Charlie Carter is Three! 

Dear Charlie,

I'm not really sure how this can possibly be, but my sweet Charlie Carter, you are THREE! Three incredible years of loving you and it just keeps getting better. You’ve grown so much this year, and so has your hair, it's finally past that awkward mullet stage.

You like to start each and every day full of energy and enthusiasm ready to conquer the world. The world which has returned to a pre covid pandemic state for the most part, thank goodness. If I'm lucky enough to have a day off with you we like to hit up the local library for story time, head to the park with a friend or run wild at the gymnastics center. On other days you spend your time at little stingers daycare where you've become a valuable founding member. You're a really good friend and you adore your little pals so much.

You continue to be chatty and friendly to anyone who gives you the time of day, recently you proudly introduced yourself to a stranger in the grocery store as "CC". You seem to be proud to be this sweet little namesake and talk about your uncle as if you knew him as well as I did. It makes me smile thinking about how much he would love and be so entertained (like we are) of  your hilarious antics.

Most recently you became a big sister. While your title of little sis still remains, this new additional title shifted you into a middle child role. You've adjusted and adapted into this new role with humility and grace and I find my self marveling at the fact that you get to be both a loving big sister (a role I'm familiar with myself) but also an adoring little sister too. Nevertheless sisterhood is something special and I can't wait to see you flourish in these roles.

My girl your light is so bright. You are not only hilarious, but also brave, confident, incredibly determined, thoughtful and at times a bit spicy. You're my little independent, capable three year old who continues to humble me and everything I thought I knew about parenthood. For months I had been encouraging you and asking you when it would be time to be a big girl and use the potty, to which you confidently responded with "I dunno, I'll check my calendar." I didn't force the potty training agenda, besides I had a newborn on the way and had confidence that you wouldn't reach young adulthood still wearing a pull up. Your little sister was born, and practically the next day you woke up and said "I'm a big girl now mama, I wear underwear now.". Welp okay, were doing this I thought, and you've been totally rocking it with minimal accidents and utmost "I told you so" pride.

Some of my favorite things about three year old Charlie are:

• The way you hold your hands clasped together at rest.

• The way you do one single exaggerated nod of your head in agreement.

• That Sully cuddles you on your bed nightly.

• Your crooked little mischievous grin.

• The absolute passion and excitement you get going to dance class and the way you idolize your dance teacher.

• They way you are insistent on doing straight French fries to go fast down the mountain on your skis.

• The way you fight with your brother, but also the way you love and play with your brother.

• Your love for spicy food, and your stubbornness to finish a spicy perogy pizza slice--claiming that its your favorite with heat induced tears streaming down your face.

• The shrill shriek you emit when you are frustrated or trying to set a boundary with your brother. Okay I admit I don’t LOVE this, it honestly makes my brain momentarily short circuit but I want to remember it nonetheless.

Charlie girl, guess what? I love you. So. Darn. Much. I can't wait to keep watching you grow, and getting to know you more. Thank you for choosing me to be your Mama.

Love you forever,

Love Mom

Xo