Dear Gracie,

Dear Gracie,

I can not believe that you are already 3 years old today.   I guess it is true time flies when you're having fun.  Three years ago at exactly 2:01pm God blessed us with you, a beautiful, smiling baby girl.  You were perfect in every way!  Mommy gets kind of emotional on your birthday and as you and Hayden get older, you will both understand.  It was a perfect September in 2008, and I thank God everyday for all of our many blessings.  You were so patient making your arrival but not anymore, when you want something, you want it right then.  You can be a little demanding at times, but we all love you for that!  You tend to pitch a fit when you don't get your way, but we are working on that because we don't want you to be that kid that no one wants to play with. You started Preschool this year and even though you cried everyday for the first week you absolutely love it now and can't wait to go.  I love the way that you follow Hayden around and do everything and I do mean everything she does, you are the true definition of a copycat!  The good thing is that Hayden loves it too, well most of the time anyway.  You have had so many accomplishments in the past three years....rolling over, crawling, walking, talking, running and finally potty trained...you were a little hard headed about it but we finally got through it!   You are a very beautiful, determined, intelligent, loving, and smiling little girl now.  I guess even though you will always be my baby, you are a little girl now!  Some of your favorite things are riding your tricycle, scooter, playing babies, and dress up.  This year not only did you start school but also Ballet, I love your excitement about Ballet...everyday you ask when you get to go back again.  Your Daddy thought you were going to be the tomboy but I think you are going to be a prissy little girl instead.   The funniest things you do are dressing up in silly outfits and singing and performing for us in front of the TV and when you act like your the baby and Hayden is the Mommy!

You picked Cinderella for your 3 year old birthday party theme.  We are going to have a pool party at Mimi and Pop's house next weekend to celebrate with everyone, but for tonight it will just be our perfect little family celebrating.  This year you also became a big sister, which you made you so happy.  You are very sweet to your brother and always trying to help Mommy take care of him.  He is going to love you and he will probably be following you around pretty soon, just like you do Hayden!  Everyone was so worried that you would feel left out since you are the middle child, but you absolutely make sure that doesn't happen, which is truly something I love and admire about you.  See the way I see it is you are very lucky because not only do you get to be a big sister but you also get to be a little sister, you get the best of both worlds!!! 

We all love you so much baby girl!!!  We hope you have an amazing 3rd Birthday!

We will always love you bunches,

Mommy and Daddy