into three

We are now well into three. Squirt seems to be working her way over that big, birthday hump that seems to come every year. I have to say, so far, that the phrase should really be "terrible threes", rather than twos. It's been a pretty emotional, intense few weeks! Who knew such tiny people had such BIG opinions and feelings about the universe?! In all fairness, though, being a toddler must really suck. Everything is too big for you. You're not supposed to touch anything. Nobody understands you most of the time. You can't live off cookies and gummybears (two of Squirt's most favorite snacks/meals right now) - or at least nobody will let you. Your schedule is almost entirely dictated by other people, and you have very little say in the matter. Almost none of the really awesome, loud noises you figured out you can make are acceptable. You can't run around naked everywhere. Yo're expected to stop whatever awesome thing you're doing and use the frikin' toilet. You're not allowed to hit people who tick you off, rather, you're supposed to "use your words" - the very same words no one frikin' understands! So ok, ok. Obviously, there are reasons three is rough for everybody. But it's not all arsenic and venom. There are a lot of absolutely heart-melting moments that make me wish I could freeze time. Of course, I'm too exhausted and sleep-deprived to remember them all right now... So here are some snapshots of Squirt's adventures in three.

Birthday
We took Squirt to a "jumpy place" for her birthday (it's a facility filled with different jumpy houses - I'm really not sure what to call it). She was pretty apprehensive at first, but started having a blast once she figured things out. We gave her a big red wagon, which she now wants to take everywhere. Mostly, she just wants to pull it everywhere, but she'll sometimes actually *ride* in it.

Easter
We attended a now traditional potluck/egg hunt hosted by some dear friends. I tried to kill her early on (while carrying her across the park, I tripped and we both fell into the rocks! ouch!), but it, as always, was a blast. She seemed to have fun hunting for the eggs, though she was pretty slow about it...

 

At the zoo

Squirt asks to go to the zoo almost every week to see the "mam'imuls". I think the real reason she wants to go, though, is to feed the ducks - that seems to be her favorite thing to do there...

  

 

Her favorite mode of transport.

 

 

Out and about

 

Here we are checking out the new Railyard Market downtown.

 

 

Her first cotton candy.

 

... and hiking. Well... some of us. I'm so happy to have the mountains so close!

Hiking with my babies... Deuce is just over 20 weeks in this.

Keeping cool
Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), it's going to be a long summer! I remember constantly being too hot when Squirt was in the belly. And that was in the dead of winter during a record-breaking cold snap! I'm already looking forward to fall, for so many, many reasons! But we'll do what we can to enjoy the long summer days and stay cool.

 This pool used to be a lot bigger...

 

"Neked" is her favorite state of being.

Always such a cool kid.