Stats at her 3 year checkup:
Weight: 26lbs 6th%
Height: 34" 3rd%
Yeah, she's pint-sized. The doctor isn't concerned at all considering she's following her normal growth curve and genetically speaking, she could either follow me, her dad, or be anywhere in between.
Alayna has been a great big sister. I'm so proud of her and relieved at how well she has adjusted. She is protective and caring toward Rebecca. She helps me when I ask her to grab something like a diaper, burp rag, blanket, etc. I don't have to remind her as often anymore about being super gentle with her. She loves to coax Becca into smiling at her, which Becca loves to do. It is so adorable.
She is so smart. In fact, sometimes too smart and verbal. She's become quite the little back-talker to the point that sometimes I don't even know how to respond to what she says to me. If I'm stern with her she'll say "Mom, you don't talk to me like that!" Right now she knows all the letter names and their sounds. Next I want to work with her on recognizing numbers. Then I want her to start trying to write. She has already known her colors and shapes for a while now.
I gave her a little interview and typed her responses, word for word, and thought this would be a good place to post it. Note that if anyone should be offended by not being mentioned in it, it should be me!
What’s your name?
Alayna Sweetheart
How old are you? Three years old
When Is your birthday? October firtieth
Who is in your family? Shanie and Krysten and Kimmy Scottie Grandma Papa Lizzie and Mr. Grinch and that’s all my family….and one more name….baby sister…that’s all my family
Who do you like to play with? Krysten and Shane and Lizzie (these are her cousins...her favorite friends to play with are Ben, Ellie (ward/neighbors), McKay, Maddie, and Ellie G.
What is your favorite food? Mac n cheese…and that’s all
What is your favorite treat? Ice cream
What places do you like to go? To the store…and to the storage units (In reality, they are parks, any restaurant with a playground, the aquarium, library, splash pad, and friends/family's houses...yeah I don't know what's up with the storage units)
What do you like to play with? trains (interesting because we don't own any trains!)
What are your favorite songs? Twinkle Twinkle…when dad sings that (she knows tons of primary/kids songs, so I'm surprised she didn't mention more. Right now she sings Teach Me to Walk in the Light, Families Can Be Together Forever, I Love to See the Temple, Popcorn, Once there was a Snowman, I Am A Child of God, If You Chance to Meet a Frown, etc)
What is your favorite color? orange (really she likes all of them!)
What is your favorite book? Fancy Nancy
What are you thankful for? Jesus…and grandpa…and nana…and papa and grandma…
What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas? Choo choo trains
Favorite movie: Toy-stee and Mr. Grinch
What do you like about Becca? Her arms and her legs and her eyes
Why do you like being a big sister? Because I’m….OLDER!
I definitely wanted to mention on here, although many of you already know, Jeff's grandmother "Nannie" passed away on December 9th, after a 14 year battle with Parkinson's disease. Although during the time I've known her, her health hasn't been very good, I will still remember her as a giving, sweet, brilliant woman with a contagious smile, who I love to hear stories about. The speakers at her funeral told stories about her that inspired me to be a better mother, wife, and person. Truly, the world is a better place because of her life. I feel really lucky that Alayna knew her great-grandmother, and loved to visit her. The last time we saw her was just after Thanksgiving, when we took Rebecca to see Nannie for the first time. Nannie was having a particularly good day that day, and was able to tell Jeff, referring to Becca, "she's a doll!" I am so glad that last experience we had with her was such a happy day, and I'm SO glad we visited her then and took pictures. Those pictures will be invaluable to Rebecca one day. We are sad that she isn't with us anymore, but relieved that she isn't suffering anymore
