I'm Happy!

**Disclaimer: I love all of my children equally...most days.

I don't normally like to binge on posts but I thought I would get this little one in before the blogging drought that will be upon me in weeks to come. This is a blogger tribute to little Miss Mia, third born, third daughter, child wonder. All strange transitional coping mechanisms of the past 6 months aside, this is one sweet girl. She is funny and silly. She is a good sleeper (again, the last 5 or 6 months don't count, even though that makes up a fifth of her life...) She is easy going and smart. She started talking way earlier than my first two and it's fun that we can actually carry on a coherent conversation with her at 2 and 1/2. I firmly believe that she would be solidly potty trained if I weren't avoiding the commitment of it at this particular point in time. She goes at least once or twice a day in the potty sometimes (I wish her mother weren't so lazy...oh wait, thats me.)

She often likes to announce at random times I'm happy! and flashes a great big "moose grin". She calls it a moose smile because I somehow convinced her that the "scary moose" in our room (its a tiny little figurine on a shelf) had a smile like that. She does it all the time and I haven't been able to capture it on film until this weekend. It makes us laugh every time. (That's her "moose smile" on the right there.)

My favorite Mia word is "prouded". It is her combination of excited and proud. Example, "I so prouded you...you prouded me?" all said with great enthusiasm and raised eyebrows. She will also randomly say things like "oh Abby, that was so nice you" and never misses an opportunity to say "thanks Mom" for pouring her juice or putting her shoes on. Last night my Mom told Mia that she needed to go put me to bed. She said "OK" (again, enthusiastically) and walked over to me but then turned to Mo and said with a seriously confused expression on her face, "Can't pick her up."

She asks 18.4 times a day to watch either Finding Nemo (where she will remind us with her silly giggle that "Nemo go down toe-let to find Daddy") or Fantasia 2000.

She loves to dance and play and read. She sleeps with so many stuffed animals sometimes I take them out after she falls asleep for fear that she is going to suffocate in the night. She loves her polka dot shoes. She notices your jewelry.

We so love having her in our family. She reminds us on a regular basis to be happy and easy going. Her sisters love her and include her in their play because they recognize what a joy she is to be around. Oh yeah, and she gives really good, tight hugs around your neck. And I gotta love her, she's the only "momma's girl" of the bunch.