I have no excuse for the lack of posts over this past year -- except that life with two kiddos finally caught up with me and things got busy. You turned three in December and it's definitely time for an update! It's been a big year for you & I'll try to give you some highlights.
You're still our teeny tiny little girl! I told your dad the other day (when you were running around the house naked, a common occurrence) that you look like a string bean. Your height and weight have remained around the 50th percentile over the past couple years. What's so funny is that despite being so skinny, you're our little garbage disposal and eat like crazy. You can eat a full breakfast (usually more than your sister) and 15 minutes later be saying "mama, I hungry!"
Unfortunately, you have had one medical issue that's going on -- you were diagnosed with an eye condition called exotropia (a type of strabismus) -- which basically means that one of your eyes wanders outward. You've been seeing a pediatric ophthalmologist in Evansville and during your last appointment she recommended corrective surgery. We decided to get a second opinion and made an appointment at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. The doctor there wants to exhaust every possible solution before jumping right into surgery, so we were sent home with a prescription for your first pair of glasses & a whole lot of thankfulness! It's possible you'll still need surgery someday in the future, but we're thankful that day isn't anytime soon. And look how adorable you are in your new glasses!
And on a different note (man, I'm all over the place with these topics! A whole year to catch up on!), you took your first trip to Disney World in October! Your Grammie Arlene wanted you and Caroline to experience Disney while you're still little, so she treated us to a week-long trip & it was absolutely amazing. You had some trouble waiting in the longer lines (a few tantrums may have been thrown), but other than that - a perfect angel. We loved watching your eyes light up when you saw characters for the first time -- it was magical. Your favorite rides were the Mad Tea Party teacups and Prince Charming Regal Carousel. You did NOT enjoy Haunted Mansion and remind us about that almost daily. "Can we go back to Disney World soon? And not ride Haunted Mansion? Please?"
My favorite Reese moment of the entire trip occurred on our first full day at Magic Kingdom. We had lunch reservations at Cinderella's Royal Table, and you were getting a little impatient waiting to meet Cinderella before we were seated to eat. Okay, "a little impatient" is generous. By the time we got to the front of the line, you were throwing a huge, lay on the floor, scream, cry temper tantrum. Your dad and I had tried holding you, consoling you - and nothing worked. You were just tired and hungry and not happy with waiting in (yet another) long line.
Anyway, so we reached the front of the line and you spotted Cinderella. Despite wanting nothing to do with your father or myself, you ran straight into her arms and just held on so tight. And Cinderella held you right back, not letting go. I'm so thankful your dad snapped a good picture of that moment. We're convinced that all you needed in that moment was to be held by a real princess. After we got upstairs and were seated for lunch, I looked over at you and realized that you had lipstick on your forehead - a kiss from Cinderella! It seriously makes me teary-eyed even thinking about the whole experience. Disney magic at it's absolute best.
One thing you really surprised us with last year was potty-training. I had a really hard time getting Caroline potty-trained that I was honestly dreading starting the whole process with you. But last summer we bought you some big girl underwear (Tinkerbell, your absolute favorite) and you were somehow magically potty-trained. I didn't have to do anything, except maybe occasionally remind you to try to go pee if you hadn't in awhile. You never had any accidents & stayed dry through the night with no problem. I still don't really understand why it was so easy, but I'm incredibly thankful.
Although you are pretty well-behaved for a 3-year-old, you do continue to test our patience. You're put in time-out at least a few times a week -- and on difficult days, sometimes a few times a day. You have a tendency to hit, refuse to follow directions & once in a blue moon -- bite. I'm hoping this is just a phase you'll grow out of -- and I would say that about 95% of the time you're a perfectly well-behaved little girl. It's just that other 5% of the time that makes me want to pull my hair out. ;)
And probably the biggest change of the entire year...... we moved! We sold the house where we brought you home from the hospital (in Evansville) and bought one in Posey County. We're closer to your Grammie here, have a full basement and huge yard for you guys to play in, and most importantly - you guys are in an excellent school system here. We're still adjusting to life in the country, as opposed to our old house where we were 1/2 a mile from a grocery store and *gasp* had sidewalks, but it's really been wonderful. You and your sister seem truly happy here.
Now let's move on to the best part... pictures! These are some of my favorites from the last year -- but keep in mind that I save every single picture from my phone -- so whenever you're ready to sift through 850 million pictures of tiny Reese Cup, you just let me know. There's a whole lot more from where these came from!
We're so proud of the little girl you're growing up to be, Reese. You're beautiful, smart, hilarious, energetic & charming. Thank you for being you!
Now let's move on to the best part... pictures! These are some of my favorites from the last year -- but keep in mind that I save every single picture from my phone -- so whenever you're ready to sift through 850 million pictures of tiny Reese Cup, you just let me know. There's a whole lot more from where these came from!
We're so proud of the little girl you're growing up to be, Reese. You're beautiful, smart, hilarious, energetic & charming. Thank you for being you!
