The Coywolf turned three on Saturday, and I’m still processing the fact that she’s a full-on toddler.
Mind you, I know she’s technically been a toddler for a while, but El Hub and I still call her “Babytime” because… Well, no reason. That’s just what we do.
I was looking at old pictures of her this morning, and every single year those chubby little cheeks and baby features seem to get further and further away…
It’s a joy to watch children get older, but every birthday breaks my heart a little because the older and bigger she gets, the closer she gets to leaving the nest, which, I know, kids eventually do. I did it. Everybody does it. I just don’t know if my heart will ever be strong enough to let her go, you know?
Now that she’s three — man! — she’s so much fun. It’s really cool to see her personality blossoming. She’s generally a very cheerful and sweet little girl (I can’t believe I just called her a little girl), and she can be shy sometimes around new people, but after she warms up, she’ll happily offer hugs and kisses. She also likes to call the shots, HA HA! I’ve definitely seen her bossing around her peers, a.k.a. “practicing her leadership/future CEO skills.”
She also has a really funny sense of humor and an excellent ear for music. When she sings, it’s always on key, and when I’ve seen her in dance class with rhythm sticks, she’s on the beat, which funnily enough made my brother, who’s a musician, cry tears of joy (he was deathly afraid she’d have no rhythm, for some reason). Right now she loves ballet, Taylor Swift, nursery rhymes, playing soccer and drawing. And her favorite book is Madeline.
Mom-hood at the three-year-old mark is different. I still feel deeply needed by her all the time, but I don’t feel as consumed as I did in the first two years. I have a little more mental room now, and I think that’s partly because I think I have more of a handle on how to be a mom. I’m not walking around like a chicken with its head cut off as much as I did. I mean, I’m sure I’m still doing a sh*t-ton of things wrong (I still worry all the time about this), but I’m also pretty sure I’m doing some things right, too, because she’s turning out to be a pretty cool kid.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Happy Birthday to Connor Claire! I can’t believe she’s three already! I know for a fact that you are an excellent mom because that’s how she’s turning out so darn cool!
Awww…so cute. My daughter loved Madeline as well. She used to love Oswald the Octopus. Such a cute show and books. Something always goes wrong but end up being okay in the end. Oh to go back in time! It seemed my daughter was just three yesterday…now she’s driving! I’d give ANYTHING to go back to not having any me time and snuggle, do crafts and dress up everyday ???
Ooh, I’ll have to look into Oswald the Octopus!
Thank you Donna for the birthday wishes. I will remember to cherish every moment of this time, because soon enough she’ll be demanding the keys so she can go to the mall!
Happy Birthday to Connor Claire! I love the picture in her ballerina pose with her little tights baggy at the knee. She looks happy and strong, and you are clearly doing things right!
Aww, thanks Becky! 🙂
Happy Birthday to your little treasure, health, love and happiness in her life!
Thank you, Amalia!
Happy birthday to ‘ our ‘ little girl
Isn’t she adorable:) can’t believe she is 3 already, still remember when you were pregnant, Karen
All the best , enjoy her while she is still in the nest 🙂
Hugs
The pregnancy feels almost like it was a dream. I can’t believe she was ever in my tummy! I wish I could still remember how it felt to carry her around.
Anyway, thank you for the birthday wishes, Bebe!
Happy Birthday, Connor! I love hearing about her confidence! You must be doing a great job for her to be happy and secure.
Thank you, Kate! 🙂
Some good old fashion motherly advice, I don’t think you ever get over the “letting go” feeling. I know the time is getting closer for Zack to leave the “nest” and venture on his college life, and I have been in a funk about it. I know it will be the best time of his life, but I still yearn for those younger years. You will always feel like to have done a sh*t ton of dumb things, but that is part of parenting.
Anyway, I think I said this before, but whatever activity Connor enjoys, keep encouraging it. I know that wherever Zack winds up, he is going to continue participating in choir. It has become a part of who he is.
Be well!
Oh, I would be in a funk, too! I had a hard time saying goodbye to her at preschool, and that’s just a couple blocks away, LOL! I can’t imagine her actually moving out of the house and not seeing her every day. But I know that time will come.
Got your email about the birthday celebration. Sounds like you guys had fun!
Happy Birthday to Connor! I love her outfit and kinda want to wear one myself. HAHA! Three is a great age and I think you’ll find it gets better every year. Until about 15. 🙂 Your concerns are universal – I’ve done everything wrong and poorly since the boys were born. That’s the curse of being a mom. 😉
Thank you, Kim! She’s obsessed with tutus at the moment and wears one every day. This one is her official dance tutu for ballet class! When we went shopping for it, her main requirement was that it be very fluffy.
I’m already trying to prep myself mentally for the teenage years. She’s very headstrong right now… I can’t even imagine how intense it’ll be when she’s 14 and thinks she knows everything, LOL!
I would absolutely be going for the fluffiest as well! 🙂 I don’t think I have any good teenage advice. It’s still a daily struggle. HAHA! I do think it’s good that you’re trying to prep. I was one of those dummies who thought “oh, I’m sorry to hear how difficult your teens are being” but never 100% believed that my sweet, little pets would ever be that way. Wrong! That said, don’t prep too hard. Focus on savoring the present instead (I know you already do). That’s my sage advice for today. 😉 I think I already suggested sorting photos now for the inevitable milestone slideshows or iMovies.
Happy birthday, Connor Claire! I loved hearing about her pesonality. She sounds like such a sweet girl.
Thank you, Ruchita! She’s the next generation of cat lady, carrying on our legacy!
I love that! She has a bright future ahead of her!
Awwww, happy birthday Connor Claire! Karen, as a fellow mom, I can tell you I think we all doubt ourselves sometimes but you are obviously doing the right things because she sounds like a very well balanced, energetic, loving little girl!
My baby is 18 and still needs me on a daily basis, albeit it’s only to do things he doesn’t want to do, such as his laundry, grabbing him food or to borrow something.
Hi Barb,
They’ll always be our babies, right? I have to admit that one thing I’ll miss dearly is the physical closeness. I sorely miss carrying her in her baby carrier, and now whenever I see moms or dads with a baby strapped next to their chest I feel a pang of jealously. I love being able to give her a hug and be hugged pretty much whenever!
I’ve heard from friends that the years between 14-18 fly by what seems like seconds.
Yes, they do. The 4 years of high school were the quickest ever! No joke, I blinked and he was graduating. It’s crazy.
so beautiful to see such a sweet and cherished girl. Mom hood mistakes be damned, enjoy it and live in the moment because it flies by! my “baby” will graduate from high school next year. yikes!!!
Cutest ballerina ever!
“I mean, I’m sure I’m still doing a sh*t-ton of things wrong (I still worry all the time about this), but I’m also pretty sure I’m doing some things right, too, because she’s turning out to be a pretty cool kid.”
You don’t have to be a perfect Mom. You just need to try to be the best Mom you know how to be and to ask for help when in doubt. And love her as much as you are able. Kids don’t need a lot of stuff, but they do need to know they are loved and to have boundaries and guidance.
Madeline! Still love that book! Must have read it 50 bijillion times when Dear Daughter was younger.
And I still call my daughter “Babycakes” every now and then and she’s in her mid 20s.
Happy birthday Coywolf! I can’t believe she’s three! You’re doing great Karen. I mean she’s already ahead of me if she has rhythm and can sing on key ?
There’s a ballet school in the same building as my circus gym so I’m always impressed by the dancers. The siblings are always peeking through the windows at us.
Happy birthday, Connor Claire! My son turns three today, and I can´t believe how quickly time went. My eldest is five and really grown up, and it seems like yesterday when they were constantly needing you, while now half an hour can pass without them even looking up.
I bet you are dong great, raising such a happy little girl.
Awwww…How adorable! I hope she had a great birthday. She sounds like an awesome kid.
Happy Birthday baby girl! She’s so girly and cute. Mini Karen. Time sure flies.
Happy belated bday to Connor Claire!