Dear Peanut,
Happy 3rd birthday!
Now, as usual, I could trip the light saptastic, wax poetic about how much I love you, and gush how, over the past three years, you've changed my life in ways that I never could have fathomed. I could tell you about the tears and joys you've brought to our lives. Or I could try to explain how the journey of fatherhood has been one of my life's most exciting adventures.
Instead, I think I'll just tell you how cool and weird and wonderful you are. THREE is such a fantastic age and when I look back at these times, these are a few of the things I'll want to remember about you now:
- You love dressing yourself in these awesomely bad ensembles. Denim shorts, yellow wellies, love beads, and Hello Kitty sunglasses. Polo shirt dress, combat boots, rainbow tights, and a Mets hat. Seriously, you're like the illegitimate love child of Betsy Johnson and Helen Keller. If you ever become an avant-garde fashion designer, we'll know where it all started.
- Almost every day, you come up to us and ask, "are you happy, guys?" It's ridiculously cute. You're like the tiniest little Jungian therapist in Manhattan.
- Since the only television you're allowed to watch are old musicals, you're prone to break out into show tunes at any given moment. You can't count past 10 but somehow you know every single word of "So Long, Farewell" Last night, you stood on your chair at the restaurant and started singing "The Sun Will Come Out TOMORROW!" Sometimes, I feel like we're living with Bette Midler or Ethel Merman.
- Like your mother, you absolutely hate eating fruits or vegetables. If you ever get scurvy, I'm totally blaming your mom.
- However, if you ever start going around and farting in people's faces, I'll accept full responsibility. I've been doing this to you since you were a baby and we both still think it's the absolute funniest thing in the known universe.
- You are definitely my mother's granddaughter in the sense that you are unfailingly polite. I'm not saying you're an angel but you are definitely the best-mannered little kid I've ever seen. For the most part, you're pretty good at saying "please" and "thank you." When we go to a restaurant, one of the first things you do is fold the napkin on your lap. And you always say, "Bless you" whenever someone sneezes. Sadly, I know a lot of adults who don't do any of those things. Keep it up, kiddo.
- Lately, you've been picking up on all the little catchphrases that mommy and I unconsciously say in daily conversation. It's freaking hysterical when you come up to us and say things like: "You kids ready yet?"; "I'm going to the office. Bye!"; and our all-time favorite, "You guys want to hear something CRAZY?"
- Every morning, you climb into bed with us after you wake up. With your mother, you lovingly curl up beside her to snuggle. Often, you'll brush her hair gently or kiss her softly on the cheek. But me, you haze like a fraternity pledge. You jam your fingers up my nose, shine the book light in my face, and pry my eyelids open with your fingers. Last week, I woke up completely covered in moisturizer because you wanted to "put medicine on my boo boo."
- One of your favorite new activities is riding on the back of my bicycle as we take long weekend rides up the Hudson River. The whole time we're riding, you'll be chattering in my ear non-stop. I love these precious moments and often wish I could capture them in a bottle.
- You've just recently made the transition out of diapers and you couldn't be prouder. In fact, you're so proud that whenever you see our friends, you immediately pull down your shorts or lift your dress up, and yell, "Look at my big girl underwear, everyone!" It's awkwardly hilarious. Let's hope it ends soon.
- Already, at age three, you're a true New York foodie. Last week, you grabbed the newspaper, pretended it was a take-out menu, and said, "Daddy, what do you want to order?" Whenever the intercom buzzes, you automatically yell, "Dinner's ready!" And you've got an incredibly adventurous palate for a toddler. You've roamed many of the great ethnic restaurants here, stuffing your little belly with pho ga, tikka masala, agedashi tofu, and chicken tagine along the entire way.
Peanut...this is just a small sample of all the things that make THREE the best age in the world. You're an incredibly warm and caring little girl. It sounds so patently absurd to say that I'm so proud of who and what you've become in your first three years on this planet. But it's true. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you.
Happy 3rd birthday, little girl!
Love always,
Daddy
Clap your hands and say yeah if you're THREE!
Happy birthday, my twirling, singing, often screeching, joy of joys. Muah! Mama
Posted by: BossLady | October 07, 2007 at 09:43 PM
Awww, happy happy birthday Peanut!
Posted by: hello insomnia | October 07, 2007 at 09:44 PM
Every time I see a photo of the Peanut, I want to have a baby! I guess I should find a mate first, right? Happy 3rd birthday, Peanut!
Posted by: Jennifer K | October 07, 2007 at 09:48 PM
Happy birthday!! And congratulations Mr. & Mrs. MD on three years of joyful parenting.
Posted by: vickie | October 07, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Henry Miller once wrote: "Lucky the father who learns to see again through the eyes of his children, even though he becomes the biggest fool that ever was!"
You are indeed a lucky man.
Happy Birthday, Peanut!
Posted by: Jenny | October 07, 2007 at 09:55 PM
Happy Birthday, Peanut.
Your daddy's stories about you make me wish I would have had at least one girl.
Hope you tore the house down (or at least set the roof on fire!!),
Posted by: LeeMarvin | October 07, 2007 at 09:56 PM
Happy #3 to the Peanut! You are one awesome kid!
And happy "birth"day to MD and BL, too. What a wonderful letter (brought tears to my eyes!)...I do the same kind of letter each year to my DD (who just turned 5 last Friday!).
Hugs all around!
Posted by: Nomadic One | October 07, 2007 at 09:58 PM
Three is a fun age. They're old enough to have funny conversations with you all the time. Trust me. It gets even better! Happy bday, Peanut.
Posted by: Lena | October 07, 2007 at 10:31 PM
You forgot to mention how BEAUTIFUL she is at three. You KNOW she'll want to know this when she's 16... and 26... and 56.
Carol
Posted by: Carol Snider | October 07, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Swee'Pea and TheMonk say "Happy Birthday" but yelled at me to stop singing when I started up.
TheMonk also mumbled something that sounded like "hubba, hubba" when he saw the photo of Peanut.
Posted by: Matthew | October 07, 2007 at 11:22 PM
AH! She is the prettiest little girl!
Posted by: Smiling Mom | October 07, 2007 at 11:40 PM
Happy Birthday to the Peanut.
Awesome post Dad. She is so cute!
Posted by: Chris | October 07, 2007 at 11:41 PM
AWWWWWWWWW!
Must...Not...Cry....
Congratulations on three peanut! The world, no matter what the news tries to tell you, really is a wonderful place open for exploration. May you always find joy and grace in it as you do now.
Posted by: | October 07, 2007 at 11:58 PM
Happy Birthday to the Peanut. Three rocks.
Posted by: Rachel | October 07, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Dude, the Peanut is the awesomest, as you so clearly know. And you are the awesomest dad for seeing and celebrating all those parts of the Peanut that make her so awesome.
Happy Birthday, Peanut! And here's to many happy returns of the day!
Posted by: Papa Bradstein | October 08, 2007 at 12:48 AM
Happy Birthday Peanut. You are one lucky girl with two very lucky parents. And hey - you've brought sunshine into our lives across continents.... Thank you!
Posted by: the mad momma | October 08, 2007 at 01:04 AM
Happy 3rd, Master P. She's beautiful, MD!
Posted by: Lois Lane | October 08, 2007 at 03:58 AM
Happy Birthday Peanuts!!! Dont know why , but your birthday seems to hve put a grin on my face, like my son's birthday did...I think, thts ur fathers doing...have a great life..well, just carry on with wht u r doing, u seem to hve system already in place...
Posted by: tys | October 08, 2007 at 06:43 AM
Holy crap! Three already?! Where has the time gone? Didn't you just post a Happy 2nd Birthday last week?
Happy Birthday, Peanut!
Posted by: mr. big dubya | October 08, 2007 at 07:08 AM
Happy Birthday Peanut! Is that a big bag of Smart Food in front of her? Love this kid!
Posted by: halfmama | October 08, 2007 at 09:22 AM
Polite, funny, AND beautiful? Can I please set Peanut up with my favorite nephew? They'd be adorable together.
Posted by: Jalae | October 08, 2007 at 09:26 AM
happt birthday little woman! happy "birth" day to MD and boss lady . . . it only gets BETTER from here (if you can believe that!)
Posted by: Angie in Texas | October 08, 2007 at 09:36 AM
I know everyone says this- but I can't believe she's gotten so big!
Best to you all!
Posted by: Anne Glamore | October 08, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Happy bday Peanut! The Pumpkin wishes she could party with ya!
Posted by: daddy in a strange land | October 08, 2007 at 09:53 AM
I love hearing your stories about the Peanut. Posts like this just make me adore her even more. Happy birthday, Peanut and happy anniversary to giving birth, BossLady!
Posted by: Jamie E. | October 08, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Gotta love the bullet points of hilarity. Happy birthday!
Posted by: Holmes | October 08, 2007 at 10:27 AM
Three years old and she still has her limbs! How have you not eaten this child yet? Mmmmm, Peanut. Happy Birthday little one! And kudos to the parental units for reproducing most effectively;)
Can The Peanut expect siblings, or, do you have reservations about tempting the Gods a second time?
Posted by: Danielle | October 08, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Happy birthday Peanut!
Posted by: metro mama | October 08, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Whenever I see photos of the Peanut, my utuerus starts screaming. She's sooooo beautiful. Hope she had a great birthday. Congrats to you, MD and BossLady. You done good!
Posted by: hope | October 08, 2007 at 11:19 AM
oh happy birthday!!
new york kids are so amazing. she's wonderful.
Posted by: momomax | October 08, 2007 at 11:36 AM
Happy Birthday to a beautiful little girl (both inside and out)!
And dude, they make combat boots for 3 year olds?
Posted by: honglien123 | October 08, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Why can a three year old do all of that and be labeled adorable but me doing it at thirty-four would get me committed? Like yesterday when I pulled up my skirt and announced I was wearing big girl panties... never mind.
Happy Birthday, Peanut!
Posted by: Paige Jennifer | October 08, 2007 at 11:48 AM
You've got to love the bizarre clothes. My two-year-old daughter and I strive to create the most clash in any outfit.
What a great post/column. Happy Birthday.
Posted by: WorkingDad | October 08, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Love it! My 19 month old now says "eat" whenever the buzzer goes. I'm escaird.
Posted by: Jabber | October 08, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Happy birthday, kiddo! I'll smuggle some old Star Trek into your DVD player so dad can stop punishing you with musicals...
Posted by: croutonboy | October 08, 2007 at 01:10 PM
i'm pretty sure i saw you, bosslady and peanut this weekend in downtown tribeca. what a beautiful family. i see where the peanut gets her looks from.
Posted by: jennifer hull | October 08, 2007 at 01:49 PM
Three is such a wonderful age. Happy birthday, Peanut!
Posted by: Lisa C | October 08, 2007 at 02:51 PM
the happiest of birthdays to you all- enjoy!!
Posted by: pnuts mama | October 08, 2007 at 03:01 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut from Austin Texas. Your dad is so damn hilarious. I love the mental pic I get of you two riding along the Hudson. beautiful.
Here's to 3 DUDE!
Hip "hop" hooray!
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon Best | October 08, 2007 at 04:08 PM
Happy Birthday, kid, just try to not break wind in other people's faces during adulthood, alright? ;)
Posted by: Jenny | October 08, 2007 at 04:30 PM
she sounds like a fantastic little person already. happy birthday peanut!
Posted by: talda | October 08, 2007 at 06:05 PM
Happy third birthday!
Posted by: enygma | October 08, 2007 at 06:08 PM
My daughter just turned 3 last week. Fun times! Happy birthday, Peanut!
Posted by: alib | October 08, 2007 at 06:26 PM
Inspiring post. I really need to write one to my 3-yr-old to remind me what's weird and wonderful about him. He's a piece of work much of the time, and a post like this would help me remember what's good about him. I'd start with the huge Cheshire Cat grin he gets when proud of himself--not shy or demure in the least, but a "Yeah, I'm the baddest kid ever to buckle his own seat belt, yo!" kind of look.
Really well written-you found a way to say all the cliche'd things without using a single cliche. Bravo, cocky pop!
Posted by: Joe | October 08, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut!
Three is quite the accomplishment--congrats to everyone!
Posted by: samantha Jo Campen | October 08, 2007 at 08:01 PM
HEY! Awesome birthday, Peanut. You and me are going out for some cake.
Posted by: KC | October 08, 2007 at 10:23 PM
Little Mary Sunshine and Chang & Eng send their best!
You're gonna love 3.
Posted by: JJ Daddy-O's Baby Momma | October 08, 2007 at 10:28 PM
She is beautiful! Congrats to you and the boss lady on raising a confident, intelligent, and gorgeous person.
Posted by: Pamela | October 08, 2007 at 10:55 PM
Happy birthday, Peanut!
She's beautiful too. And I love the showtunes thing.
Posted by: Darren | October 09, 2007 at 12:27 AM
Happy Birthday to the Peanut. She sounds like a hoot.
My niece does the showing of the panties. "Look it, I have panties." Like the rest of us don't or something. Three is a fun age.
Posted by: Phoenix | October 09, 2007 at 12:49 AM