Three

I can't seem to wrap my mind around the fact that Addie turns three today. Being an aunt has brought a love into my life that I didn't actually know was missing. She keeps us all on our toes, and laughing (oh my god, laughing) all of the time.

Addie helps me on my quest to be more present and to live in the moment. There is something about holding a new baby or dancing to Yo Gabba Gabba around the family room with a two-year-old, that makes it difficult to focus on anything but now.

In honor of three years of all-things-Addie, I would like to share my top three favorite Addie related memories:

3.) When Addie was born, I was at the end of my final semester of college in Chicago. I had made it to North Carolina twice in April to see her, but was having a difficult time being away. I was looking forward to graduating and moving home to Charlotte.

My parents planned a visit to Chicago for my graduation. They called to let Jake and I know that they had arrived at their hotel, and that they had an extra room if we wanted to spend the night with them. Once we settled in, there was a knock at the door. It was my sister, Brittany, Brother-in-law, Michael, and a four-week-old Addie. They had driven thirteen hours to be there.  Needless to say I was rendered into a puddle on the floor after that surprise.

2.) When Jake and I moved into our house, Addie had just started pulling herself up and trying to walk. Britt and Mike (Addie's parents) said that they had seen her take a few steps, but I was dying to see for myself. Jake and I sat on the floor of our bedroom, with our legs opened towards each other. I held Addie in the middle and gave her a little nudge towards Jake. She surprised us, because she just kept on walking! I think our cheering startled her because she eventually plopped down. It shocked me to feel so proud over something that a year or so before would have barely gotten a rise out of me.

1.) My all time favorite Addie memory happened the summer after she turned one. Jake and I were busy trying to make our house feel more like a home. My mom came over to help me make curtain panels. She was watching Addie that day and brought her along. Addie was a walking machine at this point, so I did my best to baby proof. While changing her I decided that she was so cute naked that I would let her run around and be "free" for a little while. Before I could catch her, she squatted down (not unlike Penelope) and number-two'ed on my kitchen floor. I swear, my mom and I must have laughed for an hour.

This sweet baby has grown up into quite the wild, creative, hilariously funny and thoughtful beyond her years - little girl.

Today our family celebrates you, Miss Addie, happy third birthday!