Riley | 3 Years Old

Dear Riley,

My sweet, sweet boy. How is it even possible that i’m already writing this letter to you? We celebrated your 3rd birthday on Friday……3…… WOW, we’re officially in ‘preschool’ territory. Days, weeks, months and years seem to have passed us by in a flash and i am frantically searching for a pause button. Watching you grow and mature is bittersweet, while i love the intelligent, funny and independent little person you are becoming i’m not quite ready to say goodbye to my baby yet. I don’t think i ever fully will be, a part of me just wants to keep you small and close by forever.

This past year in particular has seen the biggest changes in you, both physically and mentally. You learnt to stand, walk and run a few months after your second birthday which quite frankly was nothing short of a miracle and something i never thought would happen, but it did happen, you did it Riley, YOU! This year has also seen a language explosion for you. You talk all of the time and say the funniest of things. I think you’re still a little behind with vocabulary for your age, but that’s to be expected and i’m not worried at all. I know you’ll catch up at your own pace and you’re coming out with new words and phrases every day. This mental development has also made you very perceptive and can usually tell someone’s mood just by looking at them.

You are kind and caring and generous and always try to cheer people up when they are sad. You are also so friendly and have such an innocence about you. We’ve had to have a lot of talks recently about strangers because you honestly believe that every person in the world is your friend, which is adorable and i love you for it, but there are dangers out there you are yet to know about and for now, while your mind is so pure and unpolluted, it’s my job to keep you safe.

You’ve also developed quite the stubborn streak and are fiercely independent, can’t for the life of me think where you get that from but you are a typical hot-headed and strong willed male. You know your own mind and what you want and all hell breaks loose when you don’t get it. You hate when things aren’t going your way and know how to throw down a proper temper tantrum. For that reason we’ve had to introduce the ‘naughty step’, AKA the bottom step of the stairs which seems to be working because when you acknowledge that you’ve done something wrong, you actually take yourself over to the step without prompting. You sit there for a few minutes and then come over to apologise to mummy. I’m proud of the fact that you are learning the difference between right and wrong Riley.

One thing that needs special mention is your role as ‘big brother’, a role that you’ve taken completely in your stride and one that you take very seriously. You really are the most wonderful big brother and i often sit in awe of the two of you playing together and being so affectionate with one another. You are a protector and don’t like to see Harry hurt or upset, you always try to console him when he’s crying, give him food when he’s hungry and share your things with him when he wants something of yours to play with. Sure there’s the odd moment of ‘clashing’ personalities and times when he destructs your games and annoys you but for the most part you are both very loving and inseparable. One thing i know for sure is that you are both as thick as thieves, i can see i’m going to have trouble with you two for years to come because you are such a cheeky and mischievous pair.

You really are such a character Riley, such a funny, hilarious boy. I feel blessed to have such a special little person in my life that makes me laugh every single day. Honestly, you do and say the funniest of things these days and don’t miss a trick.You love to eat. Anything and everything. Particularly fruit and vegetables, you would rather have fruit all day than anything else. You usually eat more than i do at every meal and are constantly growing. Of course, you’re still small and underweight for your age but it’s steadily improving.

THIS YEAR’S DEVELOPMENTS AND MILESTONES:

• You learnt to stand, walk, run and jump.
• You learnt to talk and now have an ever-growing growing vocabulary. Stringing more and more sentences together.
• You were discharged from the neonatal team, physio, developmental specialists, audio and ophthalmology. After 3 years we finally have NO MORE APPOINTMENTS.
• You can brush your own teeth and hair.
• You can get yourself dressed and undressed.
• You can drink from a ‘big boy’ cup.
• You can read books. When i say ‘read’ obviously you completely make up a story using the pictures but it’s wonderful hearing how your mind and imagination works.
• You can count to 15.
• You know all of your shapes and colours.
• You believe in superheroes. You also believe that you are a superhero and can fly.
• You refuse to call Harry anything other than ‘Cheeky Boy’.
• Tia is still your absolute best friend in the world. You too simply adore each other and it’s so sweet to see.
• We moved in to our ‘forever’ home and now live next door to nanny which is brilliant for you and Harry. You love being able to see her every day, as do i.
• Favourite Foods: Bananas, apples, grapes, strawberries, carrots, peas, chicken, cucumber, ham and cheese.
• Favourite Meal: Spaghetti Bolognaise
• Favourite TV Shows: Paw Patrol, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Something Special, Boj, Bing and Peppa Pig.
• Favourite Animal: Panda
• Favourite Things: ipad, diggers, tractors, cars, trucks, farm playset, building blocks, puzzles, shape sorters, electric quad bike, slide.
• Favourite Book: Don’t Stick Your Finger In The Jelly Nelly

I’m sure there’s more but that’s all i can think of right now. One thing we are yet to crack is potty training, but you have accomplished and achieved so so much though and i really couldn’t be prouder of you. I know i say that all the time but it’s true. Despite all the struggles and obstacles life has thrown your way, you’ve never once given up. You are the most resilient, strong-willed, tenacious and determined little person i have ever come across and i think it’s these traits that have got you to where we are today.

You are so so loved sweet boy and surrounded by friends and family who absolutely adore and cherish you. You are precious Riley and i am so blessed to be your mama.

As ever, stay happy, stay healthy and stay safe.

love from mummy xxx

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