Dear Cole Merritt,
You are three years old! It's hard to believe that you made us a family of four three years ago today. It's funny looking back at you as a newborn...
and a baby...
and one year old...
and two year old...
and seeing how much you've grown and changed, yet how much you still have so many of those same qualities you did as a baby.
This picture pretty much sums.it.up...
You are so independent and strong willed, and incredibly active. You are a snuggler only when you feel like it but when you do, you give the sweetest hugs and kisses! You still suck your right thumb at night and to soothe you when you're sad. You love your elephant, monkey and lion "b's" - blankets. You don't like to sleep. You wake up multiple times and night and talk yourself back to sleep. You've recently started telling me at naptime, "No, not today!"
You aren't too interested in eating actual meals other than breakfast. You seriously LOVE breakfast. You eat two breakfasts each day. In fact, we themed your family birthday party as a "breakfast for dinner" theme because you basically only like breakfast foods. You could snack on processed food all day long as well. You are slowly starting to try healthy foods again. Your favorite foods are: any crackers, cookies, cake, fruit bars, all berries, apples, bananas, cheddar cheese slices, toast and jam, bacon, sausage, eggs, muffins, chips, pickles, olives, cooked carrots, any kind of bread, and cereal.
You are quite verbal and really funny. You are truly going through the "terrible twos" but there might be an end in sight... you seem to stay more even tempered now that you are expressing yourself better. (I typed this the night before your worst tantrum day ever...- ha- that will teach me!) The tantrums are so ridiculous that they're funny.... not to you however. Sometimes I have no idea who/what sets you off. Mostly, I ignore them. There is no reasoning with you when you are so upset. You now go to your room, lay in the dark and suck your thumb and after about 10-15 minutes you usually come out smiling and yell out, "I feel better now!" Even with the tantrums you spend at least 3/4 of the time happy and sweet.
You were somewhat indifferent about the pool last year- no love, but no hate- I'm hoping this summer will change your mind. Our family loves the pool, beach and all water related activities so maybe after some lessons you will fall in love?!?
You LOVE your big brother, tormenting the dogs and playing outside. You'd rather be outside than doing anything else. You could spend 3 hours at the park and still not want to leave. The cold/hot doesn't bother you in the least. You don't like to wear coats or hats and don't like the wind. You don't like being told what to do. You are very social and love other kids. Your best friend is "Drew-by" and your other friends at Stephie's house are Colton, Dex, Ella, and baby Evan. You love Mrs. Stephie and she tells us you are practically perfect when you're there... many times when I pick you up you are happy to see me and then quickly change into a growly mood until dinner time when Daddy gets home. I need some magic Stephie dust! Good times... this too shall pass.
You know all of your colors and can count to 5 and sometimes to 10. You are starting to show some interest in learning your letters. We have tried to work with you some with them, but you resist when you can tell somebody wants you to do something. I am confident it will come when you want it to. This seems to be the pattern for many things... like potty training... Sigh. You have complete physical control, and have for a while now... it's the "want-to" we are still lacking. In good time... You are great at puzzles and reasoning. You also can think abstractly about things. You're a smart cookie!
You LOVE books and pretend to read them often. You memorize the pages and the way we read them and it's pretty darn cute. You have most every diggers name memorized and animal as well.
You love cars, trucks and diggers. You are obsessed with Cars and Lightning McQueen... Just like Grady was. When we asked you what you wanted for your birthday you told us "Lightning McQueen cake." Your two favorite things... You also like to play chase games and invented wrestle games like "Bring it on Brother" and "huh" with Daddy. You are crazy strong and attempt to beat up your brother constantly. It's kinda scary actually... Ha! You love talking on FaceTime to Mimi and Papa.
You like movies like Cars and Cars 2 and TV shows such as Imagination Movers, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. However, you'd rather play. Rarely will you sit and watch a show without doing other things as well, unless you are strapped in to a car seat or airplane seat... which you hate. You have never been a fan of riding in the car, and still aren't. When we travel you like to play on the iPad and "DVDB" player. You like to watch sports too!
Disney was super fun this Thanksgiving with you. You were happy literally all day/night long except when we rode the tea-cups, which you still talk about not liking- ha- and when we waited 45 minutes to meet Buzz for you and you wouldn't get near him! Silly boy...
You seem to have grown out of your eczema.... knock on wood. We are thinking you have developed either motion sickness / slight reflux or you just gag easily... either way, it's not fun. We also have discovered if we don't give you milk at night things go better. Maybe you are lactose intolerant like mommy?
You weigh 33 pounds and wear a size 3T in pants and a 4T in shirts. I'm not sure how tall you are, we'll find out at your well check in a couple weeks. You wear a size 9-10 shoe. You have all your teeth. You seem to have long arms and big hands and feet. I have a feeling you'll be tall and thin.
You and "Gwady" are the best of friends. You play, wrestle, laugh, fight, chase and argue constantly and repeat. He teases you and you take it pretty well most of the time.
You are one tough cookie. You got your first set of stitches this year and I have to say it didn't surprise us at all. I really am surprised at how well you play together being 4 years apart in age. Daddy and I LOVE that you two get along so well.
Cole, you are the sweetest, craziest, funniest, smartest (and slightly stubborn) three year old I've ever known (with the possible exception of your brother) and we love you to the moon and back.
Happy 3rd Birthday Cole-Monster!
