My big 3 year old

Bridger is now 3 years old. I can't believe how much this little guy has grown in 3 years, but he is enormous.

*Loved the idea of turning 3, but after a week, he informed me that he was now 4. He'd been 3 long enough... it might have something to do with the fact that holding up 4 fingers is so much easier than 3.

*Loves to eat with measuring spoons. the 1/4 tsp is his favorite. I don't mind at all because he spills less when he's only shoveling in a 1/4 tsp at a time.

*Tries so hard not to suck his thumb. And tries to rationalize it when he does. "I'm just cleaning it Daddy. I'm just cleaning it!"

*He's very opinionated and enjoys arguing. He says no to everything at first, even if it's something he wants... then he'll change his mind once he realizes that he spoke too soon.

*LOVES his trains. I don't think Santa knew how good a present those trains were going to be, but we owe him big for that one. Bridger will stay entertained with trains for a very long time. For his birthday he got a roundhouse and a turntable for his trains and I don't know if he's touched another toy since.

*He's so independent. Wants to do everything on his own and doesn't want help until he asks.

*Loves broccoli, beans, carrots and spinach and will eat at least 2 apples and a banana daily. He goes through the produce like crazy.


*Produce he doesn't care for: watermelon and potatoes... go figure.

*Still lactose intolerant, but only with straight milk, he does fine with yogurt and ice-cream and cheese... but milk gives him a nasty rash.

*Wants to be a bear when he grows up. Yep, you read that right. I questioned him on it, and even gave him some great alternatives, but he turned me down. He wants to be a bear.

*Climbs everything. He climbed about 10 feet up into one of our trees the other day, I'll have to keep a closer watch on him.

*Still very much a blanket boy... he has his three favorites, his green blanket (from my mom) his house blanket (which was made by Kari for Porter and was stolen by Briggs) and his squares blanket (also made by Kari for Bridge)

*He loves the corners of his blankets... they are all getting worn down and several have holes through the corners cause it's the part he likes to hold on to the most.

*would drink root beer all day everyday if we let him.

*Requests me to sing Popeye the Sailor man every night as his lullaby...

*Climbs on the counters, no matter how often we tell him not to, or put him in time outs... he's always climbing up to grab another apple.

*Mostly potty-trained

*He gets mad if you call him a little boy cause he's not a little boy, he's a big boy.

*He was sucking his thumb the other day and when I caught him I said, Bridger don't eat your thumb. "No mom, we don't eat thumbs, we eat lunch!"

*He's really excited to go to preschool this year and constantly asks if anyone passing by us is his teacher.

*Can easily count to 20 and has for quite some time. Knows all the letters of the alphabet and their sounds (has known that for quite some time too.)

*Sings all the time... my favorite (and I suspect his as well) is Praise to the Man. Porter learned it for his Primary program this year and Bridger picked it up from Porter... which is why it's quite an entertaining song to hear. Porter's interpretation of the song reinterpreted and sang by Bridger. I wish all songs were sung that way.  Perhaps then we could all be "lingling with glods"

This kid is just so adorable. He gives the best hugs and the best kisses and I'm just so lucky to spend everyday with him. I just can't believe he's so big.

Happy Birthday Briggs!