When I think back to this day I remember waking up not feeling at all rested and it was snowing. On this day 4 years later, I woke to the same restless night and snowing. I couldn’t believe that you were going to be born on this day and still cannot believe it. But here you are and well our lives have never been the same.
You are a constant bundle of laughter. Your personality shines through with everything that you do. You are terribly bright and can say things with a straight face. I knew you were going to be a tough guy when you fought your way through the ICU. You think you are very tough that you pick fights with your brother and wrestle with him even though he is 15 months older and at least 1 inch taller.
You have many toys that you love. Right now you are very much into any characters from the movie, Cars. I think Mater is your favorite but you do sometimes prefer Lightening McQueen. You’re all time favorite car is the Mustang. You can spot a real one miles away and even the older models. We took you to a car show and you loved every minute. Your grandparents bought you a toy mustang to play with you took it to bed with you every evening until…well you got some new toys for your birthday and the mustang was set aside. But you do play with it as well.
Your 4th birthday photo shoot couldn’t have gone any better. You smiled when she told you to smile and you were of course yourself. The snickering shots of you are how you are on a daily basis…quite devilish. Your shirt was especially created for you because you love monster trucks. Your favorite video is Monster Truck Mater and one of the characters is the green cement truck you are playing with in the photos. I bought that for you moments before your shoot so that you would be happy and that you would have something to play with during the shoot.
You can be the sweetest and kindness little boy when you want to or sometimes when you aren’t trying. You love for us to snuggle with you at night. You must sleep with your froggy blanket and any toy of choice for the night.
I saw an instant change in you right before you turned 4. Your words and speech were more thought out. We can understand you a lot better. You don’t whine as much as you used to but honestly hope you will grow out of that phase. You generally whine/cry when you don’t get your way or you can’t express yourself. When you are hungry or very tired you lose all control and we sometimes have to hold you until you calm down. But most of the time we give you to the count of three to calm down.
You love to sit in my lap when we are reading a story. Something that you and I have always enjoyed. You are also very interested in what I’m cooking and especially baking. You love to be right next to me hoping to lick the beater or bowl. You definitely have a sweet tooth. You prefer yogurt and orange juice compared to Braedon who likes milk.
You really enjoy nature and the outdoors. We have some cardinals who visit us and I told you that they were your cardinal. When they chirp, I say that it’s your cardinal calling you. It says good morning or where have you been. When we are out in the neighborhood you can hear it calling you and you turn to me and say, “That’s my cardinal.”
There are times when you can be quite naughty or mischievous. I am unable to plant anything because you have torn them up over and over again. You have dumped over the cat litter box and rolled your trucks through it saying look at me I’m driving over the mountains. You like to go in the refrigerator yourself and get out the gallon of OJ or milk and bringing it across the living room to ask for some. You’ve written on the wall saying they were mountains. You like to make messes with food dumping things or making lots of crumbs. You like to go outside and pee—not just on the tree but wherever you see fit (and no matter how hot or cold it is). When we ask you why you do the things you do…..your answer—Because I did.
You are a leader at times and a follower at other times. But when there is something you just don’t want to do…..you just won’t do it. There are times when you and your brother get along amazingly and times when you have knock out drag out fights. You are becoming more independent as the days progress. Deep down I believe that you are the best of buds.
You love your baby sister but sometimes she gets in your way or you think she’ll get in your way and you do something to her. You either push her or take things away. But you are also very protective of her as well. You look out for her well-being and you include her in some of the things you play.
Overall you are a very unique child and we are so happy to have you in our life. We were terribly sad when you were born that we weren’t sure if you were going to make it. After 24 hours, I knew that you would and that we would have a fighter on our hands.
Happy 4th birthday—I hope it was everything you wanted it to be and more.
Love—your mommy
