweet baby...

You smiled on your first birthday, and haven't stopped smiling

First birthday

First bite of something sweet, yum carrot cake.

Kate and Kate

Enjoying a cupcake pre-party (2nd birthday)

Celebrating her 2nd birthday with family and friends, fairy-style

Getting ready to eat cake in her next outfit for the evening: her new swimsuit. She is our little swimming fish.

The almost three year old Kate. This year she informed me she didn't want a party, doesn't want anyone to sing happy birthday because it is embarrassing. She just wants waffles for breakfast, tomato soup for lunch, pizza for dinner, a chocolate cake "all the way round", and a bag of sand with ants too (ant farm) She truly is a low maintenance little girl.

I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. Being at the hospital with Adam and your Aunt Kate waiting to be induced. You were a week over due and I had low amniotic fluid. I remember relaxing, laughing, listening to music as the contractions came on. At first they were light. I walked the halls, sat on the big ball, smiled, welcomed them with all my heart. After a few hours they started to increase in intensity. I hung on hour after hour determined to bring you into this world without an epidural. Around 7 centimeters and 10 hours after being induced I broke down and got the epidural, the relief was amazing. I was able to relax, and mentally prepare for welcoming my first daughter into the world. I remember feeling like I didn't even need the doctor to deliver you. You were ready to join us, the pressure was incredible, and I felt for sure I could just push you out in one push and catch you with my own hands. Our amazing midwife was there every step of the way, the Be Good Tanyas blasting in the background, my mom and Julia beaming with excitement, Adam smiling ear to ear ride by my side, and your Aunt Kate, your namesake actually caught you as you slid out of my body.
Your head was round and soft and perfect. Your pink lips eager to nurse, and warm, lovable body eager to cuddle.
We brought you home and you fit right in. Your brother Charlie at the young age of 19 months was very happy to see us all after having a staycation at my parents' house for 3 days.
It felt amazing having another tiny being in my arms. From the beginning everything seemed so simple with you. You nursed, slept in my ergo or arms, cuddled on your daddy's chest, sat next to your brother in the little chair. Both your bodies were so small you could fit anywhere together: swing, carseat, bouncy chair, my lap. You started smiling and cooing very early on, and were the happiest, sweetest, and most beautiful baby.
You were very connected to me from the beginning, and you still are. You never took a bottle, didn't want to be in a room I wasn't in, and preferred sleeping in the crook of my arm since the day you were born. Knowing how fast time flies I was and still am completely content to spend as much time holding you.
You started walking before you were 1, beating your brother in that department by something like 5 months. You learned signs quickly but by the time you were 13 months you realized that you could say the world just as easy. By 18 months you were talking in sentences, singing complete songs, and blowing everyone away with your charm, sense of humor, big smile, and sassy demeanor. 22 months you decided you were done with diapers for the most part. At 2 years old you decided pants, skirts, and jeans were unnecessary and stuck with tights, one of three shirts, and boots.
I watch you all day, Kate. I watch you brush your hair out of your eyes, I watch you read book after book to yourself everyday. I watch you take flying leaps off the couch, watch you look at your brother with such loving and endearing eyes. I watch you jump on Lily, taking your love for her one step to far and then following up with a kiss. I watch your face brighten up when daddy comes home. I watch your adorable body as you eat every meal standing in your seat.
I laugh at the way you say "Whose that?" for everything, marvel at the fact that your favorite word is "poopy head". I am inspired by your understanding and flexibility when your brother is in one of his moods. Just this morning you informed Pa that Charlie was going to your birthday party because he is too moody. My mood is lightened when I hear your sing. I watch you sleep, too. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back to sleep, I just lay next to you and watch you. You have the sweetest face, freckles lining your nose and under your eyes, the fullest lips, and cute little whisps of hair that stick to your head in curls at night.
I look into your eyes and see myself. A mini me. I see you see spot a kid from across the park and claim you "hate" that kid, and although I would rather you proclaim you "love" that stranger...I giggle inside at your sassy, spunky personality. Time to time you have to yell at the universe (or me) and that is fine by me. I love every part of you. I know your stubbornness and desire to question authority will help you become a strong, independent and thoughtful teenager and adult.
So Kate on your third birthday I want you to know that you really are my sunshine. You brighten my day, make me laugh, encourage me to be young again, challenge me to stay calm, continue to help me become the most loving, accepting, patient, and flexible mom I can be.

From your fantastic naked dance moves, to your everyday get up of tights and boots, to your silly faces, to the way you play so creatively, from hearing your sweet little song echo from room to room, to the way you ride your balance bike along the coastal trail, to overhearing you "read" book after book throughout the day, to the way you play "molerats" "mommy-daddy" and "couch-play" with your brother, to the way you adore Lily and Henry, and the way you spend your days rough housing with Charlie and his friends, to the way you proclaim you like to cry, from your opinionated ways to the way you hold your sweet little hand on top of my belly to feel the baby move, to the way you say things like: It is beautiful today, let's go outside, or the way you jump into the swimming pool and swim the other end and climb out all on your own, from the way you still crawl into my lap and want to be snuggled to the way you push me away and telling me to "stop talking to you"....I love you. Every part of you. You amaze me and everyone else who is lucky enough to be a part of your life. I am smitten with you. You truly make this world a better place, and although I hate to let go of the 2 year old girl I am so in love with, and I am excited to get to know the 3 year old Kate.
Even though you don't want a party, and don't want anyone to say Happy Birthday or sing to you tonight, I am saying it loud and proud here. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE, We LOVE the little person you have become.