Five Years

Dear Chloe,

Today you’re five years old. This was your first full year in Arizona, and it’s been filled with personal progressions and adventures.

This year we discovered your love for horses, both riding and collecting. We live about a mile from a riding corral, and you love their sweet and gentle horses. You and your sister are often out doing lead-arounds over the weekend with your dad, and you had your birthday party this morning at the corral as well. It’s nice to see you so passionate about a new hobby.

Your other love is the water. You’re our little mermaid. You’re still quite timid on land, but when you’re in the water you’re a different person. We have an aquatic center in town, and you can go down the waterslides all afternoon.

Potty training was very hard for both of us. Unfortunately since you were my first baby, I think it became more frustrating than necessary. When you were barely two, you told me you weren’t going to wear a diaper to bed anymore. This made me nervous, but you never looked back. I felt like full-time potty use was right around the corner, but that’s not how it happened. You’ve always been a daddy’s girl, and having him come and go with the military has been hard on you. I now understand that there was a deep connection between your unrest and the potty. Life still isn’t always easy for you; your daddy is often away. But since his trips are usually just one to four weeks now, you’re handling the transitions much better. Shortly after your 4th birthday, you were potty trained full-time. It’s given you a new sense of confidence, and it’s been a relief for everyone.

In May, you became a big sister again. Your brother Cruz Paul was born on the 13th. You’ve taken on having another younger sibling like a champ. You’re good at sharing with him and letting him chase after you. He’s in love with both you and Calista.

Since we’re away from family, we spent Thanksgiving in Northern Arizona. You enjoyed visiting the Grand Canyon, Bearizona, Polar Express, Navajo Nation, and the Four Corners Monument.  After we retuned, you and your sister kept asking to go back to the hotel. You had such a wonderful time.

We’ve had some visitors this year. Cousin Carlea and Grandpa Bob and Grandma Sandy came down and both Grandma and Papa Sundin and our family friend April came down twice. It was fun to have company.

You’ve made many improvements this year with socializing and school aptitudes. It’s still difficult for you to keep up on milestones or show an interest in many skills though. It’s been hard for me to figure out why. We’ve met with a few specialists, and I want to learn more so I can be a better educator for you. You’re often in your head and have a hard time doing things that aren’t within your specific interests. Some of the doctors feel this is because of the hearing loss you experienced at the age of two. Just in case it’s something more, I’ve continued to take you to doctor’s appointments. You’re a lovely person, and Daddy and I want you to feel more comfortable letting that little person shine.

These last five years have been a nonstop adventure. I can’t wait to see where the next year will take you. You’ll always be the sweet baby who made me a mom; I love you.

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new,” Rajneesh.

Love Always,

Mommy