Veda: 3

Veda is three. Wow, she's three, but at the same time she's been three for about six months to me. She has matured a lot faster than a certain little boy that I know ;) And seeing their differences in personalities and genders has amazed to no end. So different, yet so similar. I love watching them grow up together.

Veda goes to  'school' two mornings a week. We started out the school year just doing one morning, but she LOVES school and she gets so sad (and bored) without Silas around each morning, so I tagged on another  morning. It is working out really well. She enjoys the kids at school, more so, she enjoys the teachers. The other week we walked into class and the head teacher wasn't in the room, Veda says, "Where is my Kimmy?"

One morning a week I take her to gymnastics. She did one session in the toddler class and I am learning that she has her dad's coordination and build because this girl is strong! They moved her up to the next level before she was three because she was 'ready'. Physically yes, she an animal, and her listening skills are slowing getting better as she realizes that the bigger kids don't just run off and start jumping on the trampoline in the middle of class! Joe always jokes about how he's going to live vicariously through his DAUGHTER when it comes to sports :) We'll see, though, it will be fun to watch what sparks her interest as she gets older.

Oh Veda, she is sugar and spice all rolled in one blond fireball! Her spunk is weirdly inspiring. People often tell me..."She's strong spirited, she won't fall into peer pressure." For some reason I am not worried about her sucumbing to peer pressure, I am more worried about her being the peer that pressures. Ha! I hope her non-stop energy and her sometimes fierce personality turn into a wild confidence that is rolled with enough humility to make her a great friend and well rounded person.

One minute she can defying me and the next she can be my echo and the second mom of the house. Her little raspy voice and her booming vocabulary makes for lots of humor each day.

When I was trying to think of what to get her for her Birthday I realized I can't really pinpoint what she is into these days. She plays with Silas a lot and is happy to conform to any imaginary game his head is in at the time. They build tents (forts), build houses, build ships, organized/hoard their stuffed animals in one random corner of the house. When she's playing independantly she gravitates towards her stuffed animals (putting them to bed), coloring or painting and books. But I wonder if she does that because that is what we have. She have a few dolls, but they hardly get touched. And I imagine if I get a doll house for her Silas will probably play with it more for his imagination with such figures is endless. She prefers to play with someone and even if she is doing something independantly she often requests me to do it with her (paint or color) or at least sit by her. She definitely has a needy side to her. But instead of 'needy' I like to say that her love language is "quality time". I realized that when I give her a task she does really well. Especially if she is particuarlly winey or bored. Give her a little broom and dustpan and tell her what to sweep, she's golden. Give her a wet wipe and ask her to clean the coffee table, she's all over it. A paper some kid scissors, a big mess but a happy girl. I'm learning to get more creative with her to keep her busy/happy and out of trouble. 

She does love to help me do dishes or cook. Which can get tricky. If you can imagine! Every time I turn on the sink she is there ready to 'help'. I take a carton of eggs out of the fridge and she is already asking to break them in the pan. It's a good test of patience on my part! Sometimes I do better than others.

Naps go in phases with her. Not sure if it's a growth spurt or developmental thing, but she will nap great for weeks and then one week she'll decided that it's just not going to happen. She can function fine without a nap, so I don't fight it anymore. I've learned to just roll with it and the more flexible I am (within reason) and the less battle I demand the better she does all around. Obviously, there are non negotiables, but I've become very choosy in picking my battles with her!

She is picky with clothes and I think it's more of a comfort thing than an appearance thing. Dresses are unheard of for her. She will do tights and a skirt, but not a dress. Which, bummer for me, because how cute are little girls in dresses and tights? She is a hot blooded kid so long sleeved shirts are even pushing it in the 'too hot' department. Sweatshirts are not an option. And I haven't owned any footie pajamas since she was an infant. She usually just runs around in her undies in the house. She prefers the nude, but we insist she at least have underwear on!

She got a sucker for wearing this dress :)

Veda is daddy's girl. And I love it! She has Joe wrapped around her little finger. The minute he walks in the door I hear, "Can we play duck duck gray duck, ring around the rosie and crocadile crocadile?!?!?!"  Joe puts Veda to bed every night while I put Silas to bed. Some nights Veda often gets out of her room a number of times. On more than one occasion I can hear her talking to Joe downstairs while I am in my roo getting ready for bed. She tells him she's hungry and that she wants eggs. The next thing I know he's scrambling some eggs for her at 9pm. I just smile as I hear their conversation in the kitchen. Love those two!

Veda is very excited to be a big sister. The kids have named the baby Diego and whenever she is about to get in trouble she runs over to my belly, gives it a hug and starts taking baby talk to the baby. "Hi baby!" I have a feeling this baby is going to recognize Veda's voice right away.

Happy Birthday sweet girl! Thank you for making our lives more exciting and full of laughter, love and adventure. You are amazing and we thank God for you everyday!