Ari is 3 years + 5 months. I am writing this blog post on Tuesday and I feel pretty good. Yesterday, had I attempted to write this post, it would be very negative and full of angst. That is what raising a strong willed three-year old replica of yourself will do to you. Days are inconsistently fantastic or awful. ...And Dan and I can tell by breakfast what the day may look like.
Ari is amazingly smart and outgoing. She is creative and outspoken. She is opinionated and manipulative. She is a leader (read: bossy) and is argumentative. I have to laugh at what she is because it is pretty much me. The realism. The seriousness. The "I'm right" and "It's my way or nothing". Phew, tasting your own medicine every day is humbling, exhausting and certainly makes me want to apologize to my parents.
She is also very adorable and sweet. She is helpful and kind to pretty much everyone. Even if she stares a tiny bit too long at the man in the wheelchair, she still showed him her Tinkerbell shirt just like she does to everyone. She is fiercely friendly and loyal and wants to know why everyone won't say hi to her. I love taking her places and letting her talk to everyone. I am looking forward to those conversations on who she met and what they were like (not everyone is as kind to her as you'd think though she melts the hearts of many).
Ari is growing and learning so well and way too fast. She can recognize the entire Alphabet and her vocabulary is exploding. Her first written "A" is plastered on the fridge. She can count, knows shapes, colors, all the animals and loves to 'read' books. She remembers things and has a keen ability to retain knowledge and stories. I love her little mind expanding and exploring the world. "They" say that each year brings new and exciting personality traits that you love more and more as time goes. This has to be the most demanding and discipline-focused stage thus far. But I am learning to laugh and enjoy it. Dan and I look at each other often and are amazed at what has been given to us and what we've created. It is a lovely challenge with rewards unmentionable.
3 comments:
LOVE this post ... Your honesty, your love and struggles with 3-year-old Ari. So many memories come flooding back! IMO, the next bug hurdle, after 3, is age 14! Keep laughing and rolling with the punches. All that growing and learning will make her a crazy, fiery girl some days! Can't wait to see her soon.
I love Ari, and I love her parents. You two are doing an amazing job with an amazing child, and yes, she does reminds us of one of our daughters...Ahem....and she turned out pretty darn good. God's guiding you all and His handiwork is obvious in Ari. Remain humble and flexible, it will all pay off. We love ya. MnD
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