Three Years Old

How do I have a three year old? There are times when I feel like time stands still but really time passes by so quickly. I know all Moms say that, but it is so true. I hardly know where to begin when talking about our precious 3 year old, Madeline Grace.
Madeline Grace is 100% girly girl with her jewels, painted toenails, lip gloss, bows, doll babies, purses, opinions about her clothing & shoe options each morning, monthly haircut, and the list of all girl things goes on and on. I LOVE that about Madeline because I am a girly girl, and I understand her need to have everything just so. I also dislike this trait because it brings on the D-R-A-M-A especially in times of "temper tantrum prone" behavior. However, I get it ~ the need to have just the right shoes, the right bow, the right undies, the right outfit, the right jewels, the right everything! I get it 100%, but it still makes me crazy. My mom tells me all the time, "You always said you wanted a girly girl, and you got her 210%." Yes, I did, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Madeline has endured quite a "half year" ~ new baby sister; a new baby sister that has had many health issues taking up lots of Mommy's energy; potty training; new playroom (meaning no more toys in the den & having to spend more time on her own playing in another room); more strict rules regarding snacks, meals, table manners, and desserts; no more paci; and Daddy's crazy busy work/travel schedule. Looking back, it's no wonder we had (and still have) some serious "rough patches" and "growing pains", and I think there were moments that I forgot my sweet girl was only 2 1/2 dealing with a variety of major life changes. However, we manage to muscle through them, and Madeline came out of it all smelling like a rose. She is really turning into a lovely, well spoken, mannerly little girl when she's not touching the boundaries with her toes. We are so proud of her with regard to her social skills & manners.
Madeline loves school, books, coloring, painting, reading, and all things related to school activities. She thrives in a structured atmosphere, and she very much enjoys all things learning. Madeline questions, absorbs, and loves to "know stuff". Eric and I think she just might be our little bookworm, and we love that about her.
Madeline loves her little sister to pieces, and it's such a sweet relationship. Madeline dotes on Amelia while gently "enforcing" the rules. "No, Amelia, you are not allowed to touch the remote control." or "No, Amelia, no pulling hair!" While there have been sharing issues and a few invasions of personal space, for the most part, Madeline adores her little sister, watches out for her, and plays ever so sweetly with her. Heaven forbid, any other child come near Amelia in a group setting ~ Madeline's "mama bear" comes out quickly! She points her little finger at the offender, and usually says something along the lines of, "This is my baby, and you need to leave her alone!" I suppose I won't worry when Amelia is a kindergartner, and Madeline is a third grader on the school bus. However, I have seen some of Madeline's "big-sister-I-get-to-do-this-and-you-don't" behavior come out, and she's had to learn the hard lesson of not taunting the baby.
Speaking of things that Madeline loves, she LOVES the TV. Oh my goodness, it's ridiculous how much TV Madeline would watch if I allowed her to do so. She's really gotten into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Little Einsteins on the Disney channel. I have to admit, it's a nice change. I was pretty much over Dora and Ni-hao, Kailan on Nick Jr. While on the topic of bad habits, Madeline also loves anything in the chip aisle and chocolate. We've had to lay down some pretty serious mealtime rules: "You can have some chips if you eat your sandwich first." & "You can have some chocolate if you eat your entire dinner." For the most part, Madeline accepts these rules and follows them. She knows we don't waiver on them, so she accepts the consequences of not eating her sandwich or dinner.
Madeline is a shopper! I am pretty sure that she's the only 3 year old I know that enthusiastically shouts, "YAY!" when I announce that we are going to Target or the grocery or even better, BOTH!, after the gym. It's really funny how much she enjoys these two places especially considering the fact that this Mama doesn't fall for the "I want that!" plea on just about every aisle. I guess she just enjoys window shopping!

Not only does Madeline never stop talking (NEVER!), her imagination also never stops. She is constantly strumming up all kinds of little scenarios and using random things to portray whatever "prop" she needs for her scenario. Madeline is really good at improvising with whatever she can find to make her imaginary play come alive. Of course, "going to the market", taking care of doll babies, and hosting tea parties are the top three scenarios. Most of the time, she's prancing around in some ridiculous get up while she's doing all this. I love to spy on her to catch a glimpse of her imagination at work. My favorite line I've overheard so far is, "Come on Stella (her bitty baby). We're going to the market to get salad for Mommy and brewskies for Daddy!" If that doesn't represent Eric and I to a tee, I don't know what does! :)
Of course, I'd be leaving out a major part of Madeline's personality if I failed to mention her anger and bullheadedness. When she snaps, it's on. This girl can throw a temper tantrum like nothing I've ever seen, and it's UGLY! She can flail, kick, screech, and holler with some serious stamina. These tantrums definitely infuriate me, and I've had to learn to walk away from her during these heated moments. It takes both of us many minutes and many deep breaths to calm down from these episodes, but the irrational, angry Madeline is not a pretty sight. Her strong will, her stubbornness, and her willingness to stand up for herself will all serve her well in her future, but right now, we are having to work through when to be angry and stubborn and when to obey her Mommy & Daddy. I must say, she comes by these qualities 110% honestly. Both her Mommy and Daddy are pretty bullheaded. Our latest behavior issue with Madeline is talking back. It's making us crazy! When we ask Madeline to do something, she will answer with some sort of, "But I was just..." or "But I want..." Usually repeating ourselves with a much more stern tone does the trick, but we want her to respond the first time.
Madeline makes us so proud, and we love her more than she could ever know. She's silly, girly, sweet natured, smart, and adorable. We are so happy to call her ours, and we look forward to what this third year brings us!

(Beautiful photos courtesy of Jennifer St. John)