Three Year Old Bayley

Let me just take a moment to say that I am a little in awe at the fact that I am writing this ABC Birthday post for the third time! 

A is for... Attitude

You ooze individuality and self-confidence, and have a good dose of sass to go with it. You are funny, and charming, and so many other good things - and you know it!

B is for... Brave

Bayley the Brave. I don't know if it's that you don't see danger, or that you don't care, but you are fearless. You're a tough cookie too. You walked around almost a full day with a fractured collarbone before we realised something was wrong. You are an adventurer with an appetite for adrenaline, and because of it, I have enough concern for the both of us! In seriousness though, I hope that this courage stays with you your whole life, and that you will use it to stand up for the right thing. 

C is for... Clever Cloggs

Nothing gets past you. You are observant and attentive, and know far more about everyone else's business that you should. You remember the most unlikely things, and readily correct misinformation - even if the conversation does not involve you. Thanks to Zac and Sam, you really believe that you can read and do math.

D is for... Daddy

Your daddy is your hero, and you have had him wrapped around your finger since before you were born. He is fiercely protective over you, and regularly tells me how he dreads the thought of what your teenage years may be like. He always wants to make you happy - and you have learnt to use this to your advantage! At the end of the day though, you love him completely, and I'm so grateful for the bond you share. He is setting the standard of love for you - and it is high!

E is for... Ella

Ella is your BFF. You go to school together, and have been in the same class for two years. You are often found in close proximity to each other or doing activities together, and talk incessantly about each other at home. You often mention how miss Ella when you're apart, and lockdown was especially hard in this sense (thank the Lord for WhatsApp videos and voice notes). I could be wrong, but I think the best part about being back at school is being back with Ella.

F is for... Food

You can eat! I don't think I'm far off when I say you eat at least the same amount (if not more) that the boys do. You love healthy food, fast food, raw food, leftover food - all food! I won't lie: I'm feeling a little convicted to do more to ensure that you have good, healthy eating habits. I'm going to work on how to do this without killing the absolute joy food brings you.

G is for... Girlfriends

You have a posse of girls who you really love, and you already recognise the importance and value of having a group of girls who have your back. You are filled with encouragement for and from them, and look forward to time spent together, however few and far between those occasions may be. You were over the moon to have the girls around to share your birthday with you today.

H is for... Hair

When you were born, you had a decent head of hair. Somewhere soon after that your hair stopped growing, and for a long time you had this short front and sides, with longer bits growing behind. Finally, your hair has some shape (although it's still not that long for someone who has never had a haircut). You can now have ponytails, top knots, and even a plait. You have a specific teacher at school who takes hairdos to a next level, and you - almost daily - come home with an intricate creation on your head. It looks beautiful, but you best know that this is not something I can maintain for you.

I is for... Independence

It's hard to believe that you are (only) turning three. In some ways, you have been a big girl for a while already. You never used a bottle, you were mobile and vocal before you were one, and you have been out of diapers for almost a year already. You like to do things for yourself, be it tidying your room, getting dressed, or dishing food. Even with your arm in a sling, you didn't want a fuss or people helping you; you simply adapted to doing things with your left arm, and got on with it. 

J is for... Joy

Even as a baby, you hardly ever cried, and apart from the tears that accompany a tantrum (or the crocodile kind used for dramatic effect), you're pretty much still the same. You wake up happy, and go to bed happy. You are smiling at least 90% of the day, and have this full, hearty laugh that leaves you breathless as you throw your head back and squish your eyes into tiny slits. Your joy brings you freedom, and gives me hope.

K is for... Kind

You have a gift when it comes to speaking kind things to others, especially girls and women. Just the other day, while I was having a mild existential crisis in front of the mirror, you came up to me and said "Mama, we are beautiful, strong, smart, and kind". This is your mantra, and you live it. You are so quick to notice good things, and are generous with your compliments. You make any space better simply by being in it.

L is for... Learning

Much like both your brothers, you love learning. I have watched how you, full of pride, mimic Sam has he learns how to read, confidently sounding out "c-a-t is cat". And you love school. Allowing you to return to school, despite Covid and all, has been the best decision as you continue to thrive under the care and nurturing of your teachers. 

M is for... Mischief

You are a cheeky little monkey who is always up to something. You have turned being adventurous and being cute into a manipulative art that regularly saves you from timeout or certain death. 

N is for... Names

Choosing a name for you was an experience. We were particular about the selection, the meaning and the spelling. We did not ever expect to be calling you by your full name more often that not. You, Bayley Cate, are proof that the frequency which children are called by their full name is directly proportional to how often they get up to mischief. 

O is for... OCD

So maybe OCD is a little particular, but then so are you when it comes to having things a certain way. You become visibly distressed when things are not ordered the way they usually are / you would like them to be. For example: each morning, your pyjamas needs to be folded and packed away into your cupboard, and when you get home you have a specific place for your bag to go. I won't lie; I can relate to this, and I secretly rejoice that when you're a little older, you'll be able to keep everyone else in line so that I don't have to do it alone.

P is for... Peppa & George

You certainly enjoy your kids entertainment, and despite out best efforts to limit your screen time, you remain a huge Peppa Pig, Chip & Potato, and Rescue Riders fan. I do love how you sing the songs, and play with your Peppa and George dolls. Also, that slightly British accent you have sometimes is pretty darn cute.

Q is for... Queen

You may not have blue blood in your veins, but you certainly do rule the roost around here. You're the youngest and the smallest - with the fewest needs - but you have the boys (all three of them) at your beck and call. Fortunately though, you're good to them, and they love you. They really would do anything for you. You're a lucky girl.

R is for... Runway

I don't know where you get it, but you have some kind of inner schmodel that has broken out in full force this past year. You pose for pictures with one bent knee, and batt your eyelids with a pout on demand. Your life is a runway, and you, apparently, are the star. 

S is for... Social

You are, by far, my most social child. You are gregarious and charismatic, liberal with your affections, and   up to turning any event (or non-event) into a party. You live life fully. Your being alive is a celebration each day.

T is for... Triple Threat

In theatre terms a triple threat is someone who can act, dance, and sing. I don't know if there's any theatre coming up in your future, but you certainly do have a head start on these three things. You love imaginative games, dress up, and playing pretend. You also have the funniest little dance moves that you perform with confidence and enthusiasm. My favourite, though, is your sweet singing voice (the real one; not the one where you belt things out at 100db to get our attention).

U is for... Unstoppable

You are a force to be reckoned with. You know what you want, and how to get it, and you don't stand back. You are pioneering and larger than life, and I have no doubt that you will change the world somehow. I can't wait to see it.

V is for... Verbal Diarrhoea

Good grief, you can talk. Zac was pretty talkative as a toddler. Sam was the complete opposite. You, however, take the take. You wake up talking, and don't stop until you are in a deep sleep. Sometimes you even talk while you sleep. I am always fascinated by the topics you come up with, and the wide vocabulary you have developed seemingly out of nowhere. To be honest, I battle to remember a time when you couldn't talk...

W is for... Warrior

You may have your girly girl moments, but you are one hundred percent warrior as well. You are wonderfully wild - a fighter who is strong and steadfast. You wield both your sceptre and your sword with equal confidence and capability.

X is for... eXtra

In urban terms, extra refers to anything that is dramatic, excessive, or over the top - and you all these things. Between your big, expressive eyes, your loud, sassy mouth, and your gesticulations, you are theatrical to the point of comedy, and definitely get people's attention.

Y is for... Yogurt

This is a daily go-to for you. To be fair, your bothers quite enjoyed (still do) too, and your dad goes to bed with a bowl of yogurt almost daily, so maybe this is a family thing. You could basically eat this breakfast, lunch, or dinner without complaint.

Z is for... Zac & Sam

I always knew if I were to have a daughter after having Zac and Sam, they would be the most loved upon little sister the world. I was not wrong, and it seems the feeling is mutual. You speak of your big brothers with pride and admiration, and spare no expense in your affections for them. I often find you playing sport / games / make-believe with them, or hiding in their bed at night. You sure are blessed to have each other. 

This is the first third-birthday that we have had without a new baby too. I am torn between wanting to hold onto some baby, and wanting to get to know this big girl more. You are a treasure: my beautiful, smart, strong and kind, Bayley the Brave.

Happy birthday!