Happy Birthday Miss Mitu

Happy 3rd Birthday!

It is amazing that Alemitu turned 3 this summer. Not an "I can't believe she is already 3" kind of thing. More like an "She isn't 16 yet? Really?" Oh boy. Every day I ask myself "What is my life going to look like when she is a teenager?" I mean, just last night she told Adam (who was sitting on the couch joking around with the boys) to "Relax. Just don't freak out." Oh and the other day when she was lecturing me about how her teachers told her that cutting hair with scissors is bad. After I tried explaining to her that it is my job, so it is okay if I do it, she said, "Blah, blah, blah. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you . . . " and so on. My birthday was 6 months ago.

Or the time when we were at the doctor, and the doctor was opening a sterile pack of instruments and Alemitu looked at them and said, "Wow. I did not see that one coming!" She is full of phrases. One of my favorites is when she slowly says, "That. is. AWESOME!" Some of the phrases are used appropriately, but most of them aren't. It cracks us up. When she gets in trouble, we are always trying to hide our smiles because whatever she did to get in trouble was pretty funny. This girl is just full of energy. All the time. She brings so much happiness to our family.

At her 3 year old checkup, we passed a huge milestone. She no longer screams at the top of her lungs at the doctor's office. This was wonderful, and the nurse and doctor both commented on it. Thank you television show, Doc McStuffins! Because of Doc McStuffins, Alemitu was loving the doctor. She even cried a few days later because she went with me to my doctor, and she wanted to be the one getting a check-up, not me. This was wonderful. Unfortunately, she had a really painful and traumatic procedure done 4 days later, and I don't think Doc McStuffins can fix this one. I don't blame her. Poor girl.

Happy girl at the doctor

Another happy doctor picture 4 days later at Good Night Pediatrics -- unfortunately, minutes later she would begin screaming nonstop for about 20 minutes. She had no idea what was coming.

The doctor was really happy with her health. She is 37 inches tall, but weighs only 27 pounds (fully clothed with shoes). She has only gained a couple of pounds since last year, and is in the 5-10 percentile for height and weight. However, the doctor is not concerned. Even though he is aware that our biggest parenting challenge is trying to get her to eat her food, he says that her features are petite and she appears healthy, not underweight. I was thrilled to hear this. 

Alemitu is still getting spoiled by her brothers constantly. Her brothers have nicknamed her "Miss Mitu". I love it when one of her brothers will say, "I just love that she is in our family." Or "I never even thought we'd have a sister, but she is so funny."The downside to this is that she will throw a huge tantrum if her brothers don't do what she demands, immediately. Her time spent staring at the corner is usually a result of this.

THINGS ACCORDING TO ALEMITU

Age: 9
According to Alemitu, she is 9. When she was 2, she knew her age every time she was asked. Since she has turned three, she consistently says she is 9 and will often get upset if you correct her. 

Favorite color: Pink

Favorite show: Doc McStuffins and My Little Ponies

Favorite songs: ABCs and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Favorite food: Sausage, chocolate, and cupcakes

Favorite toys: Her brothers' old little Mickey Mouse stuffed animal. We can't go anywhere without it. She also loves playing with her megablocks. (Big legos)

Favorite friend Boyfriend: She announced to me and Adam separately that she has a boyfriend. Who? Carter. Her cousin. Why? Because he dances with her.

Favorite thing to do: Dance. Sing. Cuddle.

One of several birthday cupcakes in Tennessee

Birthday kiss from friend, Ty

She was SO excited for her birthday this year. She kept saying she wanted a party. We had a small celebration at home. Then we had a celebration with our friends in Tennessee. Then we had another celebration with Sabrina's family in Hilton Head Island. I think she definitely got her party.

 

My big 3 year old

She picked out her outfit for school. When she wears Adam's old hat, she tells everyone to call her "man" rather than Alemitu.