Happy Third Birthday, Harper Reese!

Harper Reese,

You’re THREE today! How in the world did you grow up so fast? I am so proud of the little girl you’ve become. Every day, I’m in awe of how smart and funny you are. Your little mind is so amazing— you constantly surprise us with your silly expressions, your ability to tell stories and your beautiful heart. This year, you became a big sister and I was so worried how all of that change would affect you. We moved into our new home, had your baby brother and you got rid of your paci and started sleeping in your big girl bed all in the matter of a few months. That was a lot of change and yet you got through it all without a blip, just like you always do.

Every morning, I bring your baby brother downstairs and see you eating breakfast in your highchair. As soon as you see us you say “hi sweet boy!” and your brother flashes you the biggest, happiest smile. He loves you so much and you make him laugh more than anyone else.
You’re potty trained now! You have always been the type to decide on your own when you’re ready for something and this was no exception. We always let you guide the way because we know that’s when you’ll be the most successful. We are so proud of you for wearing your “big girl undies” and using the big girl potty at home, school and when we’re out and about. I know you hate how loud the flush is when we use the bathroom at the store, but you always tell me when you have to go anyway.

You’re so brave- you started swimming lessons a couple of months ago and now you walk over to your swim lane all by yourself and high-five your instructor. You wave to us from the pool and yell “hi mom!!!” as we watch you through the glass. You aren’t afraid to get dunked under water and you laugh with delight when your teacher splashes you. It’s such a pleasure to watch you learn and develop all of your skills.
You’re firey and bold. When you don’t like something, you say it. When you’re upset, we know it. You’ve been known to be very dramatic when something doesn’t go your way, but you’re also getting better at apologizing when you are “not acting nice.”

Our weekend “mommy Harper days” as you so affectionately call them are what I look forward to each week. And my heart pretty much bursts with joy when one of your teachers tells me how you report back to them on Monday about what we did for “mommy Harper day” that weekend. Know that I treasure that individual time spent with you so so much. And I will never stop laughing when you ask if we can “go to the baby store” (American Girl Doll). I love watching your eyes explode with wonder when we watch elephants get baths at the zoo and the biggest smile ever when we ride the carousel.Your teachers tell me all the time how incredible you are. How you’re kind, funny, and loved by all of your friends. It brings me so much happiness to know that even when your daddy and I aren’t there, you’re happy being around your teachers and friends and that you continue to be the kind and funny girl we know.

Do you know that when I pick you up from daycare, I always try to make sure you don’t see me when I come outside to the park area? I always try to watch you for a few minutes until you notice me. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day. I love watching you play, laugh and interact with your friends. I learn something new about you almost every time I watch you. I see you being kind, silly, a leader, a friend. I will never get tired of watching you chase your friends, push your friend on a bike or swing from the monkey bar.

Bath time is also such a fun time in our house. You take baths with your brother now and when you’re not busy trying to make him smile, you’re doing “experiments.” One day, it’s a “flower experiment,” the next it’s something else. You fill up all of your bath toy cups and set them on the ledge of the tub and conduct your “experiments” which always end in lots of laughs.

You’ve been so patient as you wait for some time with me after I feed your brother and rock him to sleep. You read books with daddy and snuggle with him every night at bed time. Sometimes it makes me sad that I can’t be in both rooms at once, because your night time commentary and antics are among my most favorite moments ever. I love it when you ask me to “tell you a story” and then I start to say “once upon a time” and you will correct me if you want me to tell a story about a “different princess.” I love it when we play “flashlight” using the flash light on my iPhone and create shadows on the walls with our hands and feet. We make birds and all kinds of other animals. We also pretend to touch your chandelier with our shadow hands and it makes us both laugh.
When you were first starting to talk, I used to keep a list in my iPhone notes of every new word and sentence. You talk so much now that there isn’t enough time in the day to document your sweet and witty remarks.  You are so smart and your memory is a thousand times better than my own. You know your letters, numbers and so many songs we can’t keep count. Listening to your performances of “Part of Your World” and “Tale as Old as Time” will forever be etched in my memory.


Right now you’re obsessed with Cinderella and you have a stage five meltdown if we don’t dance at the end of the movie as the credits roll during the songs. We learned pretty quickly that the way to your heart is a dance session at the end of a movie. You and daddy always slow dance to the slow songs and jump around and spin to the fast ones. I’ll never get tired of watching the two of you.

Watching you grow from two to three has been unbelievable. Your personality unfolds daily and though we’re seeing a little bit of a “threenager” pop around sometimes, you’re usually a great listener and so sweet. You’re never afraid to say what you think or feel and you always show your emotions on your face.

When I think about your future I get so happy and excited because just from knowing you for these past few years, I can tell you are destined for great things. I can’t wait to watch you continue to achieve your goals and be the amazing, sweet and funny little girl you are.

It’s a total cliché, but I don’t remember my life much without you in it. You are my joy and I constantly wonder what I did to deserve you. Thank you for being the most incredible daughter and for blessing me with the privilege of being your mama.

Happy birthday my sweet girl.