Happy 3rd Birthday Leah!!!!

Leah turned 3 on Sunday, also the most beautiful day of the year so far. We celebrated with family, enjoying pizza, cake and lots of sunshine. The kids played outside all day long.

Our friend Troy was in town for the weekend. The kids especially loved having him come visit. They called him Uncle Troy and followed him around the entire time. Here's Leah with the Tinkerbell table we gave her. She's been taking it back and forth b/w the deck and dining room since Sunday, eating her meals and snacks with Carter. I tried to sit with her once and she told me "No, Mommy, that chair is for Carter!" Probably a good thing. They're not exactly built for adults.
After she got up from her nap on Sunday, she put on one of her summer dresses! I had gotten her a little tiara to wear for the party since it was her special day.

The kids played in the yard most of the party. Here's Kenny (Hayden's dad) pushing Kate and Leah on the swings.

I made her a Tinkerbell cake. She later put the candle in her room as a decoration and keeps pretending to blow it out.

One thing I love about the timing of Leah's birthday is that it's so close to spring. She was given a few adorable spring dresses and all the colors are bright and cheery, signifying the end of dreary winter!!
Jeremy's aunt and uncle gave her some dress up jewelry and a wand. She would not put the wand down and opened the rest of the presents with one hand.
Jeremy's sisters growing up all played with a doll rocker, built by Jeremy's dad. For Leah's birthday, they refinished it and gave it to her with a new doll. We'll pass it along to the next granddaughter too. Leah was so excited!! Here she is wrapping up the doll in her blanket.

On Monday, while I was on the computer, she took one of Elliot's diapers and put it on her doll. You can see the rocker behind her. It's really sharp!

Following Kristy's lead, I posted several of my favorite Leah pics from her 3 year journey thus far....Born with a full head of hair, we were so happy to hear the doctor announce, "It's a girl!!". I never realized how I'd feel having a daughter and always assumed I'd have boys, probably because I never had a sister. She's been such a blessing to Jeremy and I. She livens up our home and is tons of fun to be around.

She's Carter's little helper, sitting in his toolbox.

So silly, always looking for some fun.

Leah's first Halloween, a little ladybug.First ChristmasLeah loves hanging out with Daddy. Jeremy usually leaves before she gets up in the morning. Just in case though, each morning when she gets out of bed, she runs to the top of the stairs and yells, "Daddy, you down there?". If by chance he's still in the kitchen, she barrels down the stairs to say goodbye. Her hair was so long as a baby. 1 Year, after a haircut
18 months

We were re-doing our family room here, which is why the trim's all chipped up.

Fall 2007

Hiding in the bushes with Carter. She loves to play Hind-N-Seek.2nd Birthday

Since Leah was a baby, she's always sucked her fingers. We've tried to get her to give them up, but I won't be surprised if she never does. It's like part of her personality.

Leah's laugh is contageous. Here she is with big brother and Pop-Pop. She's always trying to be funny and joke around with Carter, trading giggles all day long.

Here she is just after Elliot was born, transitioning from little sister to big sister. She loves to get dirty. My mom saved a nightgown she had made for me when I was little and it fits Leah now. She loves blankets and stuffed animals. On this night recently, she had surrounded herself with her favorite snuggy blankets before falling asleep.

Happy Birthday Leah! We're crazy about you and love you so much. Thank you for making us laugh. You have a huge heart and a sweet little attitude. All that know you comment on your tremendous ability to communicate (she talks quite a bit!). You're so enthusiastic about life and have tons of energy. It's so fun to be around you and I can't wait to watch you tackle future adventures. Keep it up sweetheart!