Audrey: 3 years.

Hi sweet angel baby, you turned 3 a couple weeks ago. Three years with our sweet, spunky, doot scoot riot. I can't believe how big you are, little lady. Some days the things you do and say take my breath away. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so much. You have a lot of sass in your little body, my dear. But one thing is abundantly clear, you are not a baby anymore, not at all.

This year has been a very big one for you. You got not one, but two little brothers, you went from daycare to a nanny, and you got a big girl bed. Those are just the major life change highlights. There was much, much more involved in this wonderful year of your life. Let's try to recap in order, then we will talk about you and your overflowing personality.

We had a big year right from the start, Christmas in New York followed fairly quickly by the arrival of your brothers. With your brothers came grandma, and then grandpa. They came and stayed with us for a month, this may well have been the highlight of the year for everyone in this house. You loved having them here and so did we. Quite honestly, I am not sure how your dad and I would have managed the first month of your brothers life without Babas. It certainly would have been harder to get you the attention you needed. The one thing we were able to keep consistent for you was bedtime stories. Since your brothers were born neither mom or dad has missed reading you your stories if we are home. I think it a favorite time of day for all of us.

Enough about your brothers, right? You did so much this year that didn't involve them. You went to the dentist for the first time, you went to the Atlantic Ocean for the second time, you went to Wisconsin and Minnesota, we went to the museum and zoo, you got a sand box, you got a bike, you went on lots of hikes, walks, and stroller rides, you kept working hard at swimming lessons, you stopped wearing diapers, you started choosing your own clothes and brushing your teeth, in short you got big.

You are so big baby girl. Filled with sass and silly. You love to dance. You love construction vehicles of all types. You love to help your brothers when they are sad. You try music first, followed by hugs, kisses, loveys, and nuks. You love to play tag in the basement and hide and seek everywhere. You are presently obsessed with Octonauts, but last month is was Paw Patrol, and earlier this year it was Doc McStuffins. Elmo remains a favorite through thick and thin. You love books, Curious George, Clifford, Little Critter, Bernstein Bears, and the Magic School Bus are some favorites. You recently have discovered the joy of the Wii and love your leap pad. You increasingly love hugs and cuddles (thank you, thank you, thank you) and to be picked up. You are always fixing people and giving check ups and your pretend play has flown off the charts. You even do different voices for your different Octonauts.

You my sweet girl are amazing. You are, however, three. Which means there are a few less than desirable tendencies. You have started shouting "No. Stop talking to me." when you don't want to engage, not so polite, friend. You also are ridiculous about what and when you will eat. I have given up, I assume you won't starve yourself. There are meltdowns, but really you are pretty easy going for a three year old. I can't complain much. We are working on your sass and manners. They will come with time I hope.

Your daddy and I love you to the moon sweet baby girl. Don't ever lose your adventurous spirit, silly disposition, or sweet giggle. Or maybe just stop growing up, that might be OK too.