Riggins is THREE!

 April 29, 2013

Buddy, you are THREE year old today!  We celebrated by going to the donut shop and to the zoo, where you finally got to ride the train.  For dinner, the four of us went Chic-fil-A, played like crazy, and finished the evening with ice cream cones.  It was such a special day.

I don't even know where to begin in describing you as a three-year-old.  Every day your Daddy and I are more amazed by the little kid who is growing up before our eyes.  Our communication with you has become so conversational; it is so fun to actually chat with you about things.  You have an impeccable memory and a killer sense of direction; you regularly shock me by noticing turn-offs to streets that we took one time months before and telling me, "That's the way to ____!"  Just as you have always been, you continue to be a very friendly kid.  You say hello to everyone you meet and love to join groups of older kids as though you're part of the crowd.  Frequent phrases from you these days are, "Dats too yucky for me,"  "I can't do that right now!" "I wake.  You wake?"

Lately you have become quite the singer.  You are always belting out a tune, your favorites being The Wheels on the Bus, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Jesus Loves Me, Rain Rain Go Away, and The B-I-B-L-E.  You sing along to all of your favorite children's CDs in the car and learn the songs on television shows after only a viewing or two.  Speaking of television shows, your favorites are Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and The Backyardigans.  You memorize the choreography and songs from Backyardigans crazy quickly, and we get such a kick out of watching you sing and dance your way through the show.  You've got moves, Riggs!

You have accomplished so much in the last six months!  In January you transitioned from your crib into a toddler bed and handled it like a champ after a few days and lots of stickers.  Then in March, we began potty training.  Much like other transitions, it was a difficult first couple of days but then you hit your stride and have done wonderfully (also with the help of lots of stickers, praise, and a few prizes!).  You still have the occasional accident but overall you've been a rock star, buddy!  As sad as I was to see your little diaper bootie go (except for nap and bedtime), I have to say that your bootie is just as cute in Thomas the Train undies!  

You wear size 3T clothing and size 8.5 shoes.  You have gotten tall lately, too!  You sleep from about 8-7 each night and still nap for a couple of hours each afternoon.  You're still a pretty good eater although some typical toddler pickiness has crept in.  You love peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, pasta, turkey hot dogs, and fruit of any kind.  You still suck your thumb, which we're working on.

You and Rhett are starting to play together a bit more, which is so fun to watch.  You almost always call him Rhettarooter (Wettawoodur)...so precious!  Despite the budding friendship, you two already know how to fight and we are constantly talking about kindness, gentleness, respect, and self-control.  It's hard to have a little brother up in your business, but you're learning (slowly) how to be friends.  I'm hoping that will continue to improve as you both get older.

Both of you go to Mother's Day Out twice a week and you love going to "school!"  Your teachers have been Wanda, Toshiko, and Ashleigh; you love them and they love you!  We also go to BSF on Wednesday mornings and I love hearing you sing all the little songs you learn there.  We have memorized a few verses together this year and I have been so challenged by your capacity to memorize scripture.  You actually learned "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path."  Pretty good for a two year old!  May those words be in your heart and mind for a lifetime.

At three years old you love... the library, the playground, running, your new sandbox, your yellow nigh nigh and Hippo, vehicles of any kind, building train tracks, playing in the kitchen sink, reading in mama and daddy's bed, jumping on the bed, watching shows, listening to music, and going for walks.  You do not like coloring or crafting, getting dressed, going to bed, or going potty unless you really have to go!

Riggs, you are such a joy to our family.  Your blue eyes, big smile, and goofy giggle are just electric.  You are so much fun to be around, have a great sense of humor, and are just the right mix of sweet and spunky.  It makes us sad to see you becoming such a big boy, but we are so very grateful for the gift of your life and can't wait to continue watching you grow into a man.  Thank you, God, for the precious gift of our Riggins Thomas!

Love you, baby boy!
Momma