Little One, You're 4! Slow Down!

Another big Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Sofi!  Have you noticed a pattern in these posts?  Something happened right around the beginning of March last year that made making regular posts a bit difficult.  What could it be?  Oh yes, your little brother, Cass, joined us, and what an addition he has been!  But I wanted to take some time out this morning to tell you a little about the last year, and also how it ended just before you drifted off the night of July 27.  So, right after your third birthday, you and I were looking at the construction of our neighbors' pool a few doors down, and you said to me, "Daddy, I wish we could have a pool some day, too."  And I said, "You do?  Well, maybe we can get one someday."  And then just a few days later, Mommy and I told you that I got a brand new job, and that we would be moving to Texas.  And guess what...we would be getting a pool!  I was awful scared about how you would like Texas, but sweetheart, you have been the most supportive and loving little girl I could ever imagine.  One night when I was feeling lonely for home, you must have sensed it because you came over to me and just said, "Daddy, I just want to say thank you for working so hard and getting us this beautiful new house and our pool."  I suspected at first that maybe Mommy planted those words in your mouth, but I soon realized that those were your words.  And the thought that a THREE year old had such recognition and context within which to make such a comment, well, I knew then and I know now that you are going to be a very wise and very compassionate and optimistic person that is going to be a fabulous addition to the world around you.  You have said so many wonderful things to Mommy and me over the last year, they make the whole world go 'round for us.  But enough of the sappy stuff, let's see what else you've experienced this last year.  I think one of the best things was Museum School.  Every Friday, Mommy would take you and Cass to the Museum of Science and Nature in Ft. Worth, and you got to learn about every little critter under the sun.  I just couldn't wait to come home on Fridays to see your art projects and hear all about why dinosaurs went "estinked" and what you dreamed to be in the future, from astronaut (remember "Sofia on the Moon!"?) to doctor to gymnast to ... DANCER.  And OH what a dancer you became this year!  I knew you were taking dancing lessons, but one day Mommy told me that you were going to put on a recital.  Well, Daddy is a boy, and I never had any sisters, so I didn't really know what that meant.  And so when I showed up for your recital, OH MY GOSH!!!!  There you were in hair and makeup in front of 1,000 people!  And when that "Over the Rainbow" started playing, well, Daddy cried more than a little bit.  This is no tall tale, you were by far the best dancer on the stage, and I particularly like how you helped out the other girls when they forgot their moves and their queues, especially when the words of the song didn't play like they were supposed to.  Well, I can see now that I could go on and on forever, but I think they're about to kick me out of this Starbucks because I'm crying too much and distracting the other customers.  Let me just say this: Sofi, this year there has been a tremendous amount of change in all of our lives, and you have handled it with grace beyond your years.  Every time I look at you, sweetie, I know that I am the luckiest person in the world.  You are the miracle of my life, and I'm so happy that you and Mommy and Cass have had a whole year together to go on adventures, to learn and grow together, and then to tell me all about it all when I get home. Now, about how your 3rd year ended on July 27: well, I heard some sniffles coming from our bedroom just before bed.  When I came in to see what was going on, I saw that you were crying a little bit, and so I asked you were talking about.  You looked at me and said "We were talking about that I would always remember when I was three." And I asked you if that made you sad, and you said, "yeah, because I'm going to be big."  And for the rest of the night you cried and said you wanted to always be little.  I can relate.  I think you and I have a bit of Peter Pan in us, sweetie, but just as I told you that night and again on your birthday, you're not "big" yet, you're just "bigger."  And know this: no matter how much bigger you get, you will always be my little girl.  I love you and I love you, and I can't wait to see what being 4 is all about!  (Here's a hint: SOCCER!)

Much Love

My Goodness! You're 3!

Sofi Sofi Sofi...Daddy here, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! (a little late). You have been looking forward to your third birthday for a long time now, knowing that with it comes so many new privileges. We threw you three parties for your third birthday: one with Nana and Papa, one with all your school friends (that's the one where we had a bounce house, and you bounced for so long in there that I thought you'd never come out), and one with all of your non-school friends, Grandpa Bob, Mary, Phyllis, Gracie and Lily. Three parties means triple the presents!

So, let's recap the year, shall we? I'd say the biggest thing that happened to you this year is, of course, becoming a Big Sister! Your brother, Cass, joined us on March 9th. What a wonderful sister you have been. I can see your love for him already, as you sometimes ask "Can we keep him forever?" I hope those sentiments last into your teenage years. Little Cass (although there's nothing little about him) is just getting ready to crawl, and soon after that he'll be walking and following you around wherever you go. He'll be your shadow, and it's up to you to show him the right path. I'll never forget bringing you to the hospital to meet him right after he was born. As I held the two of you in my arms for the first time, I was overwhelmed with love for you, for him, for Mommy, for our family. What a moment. What was once two, then three, is now four. The four Bayts. Quite a force to be reckoned with.

After Cass was born, you had to have a surgery, and it was NOT fun. But, I just could not believe how brave you were, and how remarkably you bounced back. You are so strong, Sofi. In every way. I think it's because you eat your vegetables; sometimes. I also think that after going through what you did this year, there's nothing you won't be able to handle in life.

Once that surgery was behind us, guess what, POTTY TRAINING TIME!!! You're doing a great job, even if there is an accident now and then. Keep washing your hands each time, and no, you can't put your hair in the toilet. Not now. Not ever. It's disgusting.

This summer at the pool, you have made tremendous progress floating, kicking, playing with your princesses, all the fun stuff. I'll bet by next summer, you'll be swimming under water while holding your breath.

Ok sweetie, I'm going to sign off now. I can't wait to see you at the end of every day, I'm so proud of you, and I love you to the moon and back. Daddy

I Suppose I'm Going To Have To Get Use To This

Fall Roadtrip To God's Country And Oliver Winery

October: the Best Month To Be A Parent, And A Kid