Three

Happy Birthday to my No No.  I never want to forget what Noel is like at this age.  In my selfish motherhood, I truly do not want my girl to grow any more.  I love this age, I love that Noel bounces wherever she goes and sings freely.  I love how she says Pony, band aid, and Prestyn, and when she makes a suggestion she says “how bout”.  I love that her favorite book is Pinkalicious and that she only wants me to read the last page and that nothing makes her more angry than when her brothers spoils it. 

I have never worried about Noel.  From the minute she was born she was very clear about what she wanted.  Noel is determined and resourceful; she has a way of seamlessly getting what she wants.  Her tactic is to wear you down and she does it so well.  Tonight I put her to bed 20 times.  After she ruined my bath, woke her baby sister and mooched off my snack, I gave in.  “Fine, you can watch a show with me, but you have to sit still and be quiet” She agreed, but thought we should watch “Bo on the Go” while I tickled her arm.  As I sat there watching her show and tickling her arm, I thought “How did this happen?”  I wasn’t even mad, I was past that point.  When I finally put her to bed she said “Mommy, you’re the best girl” and that was it, I was glad I let her stay up with me because I know it was not lost on her. 

The reason I want to get this all down is because there may be a day that Noel will not grab her coat and sprint for the door when she hears someone leaving.  Someday she may not sob at the door when she can’t go with me.  She might even grow up to be uninterested in purses, necklaces and painted nails, but for now these things are treasures to her.  Corbet and I have an understanding that if we can take her whenever we go out, we do and if we can’t, we have a sneak out plan that involves the other parent luring her away with candy.  When she does get to go for a car ride she often brings her Hello Kitty purse with her Minnie Mouse stuffed inside. 

I almost always put her hair in pig tails just so I can see them bounce as she goes about her day. I know there will be a day when she doesn’t want pig tails or for me to lay with her while she falls asleep.  She won’t need me to read to her forever and she will eventually grow tired of singing to me. 

I know my No No has to grow up, but I want her to know that there are things she does not have to grow out of. Noel has a natural confidence and happiness that I pray she holds on to.  At three she already has a strength that has taken me a life time to build.  I watch her in wonder and know that she came to our family already made; who she is was decided before I even held her.  She is growing up and though I hate to see it happen, I love watching who she is becoming and I know it will be a beautiful journey. 

Happy Birthday my girl, oh how we love our No No.