Emma: Three

Our sweet and sassy Emma turned three last month and somehow over the last six months, she turned more and more into a little girl, less like a toddler. She is such an imaginative, loving, sincere, inquisitive and spunky girl and we are enjoying watching her grow.

Likes/Dislikes: I always say Emma is all girl in terms of her love of her baby dolls, dressing up and playing pretend (especially playing doctor). She loves animals, being outside, swimming, her friends, Paw Patrol, Frozen, Doc McStuffins, doing somersaults and bossing Maggie around. It wasn't until the last couple months that I realized she is totally my child: she likes to know everything that is going on, is very particular about certain things, is very motherly, wears her heart on her sleeve and needs space when upset. But at the same time, she looks like her dad and has his silly personality. She's not a fan of sharing with Maggie but does just fine with others.

Development: At her three year appointment, she came in at 3'2 (80th percentile) and 29.9 pounds (39the percentile). She has struggled with some GI issues and after meeting with a specialist and a few trips to the doctor, we are relieved to know she doesn't have Celiacs. We will follow up again in October and re-evaluate if issues are still persistent. Health aside, she is growing leaps and bounds in her language and pronunciation. I still laugh at how silly I was a year ago at this time thinking she would be mute.

Common sayings: 

• "I don't know" or "Nuffing (nothing)" 
• "I love you so much. To the moon and back, forever and always"
• "No fair"
• "That's interesting"
• "I remember that"
• "I'm a good helper"
• "Time for your checkup. Check your ear, nose, mouth, reflexes"
• "I a big girl and Maggie a little girl"

Sleeping: Emma's still going to bed between 7:15-7:30 p.m. and waking between 6:00-6:30 a.m. Stalling at bedtime is probably her favorite routine, ha. Seriously, this can drive anyone bonkers and to the end of their rope. We went months of it taking 15-60 minutes with multiple trips back there. Now, after a month of awesomeness and only having to go back once, we are back to having to go in there three times a night. But, I know it could be much, much worse. I do loathe though when people try suggesting moving her bedtime back and maybe it would help with stalling or her sleeping later. Nope, doesn't work. It's the same issue going to bed no matter when it is and she always wakes up at the same time, regardless of when she goes to bed. Cutting out a nap isn't an option either because she (and us) need it. So she naps anywhere from an hour and a half to two and a half hours every day.

Eating: We have hit a rough patch in Emma's eating too the last couple of months. She just doesn't eat that much any more other than at breakfast. We have cut out the amount of snacking she does and that still doesn't help. There are meals that she literally just picks at and eats a few things and then some that she will ask for more. She will always eat fruit, breakfast items, peanut butter and honey sandwiches, pasta and sweet corn.