Kate in picture and words.

Not often can you capture the entirety of who a child is in one picture, but this comes close.



Kate is sitting on the small potty - which you cannot see through the sleeping beauty dress. But you can see her dearly loved pink boots. Speaking of boots, the treasured Dora and Boots backpack is nearby - all packed for a sleepover at Mimi's house. And hiding under the towel is pink Doggie, a friend for all times and occasions. He/She? - probably she due to the fact of being pink with pink bows - seldom leaves Kate's side. She talks to Doggie, Doggie goes potty when she goes potty, and of course Doggie sleeps next to her. Missing from this picture is the eyes-shut cheesy grin she gives when asked to smile - but it does contain her genuine smile which is very true to the joyful, happy - exuberant - kid that she is. The only thing that could complete this picture would be if she were holding a book - which she would have given her choice, but we were trying to leave to go to Mimi's so we were not having one of the potty times where we spend forever reading and then finally going potty.



I have been thinking as of late that Macy is the child I always thought I would have - she is just like me in so many ways. Most of the time I can understand where she is coming from and why she thinks the way she does (although turning 4 has been a little testing - but that's for another post). She is such a great kid and I love her dearly - even the parts that are frustrating (and just like her mother!)



Lucy is the child I prayed and prayed for - and thankfully God seems to have agreed - she is the child I needed to balance life. She has the most sweet and gentle spirit I have ever seen in a newborn. A very stark contrast to her sisters. She is so easy to enjoy and I can truly say I will miss her being an infant.



But Kate is the child I never knew I wanted. She is so much fun. Most of life is pure joy for her and thus should be filled with singing, dancing, kisses and hugs - in the appropriate princess attire. She simply brings a smile to whoever she sees - yesterday she waved and said good-bye to everyone on the way out of the store. Today she said goodbye to every single teacher at Macy's preschool. Just now she yelled from the couch where she was standing to look into the dining room, "Hi Mommy!" Followed by a big wave and then running over to give me a quick kiss on the leg. I find myself constantly asking her to use her indoor voice - but she really only has 2 volumes - off and loud. Although when asked she really tries to be quiet for at least the next few words out of her mouth. She loves her sisters with all her might - expressed to Macy by wanting to imitate her every move (which Macy does not always receive as loving), and to Lucy by lots of kisses and checking on "My Lucy-Lu" (of which Lucy is amazingly tolerant.) She loves to dance - in her room, in the kitchen, in the car, at Mimi's to the music of Mamma Mia (while singing along... she has her own off-Broadway version going on). I know that I will learn many things from her because she is so different from me.



She is in the sweet few moments of life between baby and little girl where she has flashes of both - both sides make me sad but mostly I wish she would stay this way for a little longer.