Letters to Maddy

My sweet Maddy...you are currently sound asleep as you should be. It is 12:36 a.m. Mommy should have been in bed 30 min. to an hour ago, but I wanted to work out for a little bit. One day you will look back on this and be embarrassed that I am writing this, but one day you will look back on this and cherish it...I hope :) I want to start writing down cherished memories of you and save them for you. You are currently 3 years old and weigh approximately 31 lbs. Technically you can still wear a 4 diaper, but I moved you up to a size 5.  You wear a size 8.5 shoe, although I am quite certain you are close to a 9. You are in 4T clothing. Your personality comes out more and more each day and I love seeing you turn into you. You have two favorite indoor things you like to play...school and castle. You like to tell me that I am the teacher, but you always tell me what to do with the class lol. My favorite thing to play with you inside is castle. I love hearing your different voices. You still like to dictate what my character does somewhat, but I just love playing with you. You and Manny have really bonded since he's gotten sick. You always ask about him and ask if he's going to be ok. You two are like siblings. He takes your toys and chews on them and you tattle on him for looking at you or not doing what you want him to do. You are very independent and don't like the boundaries mommy has set for you. I think we will struggle with this boundary issue for at least the next 15 years lol. I haven't had to put you in time out a whole lot. You are pretty good to calm down on your own and listen to what I am trying to tell you. It is so very important to me that you know our communication is open. I want you to know you can tell me anything, but respectfully and I will listen. I am working on that now in hopes that as you grow up, you will know you can talk to me. You are melting my heart. When we talk about Jesus you always ask where He is. I always tell you He is in Heaven, but you have a better understanding because you always ask if He's in your heart. I pray He is in your heart and that you will choose to start a personal relationship with Him. Our pastor has challenged the church to pray together as a family in 2013 and that is something I am making sure we do.
You have been getting into mischief at night. I have caught you several nights in a row turning your light back on and just playing in your room. You had been staying up until 11:30 p.m. when you did this. You lost some "computer" (leap pad) time and were very unhappy about that. Speaking of computer, it has started to become a problem. You come home every day and have plans of playing castle with me, but it never fails...you end up on your couch with your computer in hand and play until bed or bath time, then you pitch a fit saying you want to play when I tell you it's night night time. I am going to start putting a time limit on how much you play your computer and make sure you get your energy out before it's bed time.
I love our bedtime routine. We read a book, we pray, and then we rock/talk. When you hop into bed you cling to me and tell me I can sleep in your room. You really enjoy me and Manny camping out in your room. In fact, when you were sick one night we brought in your couch and you chose to give up the comforts of your bed to sleep on the floor with us on your couch. I felt so bad for you because your stomach was hurting you real bad, but I loved spending the night together as a family. Since that night you always ask me and Manny to sleep with you. Part of me wants to give in and move you to my bed, but I know if I do you will want to do that all the time.
You are such a caring person and if I look upset you will tell me not to be sad, or you will ask me what is wrong. If I cry you tell me it will be ok and even tell me that God said it would be ok. You love to laugh and have such a nurturing spirit about you. When other people hurt, you hurt/worry about them. You like to make people laugh. You don't like going to school. You wrap your hand around one of my legs and refuse to let go. I know you enjoy playing with your friends, but I don't think you like some of the teachers. I also think you have some separation anxiety. You are such a special person and I can't wait to see how your life unfolds. I am so thankful that God allowed me to be your mom...it's been a huge blessing. I love you!

Love,
Mommy <3 p="p">