COPPOLA: Happy 3rd Birthday, Brynn!

Our baby is 3 years old! It didn't really hit me until last night how grown-up she is. When Carter was 3, he had a 2-month-old sister and it just seemed like he was so old...out of the toddler stage, could do things independently, and followed directions easily. It's crazy to see Brynn at this same age and realize that she's the baby in the family. How times flies.

Our Brynn has quite the personality. I could sugar-coat my description of her, but I'm going to be honest since I want to look back at this blog later and be reminded of what life was like when she was 3. She can be super-sweet and cute and loving. She dances around the house and sings constantly. She loves her mom and would be attached to me at all times if she could. She gives lots of kisses and says really funny things. Her laugh is adorable and she can really get on a roll with her giggles. But she's definitely not easy. She can be super moody and high-maintenance. Please tell me this isn't how she's going to be for the rest of her life! My sister-in-law described it best recently...her highs are high and her lows are low. That is sooo true! When she's in a good mood, she can be the sweetest thing alive and I couldn't love her any more. But when she's cranky, she can make everyday things very challenging. My biggest goals for her would be to be nicer to her brother, not be so jealous if I am not giving her 100% of my attention, and to learn to accept that she did something wrong and that she has to stay in time-out. These are definitely our biggest struggles and so if she has my full attention or things go her way, then we really don't have any problems at all. It's just hard for a 3-year-old to realize that sometimes she doesn't get what she wants right when she wants it. I'm hoping and praying that some of this will change as she gets older. The good news is that she really only acts this way at home. Hedy and the grandparents all say that she's great at their house. Hedy even told me recently that she's so helpful and sweet there...and that she's consistently one of her best-behaved kids. That gives me hope that she'll be a rule-following student someday! :)

Yesterday, on her birthday, she was the most delightful little girl. It was honestly one of the best days we've had with her in a while...she was happy and sweet all day long. She sat quietly through church and snuggled with me almost the entire time. She didn't complain when the donut shop was out of sprinkled donuts and happily ate her plain white one. She played nicely with her toys and helped us get ready for her party. She was excited to see everyone as they showed up at our house. She said thank-you to every gift and even asked her cousins to help her open presents. She smiled for pictures and shared her toys and ate her dinner and gave hugs when everyone left. She didn't fight her nap, and despite waking up a bit cranky, was all smiles within a matter of minutes. She snuggled us during family movie night and played dress-up for a full hour and made us think she was just the best little thing in the whole world.

Happy birthday, Sweet Girl!

The girls' table with princess skirts and paper crowns.

A quick surprise visit from Cassie and Karri.

The spread of food (minus a few things). Chicken salad sandwiches, crown-shaped turkey sandwiches, magic wands made of grapes and honeydew, chips, veggies and pasta salad.

Working hard....

Uncle Kyle is always a hit with the kids. :)

The girls opening presents.

Her new car! We realize this is probably made for an 18-month-old, but this is by-far her favorite toy when we visit friends. It was time for Brynn to have one of her own!