Yep, she did it again.  She went and had another birthday and my little baby is now three years old.  And I found myself holding back tears of pride most of the day.  This year instead of having a birthday party, we decided to take her to LEGOland in Carlsbad, CA.  We started out by spending the night at Dada & Dadi’s house and we actually cut her birthday cake in the morning.  She and her dad had picked it out from 85 degrees the day before.

Then off to LEGOland we went.  She really enjoyed it!  She warmed up by playing in the Duplo Playtown and then we spent the rest of the day riding rides, eating, and looking at the incredible structures they’ve built.  I think LEGOland is great for three year olds. We went on a swinging pirate ship ride that was a little too much for her (she was a little scared and said it made her stomach ache) but otherwise loved everything!  She was starting to tucker out at around 2:00 but said she wanted to do more so we stopped and let her get some driving practice at the Volvo driving school.  She was really proud of the driver’s license she got at the end.  It was really cute seeing her drive a little car – she’s never done anything like that before.

After her nap, she said she wanted to go to Islands for dinner so we did and she had a special treat – an ice cream sundae.  She was pretty excited about that.  Her special day was only out-specialed by how wonderful she is.

The next day we met up with some friends and her aunt, uncle and cousin, who were thoughtful enough to bring some special cupcakes to celebrate her birthday at lunch.

And here’s a picture of her at her 3 year check-up:

So now is when I have to gush.  I have to.  I can’t help it.  I am so incredibly proud of this little 37 inch beauty.  She’s changed so much in this last year.  She’s funny – she made up a little joke – “There’s something black and white in your jacket, daddy.  It’s a skunk!”  She’s smart.  So.effing.smart.  She’s reading.  She can identify on a map pretty much all 50 states.  She can recite pretty much all 50 states and she can identify by shape almost all 50 states.  I cannot.  She remembers stuff from months ago…stuff that we were certain she had forgotten.  She learned the gayatri mantra after only hearing it a few times.  She knows her planets and where all her family members live.  She’s adorable with her curly hair and huge smiley eyes.  She loves life – she rarely says no to going somewhere and is always planning where we’re going to go next.  This is nice and all but what really gets me about my sweet little girl is how incredibly loving and happy she is.  Almost anytime we talk about going somewhere, she voluntarily includes her sister.  If you ask her who she loves, she will give you a long list that includes her uncles and aunts, cousins, and grandparents.  She’s a good big sister.  Sometimes when I’m helping her fall asleep, Super S will start crying from her room and Miss K will say “Can you get Sia?”  One of my favorite things recently is watching Miss K hold Super S’s hand while they slide down the slide.  It’s adorable.  It’s been so much fun being able to now have a conversation with her.  She’s inquisitive and brave and friendly.  And she’s just three.  I love hearing her sing songs, especially the patriotic ones…especially when the words to America the Beautiful include “god shed his grace zombies” and The Star Spangled Banner is the Star Mangoed Banner.  She ordered a beer for her dad at dinner the other night.  That’s pretty awesome.  When I tell her I love her hair, she says “I love YOU” and when I tell her I love her toes, she says “I love YOU” and when I tell her I love her, she says “I love you, too mama” and then I want to fall apart because I don’t understand what I did right to deserve such a beautiful soul in my life.

Before I got pregnant with Karina, I was working pretty hard and I was stressed.  After many successes at my job as an executive, I had been put into a role where it was kind of a no-win situation and I was struggling.  Then we found out we were pregnant.  And suddenly all the noise stopped.  She brought the sunshine back.  I hope to never forget the feeling I had just days after she was born when she, her dad, and I were driving home from Target.  I just remember feeling like there was good in the world.  And that things were right and harmonious and I just had an overwhelming feeling of well being. And I know it’s a cheesy pop song sung by cheesy pop stars but there’s a song that really explains how she changed me.  I’m proud and I’m strong and I can do things that I never thought I could and it started with her.  It’s called Superhuman and it’s by Keri Hilson and Chris Brown.  I know it’s supposed to be a love song but it makes me think of my little girl.

Weak
I had been crying and crying for weeks
How’d I survive when I could barely speak
Barely eat
On my knees

But that’s the moment you came to me
I don’t know what your love has done to me
Think I’m invincible I see
Through the me
I used to be

You changed my whole life
Don’t know what you’re doing to me with your love
I’m feeling all Super human
You did that to me
Super human heart beats in me
Nothing can stop me here with you, superhuman
Super human
Super human
Super human

Strong
Since I’ve been flying and righting the wrongs
Feels almost like i had it all along
I can see tomorrow
But every problem is gone because
I flew everywhere with love inside of me
It’s unbelievable to see
How love could set me free

You changed my whole life
Don’t know what your doing to me with your love
I’m feeling all Super human
You did that to me
Super human heart beats in me
Nothing can stop me here with you, superhuman
Super human
Super human

Its not a bird
Not a plane
Its my heart and its gonna go away
My only weakness is you
Only reason is you
Every minute with you I feel like I can do
Anything

Going going I’m going away
In love
You changed my whole life
Don’t know what your doing to me with your love
I’m feeling all Super human
You did that to me
Super human heart beats in me
Nothing can stop me here with you, superhuman
Super human
Super human

So, to the little lady who changed me in ways that I never imagined, Happy Birthday.  I love you love you, babycakes.