Dear Adleigh,

You are THREE! I know I say it with every letter, but I really cannot believe it. I have been in the baby/toddler stage for years and now, it’s over. You have grown so beautifully, peanut!

You have grown from a two year old still learning to words to a young girl that says “I apologize” when an accident happens. You were a two year old that needed mom for EVERYTHING to a girl that can take off her clothes (you love to be naked! Often asking “mama can I be naked?” I’m sure you will love reading this at 14!), put dishes away, and help with chores. Not long after you turned two you started saying “self a” when you wanted to do something by yourself. May you always carry the strength of independence and know the pride in a job done yourself.

You have developed your own personality. You don’t only like princesses, you LOVE PJ MASKS!  You LOVE pops! You enjoyed going to the pool a lot this year, I know you will be off and swimming on your own in no time! You love dancing, especially to Monster Mash, and you LOVE LOVE LOVE gymnastics! You have no fear and you flip over bars, climb mats, and jump into pits! You have a strong sense of who you are! You love to say, “I’m Adleigh Sue Murphy!” May you always follow the beat of your own drum.

I’m so lucky that I have been able to be able with you and Liberty full time. This is time that you never get back and it really has been the best part of my life. I have loved watching you and Liberty play together. You love to play dress up, especially Anna and Elsa. When you were about two and a half until Lou went off for school time you guys played dress up all day every day. There was so much joy in both of your faces! There were a couple nights you would wake up in the middle of the night and say “dress up Anna”, you just couldn’t wait until morning to play with your sister!

Often when we could go places you would say “Hi, this is my best friend Liberty.” So sweet! As I type this letter the three of you are playing Lion Guard together on the floor. May you three always be each other’s best friend.

You love Hide and Seek, or as you call it, scare and seek. Everyone would hide and I would count and just as soon as I say “ready or not here I come” you would run out from your hiding spot and yell “Adleigh here!” and then as your language progressed “Here I am!” We would all laugh each time, as you never cease to put a smile on my face. May you always keep that joy in your heart.

I think one of my favorite things about you is how much you love your family. You are happiest when you are cuddled up reading books or running around the house with Canton and Liberty. When you were a young two you would wake up and say “Where’s Canton? Oh school. Where’s Liberty, oh sleeping. Where’s Daddy, oh work.” On Liberty’s third day of school you didn’t wake up early enough to see them leave and you said “Where are my friends?” in the saddest little voice. When we are coming back from the store or running any of you kids around as we pull into the neighborhood you say “mama I see home!” You love being home and know that is just where you belong.

I love when you fall into my arms and coo as we cuddle. My heart melts when you say “I’m your peanut mommy.” Sometimes you tell dad that you are his nugget and I know it melts him just the same. You love to be tickled, especially under your arms. For some reason you love to say “mama smell my feet!” You think it’s the most hilarious thing! You still say “upppie” and I’m happy to oblige as long as I am privileged enough to hold you! I know those days are slipping away, the days of you preferring me and running to my legs for safety are coming to an end and I will take every “uppie” I can get. You often run around the house saying “mama I’m happy” or “mama I’m super happy” and even if you have a cry it won’t be long until you say “mama, I’m better now.” May you always be as happy.

Your adventure is just starting to begin and I cannot wait to see how it will go. Continue to grow, laugh, and love. Always let your light shine and spread joy wherever you go with the hearty laugh of yours.

I don’t know where you learned this saying, but it is my favorite thing you say, “mama, I love you and I like you!”  I guess it’s funny because some of us have people in our life that we love but don’t necessarily like too much.  You know what Ad, I love you and I like you too!

Love,

Mom