Conversations with our 3 year old

May 5, 2017- We were talking about Enna and you kept saying, "Enna is my Grandmother!" Hahahaha! I kept remind you that Enna is your Godmother, but you haven't seemed to understand the difference yet. So cute. ❤️

May 7, 2017- "Daddy I want a chocolate brossant from the coffee shop." Chocolate croissants from the coffee shop with daddy have become a favorite treat. ❤️

May 19, 2017- You keep adding "at all" to the end of your statements. For example: "I am not hungry, at all." "I am not sleepy, at all." "I don't want to, at all." It is pretty cute.

May 19, 2017- Daddy pointed out the water tower and you told daddy that you had a "super duper big idea" (like from Sid the Science Kid) and said we should build a super tall slide and, "go swimming! And Henley can slide down on the other side with you." I love how smart you see babe. 😍

May 23, 2017- We were singing "Wheel on the Bus" and at the end you added a line saying, "Halen on the bus says I like hugs, I like hugs, I like hugs. Halen on the bus says I like hugs, all through the town." It was so cute.

May 23, 2017- You told daddy, "Daddy did you know giraffes don't have a tuni or a butt?" And then you grabbed a stuffed animal and said, "See, they just have a tag." Lol so funny!

May 24, 2017: Daddy told you to pull his finger, you did and he tooted. You immediately told daddy, "Pull my finger," and YOU tooted! It was so funny.

June 8, 2017: I was explaining what grace was to you and how we need to give people grace. YaYa got frustrated and you said, "We need to give YaYa grace mom." It was hilarious and very true. We all laughed.

June 15, 2017: "Mama you feel better today?" Every morning you ask me if I feel better, from my cancer, which we share bits and pieces with you. You're so sweet my Halen.

June 20, 2017: "I'm right here mama, I'm right here for you." You've been saying that as you cuddle next to me on the couch when I don't feel well. I love you so much my Halen, my little angel on earth to help me get through this tough chapter.

July 1, 2017: We were at P. Terry's for breakfast and wanted you to eat your breakfast sandwich, but you wanted the potatoes. The potatoes were hot and we warned you to wait so you didn't burn your mouth, but you wanted to learn your own way and took a bite. It was very hot and you spit
out the potato. We said, "Halen you always have to learn the hard way don't you?" And you responded, "No daddy I learn the soft way." 😂 So funny little girl.

July 6, 2017: Mommy's hair fell out and I was nervous to show you. When I first cut my hair, you were not happy as you think we should all have long hair like Rapunzel. Then when I shaved my head, you seemed really concerned and sad. But we talked about it and then you were okay. This time I prepped you by saying at the doctor I got another hair cut, I took off my hat and your response was, "Oh mommy you're so pretty!" I was stunned and so joyful with how precious your reaction was. Then you hugged me tight. I love you Halen.

July 10, 2017: Mommy had a rough day and you said, "Mommy, I got you." And you pulled me in for a hug. It made mommy feel so much better.

July 13, 2017: You poured some water into a cup and said, "Here mom have some lemondade." So

cute.

July 28, 2017: "Mommy I have to drop a deuce." Halen, where did you hear that? "Daddy. He drops a deuce." 🤣







August 26, 2017: Daddy prut you down for nap, a few minutes later you came out and said, "Dadd
y



! I
have to poopoo butts on the potty." (You say the funniest things these days.)

September 3, 2017: "Mommy, I want to stay three." (You were not happy about turning four one day. Luckily we have some time. I don't think you like change.)

October 31, 2017: "Trick or treat!" "I love my Henley and Crash!" "Can I smell and count my candy?"

November 15, 2017: After having a discussion about mommy's surgery you said, "Daddy did you know that mommy is going to lose a boo boo tomorrow? But she'll be okay."

December 1, 2017: As we were putting up our Christmas tree, you said, “It’s super beautiful. I like it.” And you helped us decorate the tree!

December 5, 2017: You were up very early and you were cuddling in mommy and daddy’s bed, you said, “I’m really hungry guys.” You’re funny and an energizer bunny.

December 7, 2017- You love the nativity scene and you love setting it up. You say, “Mary, baby Jesus and Jophes.” It’s super cute. Then we walked outside with our neighbors and it was snowing!!!! You and Brooklyn were trying to catch snowflakes on your tongues, you said, “I can’t catch the snow on my tongue Mommy!” We danced around in the snow, it was quite magical. ❄️

December 9, 2017: You were writing a letter to kids who need more than we do and said, “Jesus loves you.” Then you started their letters saying, “Baby Parks, I am giving you my pink num num (you have gone one week without it! Huge for you sweet pea.)” Then you said, “Daddy loves his wife.” You’re so precious Halen.

December 14, 2017: Daddy and I took you to see the Nutcracker and within minutes of it starting you  said (very loud), “Mommy she twirled” and you kept wanting to look at your scrapbook (the program). I loved watching how excited you got. You thought each ballerina was a princess, “there’s Ariel, there’s Cinderella!” “This is amazing!” We had so much fun with you.

January 5, 2018: As you were watching your baby sister eat dinner you said, “babies are messy.” It was pretty funny.

February 3, 2018: We went to Torchy’s Tacos for breakfast and a group of Indian men walked into the restaurant and you said, “There are a bunch of Pranav’s!” You were referring to an Indian boy in your class named Pranav.

February 3, 2018: We went to Trader Joe’s and you got a little cart and said, “I will go slow and watch out for old people.” Hilarious.

February 10, 2018: "Daddy, you'll blow away when I clean my room." 😂

February 15th: We’re on our way to small group and you sang in the backseat,” I love my parents, I love Grandma Carol, I love the trees, I love the leafess and the bugs, I love pretending, I love papa and Gigi, I love everyone and the flowers.”

February 23, 2018: At dinner we were talking and you said, “How about I buy a house right next to you? I can come over and it will be great.” We pinky promised that you would really do this. Daddy offered to buy your house, mow your lawn, and I said I would play with your babies. 😍

March 15, 2018: We are on our spring break trip in La Veta, CO and you said, “I liked today. Today was a good day. I liked the snow and our nature walk. Me and daddy a little date.”

March 22: “Mommy I have swallow up.” (After you had the tummy bug and threw up all day 🙁)

March 26: “Mommy, I have bacteria.” After you had diarrhea from your tummy bug. Poor lovey.

March 28: “Mommy, my tummy is playing jokes.” (As to why you still have some diarrhea, sweet girl.)

March 28: “Mommy Enna is my GODmother! I didn’t know that, but I love it.” (So sweet! Enna asked you to be her flower girl for her wedding next April, we are so excited!)


April 5th- “Daddy you’re my bestest friend ever.” 

April 12th- You came downstairs after already being tucked in, climbed in bed to cuddle with daddy and said, “Daddy I just don’t think I have any tireds.” Then you yawned and said, “well maybe I do.” Then you fell asleep in daddy’s arms. 

Life is too short to not be authentic & for crappy friends.

One day in the all to near future I want to read this article to you. Maybe when you're 13 or 17... Or maybe we need to read it every year you're a teenager as a reminder.

I am sure I will share my teenage years with you, but one of the resounding lessons I learned was it is not worth it to be anything but yourself and to be "friends" with anyone who isn't true. It's not worth the short "high" to then fall to a devastating low.

So let's read this together and always know you are a daughter of God. He created you with purpose and in His image. So no one can make you feel less than, do not let them.

I love you more than you'll ever know. More than every star in the Rocky Mountain sky and more than every grain of sand on the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Love,

Mommy

https://www.babble.com/parenting/dear-girls-life-is-too-short-for-crappy-friends/

"I don't want to be a big girl mommy."

These words were said the other day and they melted my heart. You are weeks away from turning 3 and there are a lot of big steps we are working on. The first is giving up your beloved num num. you've loved this gem since you were tiny. It has been the one item you attached to and became your lovie. So to give this up is a huge deal for you.

Life is full of growing moments and you are in a big one. The steps between babyhood and beig a big girl is hard. Hard for daddy and I as we watch our baby girl bloom into such a sharp, nurturing, athletic girl. You make us so proud. I know theses moments are tough, but God is shaping you into such a blessing for this world. He knows you will share the love of Jesus and shine wherever you go.

We are also working on potty training and eventually giving up your bottle. You have been doing an amazing job at potty training. It hasn't been easy, but you're making some huge strides into stepping away from diapers.

We love you so much darling. Daddy and I are here every step of the way.

Love,

Mama

The Perfect Day

On Wednesday, March 15th we were given a perfect family day. The day before you had a random fever and slept on the couch all day long...worried that you were coming down with something I took the next day off of work. But when you woke up you were fever free! So we decided to take advantage of the day. We loaded up the car and headed downtown, it was a beautiful day. Our first stop was coffee and tacos from el Chilito. Then daddy surprised us by taking us to some local farms. First on the list was Boggy Creek Farm, we walked all around looking at all the veggies and flowers. We saw chickens and ducks, you loved it! We asked you what you wanted to buy and you said eggs, so we had you pick out six special dark fresh eggs. You picked green ones, red ones avid white ones. Second farm was SpringDale farm, we saw a lot of ducks here! And they had a teepee, we loved walking all around together. The weather was perfect. They even had a scarecrow your size! The third farm was HausBrau Farm and you saw a donkey!!

Then we went to lunch at Gourmands, we all are yummy food & daddy and got some beers. Music played and you danced and played with big blocks. Next we went to Whole Foods, where you and Henley fell asleep so daddy parked in the shade and we waited til you girlies woke up. Daddy went and got him and I kombucha and our favorite desserts: daddy- pecan pie, mommy- chocolate mousse. Then when you woke up we went to take pictures by Uncle Chase's ATX sign. It was so cool! You loved climbing all around. Then we decided to head north and go to Hat Creek Burger for burgers, a beer, milkshakes and you could play. DiDi & T met us there for a little while.

It was a simple day, but so wonderful. To get out and just be together. I love you and our family so much. Your smile brings such joy to my heart. Your voice is like a song for my soul.

It was a perfect day.

You started Pre-School!

Halen you started pre-school this year and it has been an absolute joy watching you learn. You are in the Monkey class at Bethany Methodist with Ms. Laura & Ms. Shannon. You go every Monday and Friday and you have Sheridan, Owen, Camryn and Reese in your class. You have learned so much! You learned all your colors by October and have developed some great social skills too. You love to play on the playground and to do the Movement part of class. For Halloween, you dressed up like a strawberry and had a little party that mommy came to. You painted your pumpkin and won, "Most Religious" which made mommy and daddy so proud.

Favorite Things

Halen you are growing up so much lately. From the way you speak, to how you carry yourself, to what you know. It's incredible. Sometimes daddy and I just look at each other in awe that our baby is able to be so grown up already.

Lately you love pre-school, you've learned so much...all your colors, counting, most ABCs, you can spell your name and write an H on your paper.

I have loved staying home with you and your sister this year. I love our little conversations and cuddles. I love watching your relationship with your sister grow. You are definitely a big love kinda gal, your sweet sister gets mauled by you on the daily. But I keep thinking she's going to lovingly make that up to you one day. You are quite smitten with daddy these days, he can hardly go potty by himself without you tagging a long. Considering you were attached to my hip for two years and now want to be all daddy, it's sweet to see.

I occasionally get sad when I see how much you've grown up from that tiny little human that I used to be inseparable from. Your imagination is starting to emerge and it's really fun to witness. You love being outside and running around. You are not a big fan of shoes. I have started doing some really fun hair dos with your awesome hair. Potty training is not your jam right now, so we decided to put a hold on that and let you decide when you're ready.

Valentines Day was super special, daddy brought you, your sister and mommy each a beautiful bouquet of flowers. You also got a Minnie Mouse pillow, gummy bears and a sweet homemade card from mommy and daddy.

I love you Halen Rae Carol, with every breath in my body. I am sad to see you grow, but I am proud and happy to see you bloom. I hope we are always very close.

Love,

Mama

"Mama you cuddle with me?"

These are the words you said to me tonight. 😍 Halen Rae Carol...you're growing up so fast and yet you're still so little. These darling questions remind me to cherish your littleness and to soak up all the moments you yearn to share with me. Sometimes it's easy for me to be on auto pilot and my day blurs by. And then at the end of the day when I'm exhausted and ready to sit by myself and read my book, you ask me this. And my heart melts and I immediately say yes. There's nothing I would rather do than cuddle you sweetheart. I will feel this way when you're two, four, 10, 17, 32 and 50. I will always want to cuddle you my darling girl. I am sorry if you've felt that I haven't been as attentive. With Henley's birth, our lives sure did change. But as Henley grows I will get to spend more time with you. You'll always be the baby girl who made me a mommy, and for that I will always thank you. I will never be able to express to you how much I love you, but I'll always try.

I can't wait to wake up and spend another day with you tootie toot.

Love you more than every star in the Rocky Mountain sky and more than every grain of sand on the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Love,
Mama