My Sweet Caroline

Dearest Tess, my sweet little angel faced girl, today you are a 3 yr old.

While I sometimes wondered after your big brother was born if another would follow him, I can't imagine not knowing you. You have brought so much joy into our lives. You are my sunshine, my moon, and my stars.

I love everything about you.

I love your big blue eyes, your little blond ringlets, and your scrunchy face grin.

I love when you laugh, when you giggle, when you shriek.

I love the way you are the only one to call me Mama.

I love listening to your sweet toddler voice.

I love that you love your brothers and sister, even though they are sometimes mean to you.

I love that you are a girly girl and can't go a day without dressing up.

I love that you love piggy tails.

I love that you don't think twice about getting dirty.

I love how you hide your face when you know you're up to something and you see me watching.

I love how you play hide and seek but tell me where you are.

I love when you ask to go wimming in your baby suit, and even though I think you're too big for it now, it's still adorable when you say "I wanna bobble, peeeease."

I love that I told you you're a big girl now and you don't need a bobble and you went right to bed.

I love that you waited until the day before your third birthday to start climbing out of your crib.

I love that you think I'm a docker who catches babies even though that's not quite right.

I love how you pucker up for "lips" even though I caught you putting lipgloss on a dinosaur one day.

I love how you grab my face in your hands to give kisses.

I love snuggling next to your squishy little toddler body even though I end up on the edge of the bed and your hair gets in my face.

I love how you can't resist water no matter if it's a pool, shower, bath, or hose.

I love that you are not a picky eater.

I love that you love brocki and you know to spit cherry pits.

I love that you can wrap anything in a dishtowel and call it a baby.

I loved you the minute I knew you were there.

I loved you more when you swam into my arms.

I love you each and every day that I know you.

I love you when I'm away from you and when I come home to your smiles and hugs.

I love that you know that I love you.

I love that your mine, Tess Caroline.