You, at four...

Wow, little man...how did we get here? Where did the time go? You've been with me almost every second of the last four years, and still I can't seem to piece that much time together in my mind. I can tell you this, Yums, I don't like how fast time is flying by! I selfishly want more and more time with you, more and more hours added to the day (though, to be honest, by the time bedtime rolls around I'm ready for it!). I just love everything about you, and this past year I've seen such a transformation in you. You truly are growing into an amazing young man.

As I've done in the past, and I'll do again, I wanted to create a memory for myself of exactly who you are at this point in time. I'm sure a year from now, when I sit down to reminisce about the 5 years that have passed, this snapshot of you will seem like a distant memory...

* You are a Momma's Boy through and through! Nothing makes my heart happier than when you get home from going somewhere with Daddy and you charge into the house calling for me!

* You love being outside, playing in the dirt, making mud with the water hose. You get the biggest smile on your face when you come inside, covered head to toe in dirt, and we look at you all stern...then smile and say "GREAT job getting dirty!!"

* The absolute cutest thing you do is when you ask us a question, not expecting a "sure!", then get all excited, grab our arm or leg and give it a big kiss. We love making you so happy!

* You're still enamored with trains, trucks, motorcycles, and any "toy with wheels." I love watching you lie on the floor in your playroom making garages for all your cars and trucks.

* You still say "my" instead of "I"....and I secretly love it!! (But don't tell your speech therapist!)

* You are the big helper at preschool and prefer to be "teacher's assistant" more than play with the other kids....I can't say I'm surprised!

* You ask all the time for a baby brother or sister. We've tried so hard, but it just doesn't seem in the cards...at least not the way we had hoped. Hopefully in the next year we'll get some other options underway and help fulfill that dream for all of us. But I know this, little man, you're going to be a GREAT big brother one day!


When your birthday was approaching and I would ask if you were excited to be turning four, you would look sad and tell me "No." I asked you why not, and your reply broke my heart. You said, "Because I won't be your baby anymore." I quickly reassured you that you will ALWAYS be my baby, that nothing will ever change that, and you perked up. By the time your party was two weeks away, you couldn't WAIT to turn four. The morning of your actual birthday you popped up in bed when I told you that you were four now, and you said, "REALLY?? Really...My four now!?" I love that I was able to reassure you that it was okay to grow up, okay to move forward. Secretly, though, little man...I will always see you as my little baby. There will never ever come a time when you are not my baby anymore. I just love you more than words...