Oh Alysa, where has the time gone? It was 3 years ago at this time (1:00 p.m.) that you took your first breath. You have been a constant surprise to us since the day you were conceived. You started by beating insurmountable odds, not only in your conception, but by fighting through an impending miscarriage. You continued to show your strength and personality through your kicks and dances in my belly. Your Sister had been shy in-utero, but not you. You made your presence known. I’ll never forget the look on your Daddy’s face when he saw your kicks from across the room. He just looked at me and said, “We’re really in for it.” And that we were, but in the best way possible.

You are our feisty, full of life little girl with an iron will and zest for life. You do not give up on anything you want to do. You have a huge desire for independence (except for when it comes to potty training) and are constantly telling us that you can do it yourself. You have just recently mastered the use of the computer mouse and the looks of pure joy and pride that show on your face are contagious. I can’t help but feel it too.

Everyone who is around you sees and comments to me on your spunk and perseverance. Your personality shines through to everyone. I know your determination will help you as you grow.

You are also one to make everyone laugh. You can be so silly and you even make us laugh when you’re not trying. There is just a way about you that is so adorable. You will sing at the top of your lungs or talk a mile a minute, which people can’t help but smile and laugh about. You are the only person I know that does not let Nanny get a word in edge-wise. And believe me, little one - that is no small accomplishment.

You are our little peanut. You have such a small frame and are so light for your age, but this just accentuates your personality. Your personality is anything but small and neither is your mind. You come up with things that still surprise us. You have a way of wrapping your mind around a concept and reacting accordingly. You will think and problem-solve beyond what at typical 3 year old might do. You never cease to amaze me.

Let’s not forget your temper and oh boy do you have one. You get that honestly at least. It definitely gives your Daddy and me a run for our money. You not only put your fire and determination into accomplishing tasks, but also into some defiance. You do not like being told what to do and you love to tell use what to do. One of your favorite things to do, that you’re not supposed to is play in the bathroom. You will sneak out of your room at rest or bedtime, or sneak upstairs at random times to play in the sink in the bathroom. You have been known to get the bathroom soaked with soap suds, water and sometimes tooth paste. When you do things like this you will try to reason your way out of it. You will tell us you had to brush your teeth or brush Baby’s teeth. There have been times that when you run from us when you’ve done something wrong (you run often), you will run into the bathroom and lock yourself in. You despise time outs and fight tooth and nail and always end up with a longer time out than you should have had. You have a thing for biting, and your favorite target is your Big Sister. But through all this you are adorable.

You are also so brave and this year told a ghoul on Halloween what to do with his candy bowl. Most kids your age would shy away from someone dressed in a scary costume, but not you. You saw him as someone who should restore order. You knew his bowl had been on the table and told him to put it back. You have a need for order. You can never go to bed unless your toys are put away. I think this is party from us instilling in you to clean your room before bed, but I also think it is part of your nature. You want things in their place.

On the other side of your feisty fire, you have a heart of gold. When Kayla was sick recently and she was thirsty, you went to Daddy and told him Kayla needed some juice. He poured her a cup and you brought it to her and said, “Feel better Kayla.” You love to ‘nuggle’ and be tickled (even if you are very particular and demanding about it). You are always telling me you love me and miss me when I am not at home. You warm up quickly to people who come over and when we are out, you will strike up a conversation with anyone (which always gets laughs and comments). You are loving and wake up with a sunny smile every morning, even when we have to wake you up. And even with your spunk and ability to “give as good as you get”, you are very sensitive. You don’t like being yelled out (surprising with your rebellious nature) and will crumple when we do. And I have seen your heart break and you crumple into tears when another child has been mean to you. But I have also seen you push back when you’ve been pushed. You are an amazing mixture.

You sleep walk and would never be able to sleep without Baby & Taggie. You love your naps but then like to stay up to 10, 11 or sometimes later at night. You love playing with your big sister and it still amazes me how much you are both on the same wave-length. You want to do everything she does including going to school, but excluding going on the potty. According to you, you even share her best friend, Emma. Your interests are so similar, yet you are so much your own person. You are still not a big one on TV. You love it, but will get bored with it fairly quickly. You love to do puzzles and are very good at them. You love to play games, read books and have them read to you. You love to play outside, ride your bike, swim and swing in the “baby swing”. You enjoy doing mazes and tracing letters. You are so fun to be with and I will miss you in September when you head off to school like your Big Sister!

You are such a special girl and I am so thankful every day that I have you in my life.