The Bader Family: Happy 3rd BDay Kaitlyn!!

I’ve been meaning to write this post for about a month and half now but finally getting a chance to sit down and do it. I first must admit that I’m taking the idea from a good friend (hope you don’t mind Betsy!) but as she said too, I haven’t been the best about documenting Kaitlyn’s life in a baby book so what better way to take a minute to reflect on who she is at three years old then on the blog. It’s so hard to believe that just three years ago our lives were changed forever. At times it feels like yesterday and at times it’s hard to imagine life before we were blessed with the sweetest gift of all – Kaitlyn Christy Bader. Kaitlyn, if I had to choose a couple of key words to describe you the first ones to pop in my mind would be energetic, silly, loving, gentle, inquisitive, and observant. I am so blessed to be guaranteed a good laugh at least once a day by your silliness and beautiful smile. Although there are times in the day where your many, many questions and “whys” might drive me crazy it’s your cute little voice and curiosity that get me every time. Some of your favorite daily questions include “mom, what’s he make?” (aka what does he do – garbage man, delivery man, etc) and “mom, where’s he going?” when pointing to cars on the road. You are extremely observant and don’t let me get away with anything. One of your favorite quotes is "maybe one day when I get bigger I do that..."

I might be bias but I think that you one of the kindest, most gentle hearted three year olds who is always concerned if someone else is upset or something just isn’t right. There are a number of time where you tell me “I love you” or “thank you for my…” out of the blue which melts my heart. You are so much more helpful with your brother than I could have ever imagine. Although I feel like a broken record when I say “gentle KK” a million times a day, you are so sweet to him and have never really shown true signs of jealousy (not yet!). Some of your favorite activities include playing “chase, chase,” bubbles, swinging on the swings (especially when Daddy pushes you "reeeeal high"), playing soccer with Daddy, going to the library, going to the park, and going to “shoool” (aka school). You love going to school and your teacher Mrs Kimberlie. One of my favorite times of the day is picking you up from school. I love the way you run to me when I get out of the car and love hearing all about your day, which usually involves playing with your pal Cannon :)

You can sing your ABCs and count to about 12 (usually missing 11 in there). Your favorite number is 3 “because I’m three”! Favorite is color is pink of course and often ask to be “all pink” when getting dressed although luckily I can usually talk you out of it. You can spot a “K” from a mile away and know the basic shapes. You know your address and that we used to live in Ohio and are now in Texas. You love to sing “my songs” in the car and are super silly about making up words to other songs (just like your momma!). When asked your name the response used to be “KK” which is where your nickname came from. More recently the response is “Princess Ballerina” or “Ballerina” which also happens to be the name of ALL of your baby dolls.

You are still a little bitty thing weighing in at 26.6 lbs (7%) but somehow have managed to be in the 85^th percentile in height at 37 inches.

You will always have my heart and don’t think we could be more blessed with such a sweet, loving three year old in our lives!! Thank you for all of your smiles and the many “good morning Momma” that help start my day with a smile!

Here are a few pics from our many, many birthday celebrations!!

Celebrating our birthday with our cousins...