Dear Samantha (44 Month Update)

Dear Samantha,

Today you are 44 months old and just 4 months shy of your 4th birthday. Time flies each month, but Daddy and I look forward to each new month to see what new things you're doing and what new things you're saying.

Mommy really loves to listen to you during the day when you're playing with your toys. You have such a fun and vivid imagination. You enjoy playing with your Little People school and and camping set. Daddy and I get a little confused sometimes because you call your Little People "Mommy" and "Daddy" and there are times where you'll yell out "Mommy and "Daddy" and you're actually not talking to us and instead talking to your Little People.

You have a knack for catching onto things quickly...just like Daddy. We recently took you skating and you were cautious, but you seemed to enjoy it. You also love to play board games, especially Candy Land. Any chance you get, you ask Mommy, Daddy and Nanny to play.

Mommy has also had a great time having field trips with the playgroup. This month, we'll be going to a bread factory, and a chocolate factory tour. I really enjoy our fun dates each month, and I know how much you love to cook and bake. You've also made some new friends in this playgroup.

Now that Mommy is working on her training for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, it's nice to see you get excited to "jog" with me along with the Wii.

You continue to do a great job saying grace before each meal. You do a fantastic job saying your prayers before bedtime. It's very sweet to see you be excited first thing in the morning when Sarah wakes up, and also very amusing to listen to you play with your little sister. I love listening to you giggle and sing songs.

Daddy and I are also impressed with how you're speaking Spanish. You're saying your numbers and your colors in Spanish. You're saying a few extra words like "Hola" and "Por favor". You may not listen to Mommy and Daddy all the time, but it's nice to know that you are listening and memorizing Spanish vocabulary.

Thank you for keeping us entertained with your deep questions in the car. Thank you for teaching Daddy and I how to be patient. Thank you for telling Mommy and Daddy what you're looking for. Thank you for being such a big help and wanting to do things around the house like cleaning, or putting the toys away. We know you don't always like to clean, or put things away, but when you do it truly is a big help to Mommy.

Thank you for continuing to make us smile. Thank you for continuing to make us proud by saying "thank you" and "I love you" not only at home but in public too. There are challenging days, but overall, you always make Daddy and I smile. We love you so very much. Always remember that.

Love always,

Mommy & Daddy

Here are some photos of you from one year ago in March 2010

Here is what you look like today in March 2011