Happy Birthday June!!

 Ever since you were a baby I have honestly loved each new stage and the fact that you were growing older. But I always said that once you hit age three I would probably freak out. Perhaps it's a self fulfilling prophecy but June bug! It's true and it's happening. I'm freaking out!

I look at you and you tell me a story. You love to "be laxed" and lay on the couch with your pillow and blanket while you drink some milk. You play pretend all day. You have friends and are the most social of all toddlers. You can play independently and need that space sometimes but you also need me. You need me all the time. What's more is that you want me around. If I'm willing to put down the broom and come play "bad guy and princess" with you then your day is made.

So I don't know about you but I'm thinking this is a good place to STOP. Let's just stay here in this time. Every since you came around the "good old days" have been surrounding me. The sweetest of all my days have been with you, the sun drenched memories I'll think back on are happening now. So please June, let's stay here. I don't want to look back, I just want to look around me.

Yet somehow forever starts to make sense to me. There's no end to us and somehow there is no beginning. We have always been made for each other. Somehow I have always been your mother, I have always been living for you. Before I even knew you, you were on my mind.

I've been incredibly reflective this past week. Three years. THREE YEARS. I get scared to think that I haven't been the best mom I could be. Sure I've made you happy but I've also made you sad. I've been mad, I've overreacted. Despite all that I know and believe in, sometimes it's hard for me to forgive myself for my imperfect mom-ness.

Yet out of my imperfection came YOU. And you are perfect. You just are. You are innocent and have a good heart. You are spectacular.

And as much as I want to stop time, it seems as though the universe will not hear my plea and our journey keeps rolling forward at a confusing speed where the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days. I hope as we plow forward and as I continue to fall and trip (because it's going too fast!) that you will continue to forgive me. I hope that you will always need me. Want me.

Because I love you more than I've ever known, so deeply and so painfully beautifully. And I'm sure the future years will bring just as much joy, just in different ways. But these past three years have been the most sacred years of my life. So let's take them now and throw them into the future and catch them as we go. There is wonder and beauty ahead. And I promise to be by you through it all. 

As a Two Year Old June has:

Grown all her baby teeth

Grown to 38 inches and 28 pounds

Added a new state on her travels: California

Ridden a "big horse"

 And one time on bareback

Gone fishing

Gone on big (kid) rides at: Lagoon

And Disneyland

Flew once on an airplane

Became a big sister

Went to the pacific ocean

Was named a lady at a Renaissance fair

Worn french braids in her long, curly hair

Went real Trick or Treating

Made hand dipped candles

and is an official sushi fan

Some of her best qualities:

Cuddly-

 I hit the jack pot with this. She loves it. I love it. It's a win

Gentle-

 I thought toddlers were crazy but June can be such a gentle girl

Sensitive- 

She doesn't hit back, she cries.

Goofy- 

She's a pro at silly voices and scaring anyone

Social- 

She can make friends anywhere

Imaginative- 

Sometimes I forget that you don't need anything but your mind to make a full course mac and cheese dinner

The Best big sister-

She never lashes out on Hazel. She wants to help and hold her and see her the second she wakes up.

June Loves:

Shows- My Little Ponies, Curious George, and Daniel Tiger

All things princess- We didn't make her love this, she just does.

Favorite Princess- Cinderella

Food- Mac and cheese. I know most kids do but gosh, that's all she asks for

Uncommon food- Grapefruit.  Miso soup

Animals- The girl was born to be in 4H

Helping- she cleans and cooks. Even at the stove. ;)

Memorizing- June is a true thespian. She has songs, movies, and books memorized. What's more is how into it she gets and how she acts it out.

And... I don't know why I start these lists because I could go on forever with her good qualities and what she loves and so on and so forth. Just know that she is amazing. Yes she throws tantrums, yes she demands things, yes she's a toddler. But as her parents we are allowed to think that she is also the best, right? 

Happy Birthday Ivory June!

See June grow:

Year ZERO
Year ONE

Year TWO