My first 3-year-old

Dear Tyler,

I can’t believe it, but you’re already three years old. Having your little brother, Mason, has made me realize how much you have truly grown, because I can still clearly remember what you were like as a baby. Seeing you now, with all your strength and independence, makes me so proud to be your Mommy, because I helped to get you to this point.

You are 38 inches tall and weigh 34 lbs. You have size 9.5/10 feet and wear (mostly) size 3T clothes.

You are such an active kid. And now I can actually call you a kid, because you’re no longer toddling around, unsure of your feet. You love jumping on your bed, you love jumping off of furniture, and from our couch to our chair, then back again. You just love jumping. Often, you land with a loud “thud” on the floor, sometimes you yell “Geronimo!” as you jump, but I think it sounds more like “Germino!” I can’t wait until we’re able to get a swing and some climbing playground equipment for you, because you love to play at playgrounds and parks.

You are also very talkative and so smart! I have gotten so many compliments from your current and past teachers and babysitters about how well you pronounce words or how they can count on you for the right answers. Of course, you were able to recognize all the letters of the alphabet, numbers 1 – 10, and many different colors before you were even 2 years old. Now, you can recognize your friends’ names when they’re written down and you can tell us what letters are at the beginning of any word we ask you. You are so curious about words, and you can pick up the correct pronunciation and use of many words and phrases very quickly. Many times, I’ll overhear you playing with your trains and you’ll talk about how an engine is “steaming along” or how another engine is “coupled up” to a freight car, because you picked up the phrases from the Thomas the Tank Engine TV show! One time, as you were playing with your trains again, I overheard you singing to yourself, “Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap…” I guess you DO listen to me, after all :)
You love to negotiate with Mommy & Daddy, also. We often try to give you a head’s up a few minutes before you need to take a bath or eat a meal, we’ll usually tell you, “Tyler, in 5 minutes we’re going to have dinner,” so that you know to stop playing. Well, you have begun to negotiate those times with us! “How about 10 minutes, Mommy?” Sometimes you even ask for ridiculous amounts of time: “Daddy, I’ll play for 40 minutes, then take a bath.” Nice try, buddy.

I am still amazed each time you talk to us and speak so clearly. I find myself talking to you as though you’re much older because you seem to understand abstract concepts so well. This morning, you asked me:
Are you done playing volleyball, Mommy? (I had 2 volleyball games last night and left while Daddy was putting you to bed).
ME: Yes, I’m done.
TYLER: Did you fall down?
ME: No, I didn’t.
TYLER: Good job, Mommy! Good job!

You can also follow directions easily. I can ask you to do several things in succession, and you remember and do them (for instance, you can put your toys away, wash your hands, and come to the dinner table, etc.). I even talked you through building a small LEGO boat as you read through the instructions. I only helped you follow the pictures on the instruction sheet, but you built the boat all on your own! I’m talking real LEGO pieces, not the Duplo or Megablocks stuff!

Tyler, your memory is remarkable. Often, I’m surprised at what you remember and how detailed your memory is. You know the names of all your Cars cars and all of the Thomas the Tank Engine trains that you own (which are dozens).

You love your little brother and, though he can’t quite interact with you yet, you still want to read books with him, show him toys, and take baths with him. You are very sweet and gentle with him. He lights up when he hears your voice and pays strict attention to you when you sing to him. I can’t wait until he can more visibly react to the things you do, and you’ll be able to interact with him!

We are in the throes of potty-training, something you took to very well and very easily. We went “cold turkey” on diapers 1 week before your 3rd birthday. You had a few accidents the first day, but have been pretty much accident-free at school, and have already learned to tell us when you need to use the bathroom (though you often whine and drag your feet when we ask you to use the potty).

You are a sweet and wonderful boy, and I’m so proud that you’re mine. I love hugging and smooching you. You give great hugs! During quiet times, usually before bed, you might tell me that you’ll miss me when you go to school the next day. I tell you that I’ll miss you too, but that I always look forward to seeing you at the end of the day when I pick you up and to any time that I get to spend with you.

I love you so much, and am looking forward to seeing how much more you grow this year!

Love and hugs and kisses,

Mommy