Three Years Old (Love, Daddy)

My Dear Nora,

I'm still coming to terms with the fact that you're three years old! It's so hard for me not to think of you as that tiny little baby with the heart-shaped face who made your appearance in the summer of 2015. Your birthday celebration this year was a joyful thing. In the morning our dining room table was full of you and Luke's friends, all eager to celebrate you. You sat at the head of the table with your pink party crown and t-shirt that said 'birthday girl.' Mommy did such a nice job of decorating our house and preparing for your special party, as she always does. Right before we started singing happy birthday you announced, 'I'm ready.' You grinned and looked around the table as we sang, and then proudly blew out the candles. Later in the day the table was again filled with loved ones, this time Nana, Papa, Honey, Grandpa, Bama, Luke, me, and mommy. It was so sweet and special to celebrate you! 

When I think of you at this age, here are a few things that come to mind: 

• You love Mr. Rogers and Cat in the Hat (as you say, Cah-nah-hah).
• You love to be held, and excitedly hug me when I wake up in the morning and come home from work. 
• You will often ask, 'Daddy, will you hold me?' I almost never say no!
• You're a picky eater.
• You like to help me make my espresso by pushing the buttons on the machine. 
• When I come home from work you will run up to me and warmly welcome me home.
• When you're excited to tell me something, your eyes get really big and you dramatically say it as if you're expecting me to be amazed by what you're saying. So cute!
• I still give you a bath every night, and brush your teeth most nights (Mommy does this sometimes). 
• You like to snuggle in your towel after your bath.
• Your favorite book to read with me is 'Little Owl's Night'.
• You like to run all the way across the house (upstairs or downstairs), and have me watch how fast you are.
• You are very sweet and nurturing; you will tell me that your baby doll or doggy is crying and needs to be comforted. 
• When you're upset about something, you'll ask, 'Daddy will you comfort me?'
• You like to be silly with Luke and play with his toys. 
• You'll ask to talk about things that we've been learning about, for example, 'Daddy, can we talk about space?'
• When I wrestle with Luke you like to sit nearby and watch. Your first experience with spectator sports!
• You like to follow me around after work when I'm changing and putting my things away. 
• Your cheeks are still chubby and cute! I'm trying to enjoy them while they last. I will kiss them over and over while I'm getting you dressed after your bath and you'll laugh as if I'm tickling you. 
• Thunder scares you, but you'll try to comfort yourself by saying things that we tell you, like 'It's just a noise' or 'it's just clouds bumping into each other.'

Nora, you are treasure - a beautiful gift from the Lord who brings joy to our lives each day. I love you so much and I'm so happy I get to be your daddy!

Love,

Daddy