3

To Libby, on your third birthday,

Today, I told you the story of your birth - I talked about how my water broke in the middle of the night, and in the morning I woke Daddy up and we went for a walk. Then I took a shower, tried to watch TV, then took another shower. I told you that we went to the hospital and I took a really long bath and then I got on the bed and pushed really hard and a tiny little baby came out and we named her Libby Claire.

You have no idea how happy it made me to hear you repeat this story back to me: "I'm going to tell a story. Once upon a time, I was a wittle tiny baby. And we went to the ho-pital and I took a shower and a bath with you. And I was inside your tummy. (And then you popped out of my tummy.) And then you popped out of my tummy!"

Now I have a few more things I'd like to tell you about the person you are today, 3 years later.

You are capable and independent. You can take your clothes off by yourself and can sometimes put them on, too if there aren't any buttons. You love to butter your own toast, which you eat nearly every morning for breakfast.

You're a great helper. You love to help cook and you even know how to measure flour properly. You have surprised me by picking up clothes and toys without being asked and then declaring "we have a nice, clean house."

At home, you are almost constantly asking to read books. You love the Berenstain Bears fiercely. You've started picking out your own books at the library. You take at least 1, but usually more like 3-4 books to bed with you every night and every naptime. In the morning, we often quietly open your door to see if you're awake yet and find you happily reading to yourself.

Outside, you love to swing in our backyard swing, look for cicadas, ride your bike, and go for walks.

You love to sing and be sung to. Your favorite songs right now are: ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, I Love to See the Temple (you call it "the temple song"), Families Can Be Together Forever (you call it "I have a family"), Princess Pat, Weenie Man, and Follow the Prophet (Daniel is your favorite verse). You like to flip through the Children's Songbook and choose songs for me to sing, saying "oh, this looks like a great one."

While you're quiet around new people, you also have a great desire to befriend others. You wave at people we pass on our walks and you love to play with other kids at the sandbox. You refer to any and all children as "my friend."

You are a loving big sister and have great concern for Piper. If you see her heading toward the stairs, you block her way and shout "no Piper! Don't fall down the stairs!"

You are a priceless addition to our family. Every day, you ask me "do you know we can be together forever?" When I respond yes, you say "does that make you so happy?" Yes, it does Libby. So happy.

Love,
Mom