It's official. Our baby girl is 3. Such a roller coaster of emotions. At this age, she couldn't get any funner; but, today I wish I could go back to the moment when my nurse handed her to me after her first bath at the hospital. Then I could live the last 3 years over again. I'll be honest - After having 4 babies in 7 yrs, it's a little hard to accept that there will be no more babies in our home. I.Love.Babies.
But we are so happy with our 2 girls and 2 boys and it's perfect for us. Quinny is the perfect ending. When I had her I knew this would be our last kid so I have really tried to take-in and enjoy as many moments as I can with her. I could go on and on about this little girl. I'm still in denial and I might cry if I keep thinking about it. Not only because she is growing up - but also because this is a giant milestone for me. I'm no longer a mother of toddlers and babies. The phase where you have 3 car seats, double strollers, a huge diaper bag packed with the whole house, and really defined biceps from carrying 2 children at once (infant car seat in one, 2 year old in the other).
Heaven knows there were some hard days during that phase. Exhausting. But I loved it. And I will miss it.
BUT, I am also loving this next phase we are transitioning into. The kid's homework, activities, and such keep us busy. Being the youngest child, Quin spends lots of time in the car, has learned to be patient, and is good at "going with the flow." There are times when indeed she is the "spoiled baby" of the family, getting so much attention and most things she wants. But with that, also comes the opposite. Because she is the 4th, I spend far less time making sure she looks all done up just right every day, I haven't taken video of her nearly as much as I did the 1st and 2nd, and I found myself completely unprepared for her 3rd birthday.
I had a little meltdown on her birthday, feeling guilty that I hadn't planned a big themed birthday party with her friends and family. I felt guilty I hadn't baked and decorated a fabulous cake. And I felt guilty I hadn't even bought her a present yet. This was not the case with the other 3 kids. I was feeling so insufficient.
I had intentions of doing all of these things, but it came down to these 2 things:
1) I need more time. Period. And unforeseen events occurred Friday that I couldn't control.
2) I finally realize that she is only 2 (well 3) and that she really doesn't care if she has a party, what kind of cake she has, and that she won't even remember!
But still. I care. I enjoy doing these things for my kids and I felt bad.
So we did the best we could scramble together at the last minute and it turned out just great.
Friday was a crazy day so in the evening we rushed out the door and drove up to Ogden (Sambo had a TNT comp. early the next morning in Roy so we decided to sleep at Grandma Cindy's). We let the kids choose where we ate dinner. They chose a Greek Restaurant. It tasted yummy, but I couldn't help myself from thinking, "It's Quinny's big day, and here we are at some random restaurant and she doesn't even have her hair done."
I know it's so dumb to even think those things.
Afterward we went to Toys R Us and let Quincy pick-out her present. She found a cute little 4-wheeler and a Zhu Zhu pet hamster named Nugget. Then we went to Grandma's where she was prepared with balloons and decorations! Aunt Heidi was there with a birthday treat ready! She made one of our faves, a "P'zookie" which is a huge doughy cookie with ice cream, caramel, and hot fudge. We stuck some candles in and Voila, we had a birthday cake!
I wrapped her presents, and it turned out to be a great party. Even Grandpa Tom who just had knee surgery enjoyed it.
The next day, after Sambo's competition, we took the kids to "Surf N Swim" in Layton for one last bit of birthday fun. That place was as fun as I remember from my childhood. The kids loved the huge waves and Quincy loved having her very own tube.
Things worked out great after all!
Here she is ready for church in her Hotch Potch cupcake skirt which is perfect for birthdays:
This is how she shows that she's 3. She has to hold her thumb and pointer finger together with her other hand :)
