This feisty and fierce little princess just celebrated her 3rd birthday! Can’t bee-lieve it!
So weird to close on this season already. Feels like the holiday marathon just commenced, and just like that, here we are at Nova’s 3rd birthday. I honestly can’t say what’s more shocking: that this particularly season flew by so quickly. That we maintained a relatively decent attitude throughout it. Or that Nova is ONLY three years old.
She’s a January birthday and Orson’s is early December. It hadn’t occurred to me until this Christmas, watching her joyfully pillage her overstuffed stocking, that this was only her 2nd Christmas! Compared to Orson’s four.
I’d recognize facts like that more frequently the closer we got to her 3rd birthday. In awe, I’d point out, “Can you believe she’s still ONLY two?”
There’s something to be said for scaffolding. Having an older sibling can give you a slight developmental edge sometimes. But this girl? She really takes everything and sprints away with it, usually shrieking like a feral banshee. In truth, she’s a fierce leader, and I’m prouder every day that I get to watch her grow.
Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner
Just try. Parenting Nova is a whirlwind. One moment, she’s a stormy raincloud. Either banging on her bedroom door during an attempt at “quiet time” or yelling “Papa! I want to bang on the door!” when she’s too comfy in bed to follow through. It’s the thought that counts…
She fights most “no’s” she’s given. If she’s trying to disobey, she tells us to “look away”. She still doesn’t sleep half of the time. The kicking, shoving, and blood-curdling shrieks get old so fast.
But then, the radiant lining of silver that she brings shortly thereafter, with a radiant, prismatic rainbow bursting color throughout our days.
Man, I am so in love with my daughter.
Cuddle time, which she strategically and tactically uses at bedtime, turns into a giggly hostage situation. She wraps her arms around my neck so tight. If she were any stronger, it’d be a full-on sleeper-hold. We squeeze the bunnies out of her restless legs, and then she scrunches up her pixie nose when she puckers for a reluctant kiss.
Nova wants to show EVERYTHING to Papa. All day. Whenever he’s supposed to be working. Bang, bang! Aggressive knocking on the office door. “Papa, I talkin’ to you!” She’s persistent. Persuasive. Hilarious. Assertive. And she is remarkable.
And now, she’s three years old.
This is Three.
Between our Irish twins, we’re about 93% potty-trained now.
Barring the occasional accident, which generally devastates her, she practically trained herself overnight. One of the last, most recent misses where she didn’t get to the potty in time, she confidently assured us that she doesn’t pee-pee on herself. “Orson does that.”
She also keeps Orson in line. “Hey, Orson, I told you….” Girl, I get it. Repeating yourself when someone won’t listen is exasperating. A little hint-hint, dollface. Tot calling kettle black, much?
I knew my kids would be different. Each possessing very different interests, characteristics, and personalities. But, shit, it’s kind of intimidating. And by “kind of”, I mean indubitably.
Orson and Nova couldn’t be more different. There are some ways in which his OCD complicates parenting, but he also is more apt to follow rules, boundaries, and expectations. Nova, on the other hand? Pure, chaotic abandon and reckless, fiery, feminine energy. She is a bold and brazen princess on all accounts.
That powerful energy has only become more apparent since her 3rd birthday. Rest assured, we still consistently uphold boundaries and expectations for her as well, but she’s ALL Missy Mustang with her tenacious spirit. Absolutely incredible if we can rise to the occasion and help her constructively channel that tenacity and drive.
But wouldn’t it be easier if they were the same? Maybe, but a lot less interesting and fun. And Nova’s example helps her big brother develop courage and boldness. They are so good for each other and balance out so well. Generally. When they aren’t fighting.
Nova Mira’s 3rd Birthday
What theme could have better represented my baby girl? She’s a queen bee. Sweet as honey, but she can definitely sting (e.g. accidentally popping Papa in the eye the same month he had LASIK. Whoopsie.).
Her party was classy, gorgeous, elegant, and as bold and bright as she is. Nathan even got her a first bouquet of flowers for the occasion. And everything looked stunning.
I made her an 8-layer Russian honey cake and honey marshmallow cereal treats, all from scratch. Displayed another festive and whimsical balloon garland. We saved presents for after the party guests left this time, and I cannot recommend that more.
Her party was low-key, all of the kids had a great time playing together, and we had A Real Bug’s Life streaming on Disney+ to stay on theme. Which sucked most of us in, kids and adults alike. It was probably one of the most enjoyable parties we’ve hosted for just how low stress it really was.
And the following day, her actual 3rd birthday, we celebrated with 3rd birthday waffles at Magnolia Pancake Haus, more presents, and a special 3rd birthday dinner. I make her absolute favorite food: Chardonnay risotto. My girl has a refined palate, and she knows what she likes. And is very opinionated about what she doesn’t.
It was a wonderful weekend celebrating one of my favorite people on this planet. Playing with all of her new teeny-tiny, itty-bitty presents (she is obsessed with Barbie Mini Land toys and Disney Animator’s Collection Minis). Enjoying her favorite things. Favorite foods. ALLOWING her to call the shots… As though we had much choice.
Celebrating her 3rd birthday and everything that makes her the special, incredible, exuberant, passionate, joyful, and LOUD little princess that she is.
Happy 3rd birthday, my precious Nova Mira! We adore you!