Happy Birthday My Angel!

My Dearest Boy:

Three years ago today, I became the happiest Mother in the world. After a long, long fight to get pregnant, and a tough end of pregnancy, it all became worth it on 9:17am, January 5th, 2006. As I tell you every year, your Mom and I went to the hospital the night before and after almost 15 hours of labor, the doctor helped bring you out to your Moms. It was, and will remain, the greatest day of my life.

This last year has been an amazing one for you. When I think back to where you were this time last year, and where you are now, I am just shocked at all you have done this year. I think the biggest thing that has changed is how well you are speaking. At this time last year we were just entering Early Intervention services (although you had been in your therapies for some time before this) and you literally could not even put two words together. I remember in late February you said, "Bye Paul" to your uncle and it was the first time that you had put two words together. About a month later, when we took you to visit Disneyland, you loved the train ride so much that when we would walk away you would say, "Back Choo" meaning you wanted to go back to the Choo Choo that you loved so much. To go from that to where you are now is astonishing. You quite literally never shut up. You have so much to say and although sometimes other people can't quite understand everything that comes out of your mouth, as your Mommy, I always can. And I always love what I hear. I always want you to be able to talk to me, and I give you my solemn promise that I will always listen. Your words mean more to me than you will ever know.

You had quite a few big events in your life this past year. In February you left your beloved daycare where you had been since you were 3 months old. In doing so, you left your caretakers, known as The Aunties, and moved into a new school. Even though you had just turned two, you jumped right into the school portion of this new place and made friends right away. You love both of your teachers so much that you usually don't want to leave at the end of the day. That alone lets me know that I made the right decision in where I sent you. I am so proud of the big boy that you are at your school.

You got to go on quite a few fun trips this year as well. We took you to Disneyland for the first time and, although you weren't so much into the rides, you LOVED the experience. You are a great little traveler and loved staying in the hotel with your Moms and loved meeting Mickey and, most of all, loved riding on that train. You also made a trip up to your cabin in the mountains and showed your Mommy that the love of throwing rocks in the rivers and lakes is something that will go down in our generations. You showed me that you are an outdoorsy boy and you loved running around and seeing all the beautiful sights and enjoying nature like your Mommy does. You also got to go to Hawaii for the first time and experience your first plane ride. You were a trooper and didn't bother any of the other passengers during the flight, although you were quite verbal with Mommy about being "done" with the plane on the flight back. But you LOVED the pool at the hotel we stayed at and enjoyed looking at the beach, although you weren't so keen on actually playing there. We took you on many weekend trips to see the zoo and the aquarium and to get pumpkins and Christmas trees. You are such a happy little boy that as long as you are surrounded by the friends and family that love you, you willingly go pretty much anywhere.

Some of your favorite things this past year have included Thomas the Train (which you loved with the ferocity of a thousand suns), all things fire fighters and police, anything related to the movie Cars, any and all tools that you can get your hands on. Most recently you have discovered your love of the kitchen and all things food. You love to help me make something in the crock pot every Sunday morning, you made some Christmas cookies with your Grammie over the holidays and most recently, helped make your very own cupcakes for your birthday party with your Gigi. You love your cats and think that they have been put in the house for your sole enjoyment. Your favorite is Rudy, mostly because he allows you to grab him around the neck and carry him around the house. The other two simply tolerate you, but your affection with Rudy can be heard by his screeching throughout the entire house. And although he complains, he follows you around and lays down and purrs at you so you can lay on top of him and "give him big hug." Your favorite thing in the world continues to be your Lambie and you still enjoy your Binky in your bed (but enjoy it quick, cause that is coming to an end very soon). You insist on having one of your original blankets that was given to you as a newborn in bed with you at night, but you MUST be covered by your coveted "Big Thomas" blanket now that you are bigger and need a real blanket for warmth.

The most amazing thing about you, my precious little boy, is your wonderful personality. You truly are the sweetest person I know. You are always happy. If for some reason you aren't acting happy, then there is something wrong, and once we fix it, you return to your happy little demeanor. You are polite, and considerate and genuinely care about the people around you. You love to give hugs and to give multiple kisses on each cheek (how very European of you) and you still appease me by giving me snuggle time each and every morning even though I know you would rather be playing with your toys. You tell me, "Okay Mommy, five more minutes, den I go pay my toys." I treasure those 5 minutes my boy. You are smart as a whip and it literally scares me how much you understand and know. Just this morning I told you it might rain and therefore you got to wear your favorite fire fighter raincoat. While driving to school you asked me where the rain was and I told you it wasn't raining yet, but that it was going to later. You said, "Da rain still in da clouds Mommy?" How the hell you knew that, I will never know, but wow. You can point out where you live on our globe at home and also point out where we are going on vacation next week (Hawaii). You can count up to almost 30 (sometimes you miss the number 16 though, not sure why you don't seem to like that one...) and not only can you sing the ABC's, but you can point out and understand every letter of the alphabet. And lots of times you like to torture me by pointing out any and all letters no matter where you see them (on a magazine at the grocery store, on an ad on the TV, on the box of your toys...) You know the words to about 10 different songs and sing them if you can't come up with anything else to say. I could go on, but let me just tell you that I am impressed by how smart you are each and every single day.

You have so many wonderful people in your life that you love. You are a lucky little boy to have so many people who love you and treasure you. The people who never fail to put a smile on your face, or a hug in your heart are: Your Mommy and your Mom. Your Gigi, who you love like she is a third Mommy, and your Poppy. Your cousin M, and your Uncle P and Auntie E, and even little cousin E. Your BeeBee is a favorite as well. Your Uncle B and Uncle M (the Gay boyfriends), and especially Mommy's cousin MO. You love your Grammie and Gramps and all of your other cousins (although seeing as how she is the oldest, you seem to be a bit obsessed with cousin M right now). I don't think there is any way you could understand how very many people love and adore you. Both you and I are very lucky to have all these amazing people in our lives.

My boy, you are truly the greatest gift that has ever been given to me. I have loved and treasured every single day of these past three years. You will never be able to completely understand all the amazing things you have brought to my life. I love you more than I ever thought possible to love another human being. In a few months, we are going to welcome a sister for you into our family. But I want to take this time to tell you how very much I have enjoyed having you, and JUST YOU, as my baby. You will always be my very favorite little boy and you will always be my first baby. I think you are going to like having a little sister. I think it is going to make our family even better. Happy Birthday my big boy. I love you dearly.

Pictured above, a picture of you over the weekend with your present from your Grammie and Gramps: A New Big Wheel! Even though your feet can't reach the pedals yet, and you can barely see over the "steering wheel," you love it!