A Letter to My Daughter on Her Third Birthday

Time passes the same – seconds turning into minutes and minutes into hours and hours into days, months and years…but this past year is hitting me differently. Maybe because this is my last time experiencing a child of mine turning 3 years old. I think we can all lift a coffee mug and agree that motherhood is bittersweet. Nonetheless – I have a three-rex, I mean – a three year old. And without further delay here’s my letter to my daughter Teigan on her third birthday.

Dear Teigan

Today I bought you 3 star balloons to celebrate your third birthday and love for balloons that fly. I wish we could celebrate with family and friends but this pandemic is going through another peak and I just don’t want to take a chance. I hear this variant is like a severe cold for a vaccinated adult and I can’t imagine what its like for an unvaccinated toddler (because they can’t, at least not yet). Maybe next year we’ll bust out of this popsicle stand and go down south and celebrate where it’s warm and has a pool to swim…even if it is just us!

If You’re a Dinosaur I’m a Dinosaur!

This past year we spent many of our days pretending we were Mommy and Peppa Pig along with dinosaurs walking across floors of lava. I love the way you see the world and and always make us characters in it. You’re pretty cool that way. I love being a doctor, Mommy Pig and sometimes even a roaring dinosaur or lion – Oh My! But the role I love the best is being your mom. I hope I’ll always have a role in your world. I promise to always strive to be your best supporting character through the highs and lows, ups and downs and all the in between of life.

Balloons of Affirmations: You, You When God Made You

When God Made You is one of your favorite books. I hope you always remember it because it is a pretty good book. It has a positive message and the girl reminds me a lot of you. You’re a bit of a firecracker. You are sweet, vibrant and funny but you have a stubborn streak too. You know exactly what you want and how you want it. It’ll come in handy some day so I choose my battles wisely.

You love wearing your pink unicorn snow boots even when there isn’t much snow on the ground. In your mind snow is snow no matter how small and always requires boots. You prefer sweat pants over denim and staying in pajamas until after getting dropped off at the sitter. When it comes to milk you only like it hot. You also prefer to eat from your red plate or your Bentgo kids lunch box. Sometimes these preferences led to mild tantrums because I didn’t fully understand what you wanted or how you wanted it. Since I want you to develop your own personality I let most these battles go. You my sweet girl are not afraid to speak your mind or fight for what you want. You are becoming your own person and it is beautiful to watch. Teigan, you are so much sugar with a little extra spice and all things nice.

1-2-3 Candles: My Baby Girl is Growing Up

Funny how you don’t realize how big your child is getting until you see them standing next to an actual baby. When I saw you next to your cousin Eli I realized just how much you’ve grown. You aren’t a baby anymore! This past year I have watched you become less and less of a toddler and move closer to becoming a big girl.

You now climb out your crib and walk right to my room and into my bed on your own. It’s time we get you a big girl bed. Just wishing it could be in a home of our own with your very own room. I hope someday you realize that I really would give you the world if I could. But enough about that – your imagination makes the world feel new. You love dolls, cars, dinosaurs, Power Rangers, playing in your kitchen, tea parties and Peppa Pig. Hide and seek is still your favorite game to play. Bugs don’t scare you and each day there’s always a new adventure. You insist on buckling your doll in her seat before hoping in your carseat and say, “we have to be safe”. What I love most about you is your ability to remind me to stop and taste the snowflakes or swing in the park.

Things You Taught Me

I probably don’t need to tell you this but if you ever think you are too small to make a difference try sleeping in a room with one mosquito. I can tell you first hand one little mosquito can wreak havoc. You are petite but never underestimate your ability to make a difference in someone’s life. You sure made a difference in mine and also taught me some great lessons all before your third birthday here’s seven:

Don’t be afraid to express yourself

Live in the now

Don’t just look up but also take time to look down

Dance like nobody is watching

Big hugs make almost anything better

Forgive quickly

Be curious

Happy Birthday Wishes: Here’s to the Next Chapter

Last year you showed me once again that you were the missing piece we never knew was missing. You experienced many first and tested the waters. We butted heads when your stubborness wasn’t in your best interest but we always ended the day with bedtime prayers, hugs and kisses.

I hope you always know without a question or doubt that I love you with all my heart. Even when we butt heads or you make a mistake – I still love you.

I also hope that you know that I am and will always be the person you can run to and not away from when you are in need of help. My arms will always be ready to welcome you and never push you away.

Most importantly, I hope you know that you just the way you are – you are enough! You were born enough and you are worthy. Those two things don’t dissipate with a mistake or go up with a good deed. They are fixed attributes that the world cannot take away from you.

Here’s to another chapter of your life. 365 pages for you to fill with awesomeness, adventures and many new firsts. Happy third birthday – love you to the moon and back!

~With love from Mommy

Happy Birthday Letters

I started this years ago after being misdiagnosed with a life debilitating disease. I wanted my oldest daughter to know I loved her long after I was gone. After finding out it was a misdiagnosis I continued the habit of writing letters to all my kids on their birthdays.

I’m assumming that you are here because you are thinking about writing a Happy Birthday Letter of your own and are looking for inspiration. I hope that this letter inspired you because they really are worth doing, giving and receiving. If you liked this letter but still looking for inspiration to write your own letter check out other letters I’ve written to my kids: