Not-So-Happy Birthday

Today Giggles turned 3! She has been so excited about it for the past few weeks and was looking forward to her big day. This afternoon, hubby and I went to her school to have a birthday party for her with her classmates. These school birthday parties are a big deal to the kids and they all rave about whose birthday party it was at school and what kind of cake they had, etc. So we were all expecting a fun time – we had the Minnie Mouse party stuff, the Dora and Boots cupcakes, the party hats, the goody bags – but we didn’t expect Giggles to burst into heaving sobs when everyone started singing “Happy Birthday.” The poor child was so upset and we have no idea why! Maybe it was because they had just finished naptime. Or maybe the excitement was just too much to bear. Or maybe having the spotlight on her freaked her out. Whatever the reason, she was distressed and wanted to go home. Hubby ended up letting her sit in the car for a little bit until she calmed down. She eventually came back inside and sat on my lap and had a cupcake. With her coat on. It was a sad sight.

I’m thinking she’s having a hard time with the idea of becoming a “big” girl. We’ve been using that term in trying to get her to stop sucking her thumb, etc. and lately she’s taken to saying “I don’t wanna be a big girl.” And so the Mommy Guilt invites itself over for coffee. Maybe she’s feeling like she had to “grow up” to fast because of L’il Buddy’s arrival? I have no idea. But I will be making extra sure to give her comfort that she is still my baby and always will be.

Even if we did waste $40 on party supplies.