My little Henry is not so little anymore – “I’m getting bigger all the time, Mama!” I hear him say this, or some version of it, on the daily especially now that he has turned three. I have a three year old; it seems like he was just born while at the same time some days feel like they drag on for eternity. It’s strange how that happens.
We celebrated his birthday a day early with some family members and his favorite friends in our backyard with an Under the Sea theme. Keith rigged up a hose to mist water, splash-pad style, over a medium-sized kiddie pool and the kids LOVED it. Margo helped the little ones create an octopus art project and set up a fishing game, and they also had the opportunity to dig for buried treasure. There were giggles, conversation, food, and hugs. Henry said his favorite part was being with his friends and family. I don’t think the party could have been more fun, for him or for any of us.
On his actual birthday we did our regular church routine after eating a cupcake breakfast, he had his nap, and then played in his pool out back until bedtime. A pretty mundane yet epic way to spend the day. Like he says, “I want to do all the things I like to do.” And I think he managed to do it all.
We had his three year old check up with his pediatrician, Dr. Notter, and he is 39 3/4 inches tall and 33 1/2 pounds, making him in the 95th percentile for height and 55th percentile for weight. He’s perfectly growing on his curve, and brings us so much joy. Some things he is really into right now are kicking a ball around with his Daddy, building airplanes and vehicles with his Legos and magnetic blocks, and playing trains. Our little extravert, he loves going to the gym to see his friends, playing at playgrounds where there are kids, and dancing at the library. He also enjoys reading; some favorites include “The Giving Tree,” “The Day the Crayons Came Home,” and “The Lorax.”
He’s potty trained when he’s not sleeping, and can’t stop talking these days. It’s so nice to be able to have conversations with him about his day and ask him to describe what he wants using his words. I love this stage for the most part, except when he feels too overcome by his emotions and can’t control them (he tends to Hulk-out on us until he calms down). He takes one nap for 1.5 to 2 hours in the afternoon, and sleeps well at night when we’re at home (occasionally waking once to have us turn his pillow over or re-tuck him in). He misses us and wants to make sure we’re still here at night; one day he’ll stop doing this altogether and I look forward to it.
We set up a big boy bed in his room as his birthday gift (thanks to the Buda family for the frame, Oma & Opa for the mattress, and Keith for MaGuyver-ing the frame together), and he still looks small in it. I know one day he will be too big for it, but for now I’m happy he is still my little big boy.