Thursday, October 28, 2021

Sloan is 3!!

 Dear Sloan,

Yesterday we celebrated your third birthday! We had a party with the three friends from school who you talk about the most (Isla, Adell, and Piper), and you were really excited for cupcakes and gifts.  When they got to our house you went outside yelling and thrilled for their presence. We got you a doorway swing/hammock contraption, and you've already done several flips.  You were also given a big girl bicycle, and I anticipate you learning to ride it quickly.  

You love going places, and last week when given the choice on different days you wanted to "run errands" and wanted to go to Costco instead of going home. You enjoy going to childcare at the gym and "playing with friends" while I "exercise."  One day you ran into the childcare room and exclaimed "I'm here" as if they had all been waiting for you. You're the most social and friendly (and brave) child on the playground and befriend children so easily.  You love babies and are so quick to notice them and their pacis or crying. People continue to be amazed by your climbing skills and general athleticism.  Last summer you climbed a tree in a neighbor's yard and got up pretty high. Then you were swinging on a branch and saying "wahoo" and "I'm strong!"  Unfortunately you then fell face first.  You cried for maybe a minute (and way less hard than when you have a tantrum), and then you wriggled out of my arms and said "do it again. Go away" because you don't like it when I try to spot you. 

You have changed so much in the last few weeks. You've added a LOT of words to your repertoire and are communicating so well; several people have noticed it, and the other night when you and Ella Kate were bathing together EK exclaimed "Sloan is telling me exactly what she means. She's doing SO good." We all love hearing your thoughts.

Your typical day begins when we get you out of your crib at 7:30, and you have about 20 minutes to eat and visit with Jackson and Ella Kate and then we take her to school.  Both Jackson and Ella Kate love to be the one to wake you up.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you go to MDO from 9-2 and enjoy your friends and your longtime teacher Bertha May. On the other days we often visit the gym and the park and run errands. You love going to the Discovery Museum, and Gan and Poppy just gave us another zoo membership so you'll love visiting it again too.  You love going to any playground, riding your bike, swinging outside. playing with Myla or the Clark girls, feeding the birds, and basically being active. Your nap is around 1:45, and I wake you about 2 hours later. I love cuddling with you after your nap while you eat a snack and I sing songs or read books.  You like it when Daddy does a "launch" of you onto the bed or makes a slide with a blanket for you to play on.  Bedtime is at 8:00, but sometimes I hear you talking or singing almost an hour later.  For a while we heard you belting out "Let It Go" from your crib.  

Yep, you're still in your crib. You sleep in a sleep sack and have never tried to climb out during your sleeping times, although you can definitely remove your sleep sack and could climb out if you wanted. We need to try potty training again soon and have a well visit Friday; I"ll bet you're still 90% for height.

Recently you have begun enjoying more sedentary activities for more than 5 minutes too--play doh, kinetic sand, crafting, painting, and some imaginative play with baby dolls and Little People. This last summer you enjoyed avidly watching the diving team at the pool. You could sit and watch for 30 minutes at a time.  

The pandemic continues on, and you've been exposed to Covid twice in the last few months and had to quarantine for 8 days.  We can't visit your beloved library anymore because it requires 2 year olds and above to wear a mask, and you just can't keep one on.  Otherwise life is going on pretty much as "normal," and you're here for it! We are excited for your third year and love seeing you grow and your personality develop. We love you so much, Sloany.


Love,

Mama