Dear Gabriele...

[written 1/12/12]
Today you are 3! 3?! I can remember so vividly the day you joined our family. Your dad and I were so excited that it was finally time to meet you. We had everything ready for you...a beautiful nursery, lots of beautiful clothes, and everything we thought we needed to keep you healthy, safe, and happy. Your aunt Brande and cousin Porter even flew out from Georgia hoping to be here for your arrival. But your due date (Jan 4th) came and went with no signs at all that you would be here soon. So finally on the 12th we had had enough waiting and we checked into the hospital that morning. Mommy was induced and had it in her head that since you were already so late anyway that she was going to be in the hospital for quite awhile before you got here. Around dinner time Daddy left with uncle Derek to get some dinner and that's about when you decided enough was enough. As soon as Daddy came back it was time! And so at 9:01 you joined our family and your Mommy's and Daddy's hearts quadrupled! You were a good baby right away. For the first half an hour you were wide eyed and perfectly content to take in everything you could about your new world. We brought you home two days later and I was so worried about everything being perfect. Thank goodness I had your dad to help me! You would not sleep in your crib for about the first 6 weeks and you were colicky too. Your daddy would walk with you and hold you every night until around midnight or 1:00 am until you would finally go to sleep in your swing.
You were quick to do things like holding your bottle (3 months,) rolling over (4 months) and sleeping through the night (once you decided your crib was pretty great!) Mommy and Daddy both worked days until you were about 9 months old and so you got to spend a lot of time with your new cousin, Ryder and Anistyn and aunt Debbie. Then around 9 months old I switched to working nights and so your Daddy would put you to bed at night while I slept from 8-12 pm and then went to work from 1-10 am. Daddy would get you up and have breakfast before Mommy came home. Then Mommy would play with you for about an hour before we both had a two or three hour nap. Then we got to play all day until around 8 and we'd start all over again.
We had the cutest ever 1st birthday party for you! It was a Minnie Mouse theme because you are so "Mini!" You became Mommy's little buddy! Especially in April when we decided it would be best for you and any of your future brothers and/or sisters if Mommy stayed home full time. We did everything together! We went to parks, went swimming, jogged with you in the stroller, and went out to eat. By the time you turned 2 you had already been to Lake Powell (Mommy's favorite) twice! You also flew on a plane with Mommy to Georgia to visit cousins for a week. You were so good on all the flights. We had a great time in Georgia swimming and playing but you did not like the heat (we went in June!) We had another fun birthday party that was barnyard animal themed and you had a sister on the way!
You sure have learned and grown a lot this year! Well, maybe not so much height-wise! :) I'm real sorry about that! :) You went to Disneyland this year for your first time! Your favorite ride was the carousel. You were a little afraid of the dark and so most of the things we rode or saw had to be outside. You had a great time and really liked meeting Minnie, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and the princesses! You love Disney movies! I don't think you have a favorite, you go through phases where you'll watch the same movie for several days and then move on. You love anything princess and Minnie and/or Mickey related.
This year you had a campout in the backyard and loved it! You went to Las Vegas with Mommy and your Allred cousins to visit aunt Brande and uncle Richard but you didn't like Vegas much. Neither do Mommy and Daddy so that's okay. You took up gymnastics and are doing so well! You always ask Mommy if you can go to "jumps."
Just before you turned three we moved you into a new room with a high bed like Anistyn's with Minnie Mouse sheets and comforter. You were so excited and loved your new pretty room! You take naps there but still prefer to sleep with Mommy and Daddy. The biggest thing that happened to you this year was becoming a big sister. (Oh, and potty-training!) You were not so sure about Adelaide for the first few days but you started asking to hold her more often and then decided you loved her! You are a great big sister! You have always been a very gentle and sweet soul. Even when you give high-fives you are soft about it. You just love other kids and are kind to them but you are also a bit shy at first. You love to help out in the kitchen and to clean up! You don't like sticky/dirty hands which you got from your Mommy. You're kind of a Daddy's girl and get so excited when he comes home from work. You don't want anyone to be sad and that is one of my favorite things about you. You like to have your finger and toe nails painted and lately have liked to be fancy by getting your hair done and wearing jewelry. You mind your parents pretty well and are a good helper. You are not a very big eater and never have been. You mostly prefer drinks to food. For example, warm milk, apple juice, root-beer. Even as a baby you could go 4 or more hours between feedings. When you go from one place to another you are often running and it's the cutest run! It reminds me a lot of your grandma Janet. It's sort of a bouncy run - so cute! You love your dogs Bree, Ash, and Castle and often include them when you say your "ni-nights." You know your colors very well and are doing pretty well with numbers too. And speaking of coloring, you are awesome! You know how to hold pens, crayons, and whatever writing device like a grown-up and really are careful to try to stay close to the lines. You like to sing and dance and have some favorite songs already! 'Boots with the fur', 'I like it, I love it', 'So What', 'Felt Good on my lips', 'I Got it from my Momma' - these are most of them. You are so precious to your mom and dad and Addy already looks up to you. We love you more than all the stars are so grateful you are part of our family.

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