familySmilestones: Where's my baby?

Has it really been 3 years since we brought our little Pinky Pie home from the hospital? It doesn't seem possible. Although today was just as wintry and cold as that day 3 years ago . . . it's hard to imagine how life has changed since. What did we do before we brought our bright eyed bundle of energy home????

We've been busy celebrating the big birthday this week. Thursday morning we got up early to stop at one of our favorite bakeries to pick up the special donuts we ordered: 2 dozen frosted donuts with sprinkles! Plenty for her class and to share with her friends at church. After work/school, we opened a few gifts and then met some friends for dinner. We decided to skip McD's this year, and chose Mexican instead. Chips, salsa, a cheese quesadilla and a kiwi slushy - what else could a birthday girl ask for?

Tonite we celebrated with friends and family at our house. Fortunately, the predicted winter storm missed us, and most of our guests were able to join us for a warm winter meal of chili and baked potatoes (the bday girl loves "potato pockets"!). Pickles, chocolate milk, and lots of cheese. All of her favorites. We topped it off with a homemade ice cream cake. (2 bags of oreos, 3 bags of chocolate chips, and 2 cartons of ice cream - thank you pinterest!)

Once again, we were overwhelmed by the generosity of our family and friends who shower our girl with gifts and love. It's amazing how one little girl can be so loved, not just on her birthday, but all year through.

So, what is our 3 year old into these days?
    Dress up clothes
    Dressing her babies and her bears
    Blocks
    TV: Mickey Mouse, Clifford, and Doc McStuffins
    Stickers
    Games: Hide n Seek, Memory, and Cootie (with modified rules of course!)
    Dancing, twirling, and singing
    Hugs (but you can keep the kisses, she wipes them off these days!)
    Snacks: fruit snacks, string cheese, chex mix, chocolate (loclate)
    Cracking us up with her smarts and clever use of vocabulary. Some of her favorite new words
    include:
        Actually: Example - Actually mom, I want to wear sweat pants.
       Recognize: Example - Is this mine? I didn't even recognize it?
       Certainly: Example - It certainly does taste good. (referring to an old cracker found in her
                           car seat!)
       Seriously: Example - Seriously Dad, you need to learn to listen.