four.

My precious firstborn,

I can't seem to figure out how to slow this thing we call "time" down, and so here it is: your fourth birthday.  You are four years old today and it's hard for me to even grasp that, because it seems like I was just holding your tiny little body in my arms for the first time.  And yet, here you are, old enough now to do so many things by yourself.

Things like getting dressed (and undressed) all by yourself, with only a little help for buttons and zippers, and going potty by yourself.  Such a big boy.  :)  You can also buckle yourself into your seat in the car by yourself, and you can help clear the table after meals.  You are such a big helper to me around the house, cleaning up toys, helping with laundry and helping take care of your little sister.

That's right!  You became a big brother this year!  I think the very minute you set eyes on your little sister, you fell in love with her.  And you have been so good to her -- so loving and sweet.  I have really enjoyed seeing this new side of you as big brother emerge.  It has been so precious to watch you with her, interacting with her, and ever-conscious of her.  The older she gets, the more fun it is to watch you two together.  You can really entertain her, bringing smiles and giggles.  I love that you can do that with her, and I think you do, too.  :)  I hope you will always look out for Natalie like you do now, and that you'll always be able to make her smile.

You also started school this year!  You are in preschool 2 days a week and you've made lots of new friends and learned lots of new things.  You amaze me with how much you can remember, buddy.  And hearing you talk about different friends at school just confirms what I've already seen emerging -- that you are going to be a good friend.  I pray you'll always be kind and caring to your friends.  I think your sweet personality will make it easy for you.  :)

I have so enjoyed being home with you and Natalie these past 8 months.  It was a huge answer to many prayers that I prayed, and it hasn't been without its challenges, but there's no place I'd rather be than with you and Natalie, watching you grow and learn.  And when you turn that sweet smile on me and tell me, out of the blue, "I love you, mama", it's worth it.  So very worth every heartache and joy-filled moment.

We've had a lot of changes in our lives this past year, haven't we, buddy?  And you have taken them all in stride.  You have kept right in step with your easy-going personality and have just rolled right along with whatever.  I love that about you.

I am so proud of you, Deacon.  You are so bright and so full of energy and life.  I continue to be so very grateful that God chose me to be your mama.  My heart just bursts with love for you, every moment of every day.

Happy 4th birthday, doodle.

Love,

Mama

three.

My sweet boy,

Unbelievably, another year of your precious life has passed -- you are three years old today!

I am absolutely amazed at what you can do, all the things you know and remember, how you've become even more fun in just a year's time.  You are such a joy to me, doodle!

You still love to chatter on and on, and even though it can be wearisome at times, it is one of the things I love about you.  I love to carry on conversations with you about anything and everything.  From trucks, tractors or trains to bible verses and things you learn at church, you are already so knowledgeable and perceptive!  My gracious, kid -- I see glimpses into your sweet heart and it just turns mine inside out.

You are so quick to pick up on all kinds of emotions that you observe -- and quick to ask for prayer when needed.  I hope you always remember that you can talk to Jesus about anything.

You have been so much fun to watch grow and change and learn over these past three years.  You are becoming quite the little man, with opinions and preferences of your own.  It's been so wonderful to watch you develop friendships with the little people in our lives, the sons or daughters of our own friends.  I think you're going to be a good friend to your peeps, buddy.  :)

We have enjoyed every minute of having you here with us and we're so excited to see you become a big brother next year!  You already seem to have a fondness for your baby sister and I have a strong feeling that when our little Natalie Grace arrives, you are going to be the best big brother ever!  And she will totally adore you, just like we do.

Happy 3rd birthday, buddy.

Love,
Mama

two.

My precious Deacon,

 

Wow, another whole year has flown by already.  That means you are two years old today!

 

I can hardly believe you are a happy little toddler, running around and bringing joy everywhere you go.  You still have a ready smile for anyone you see, but with that smile, you now offer a wave and a loud "hi!".  And no one can resist your sweet little voice.  :)

 

Speaking of that voice, you use it a lot.  You are constantly chattering about something, and we can usually understand most of it.  :)  You can sing a lot of the songs that mommy and daddy have taught you, including "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Jesus Loves Me" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider".  It is so precious to me to hear you sing.

 

I love to hear you talk, too, though.  And most of the time you're polite, saying "please", "thank you", "q me" (excuse me) and even "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.  You can tell me almost all your body parts and where they are.  You can tell me almost all the animals that Old MacDonald has on his farm, and what sound they make.  You can tell me what your first and last name is, who your favorite baseball team is (go Yankees!) and you can count to 15!  I am so amazed at how smart you are, buddy.  You make this mama's heart swell with such pride I can barely contain it.

 

One of my most favorite things about you is the fact that you are still my lover boy.  You still love to cuddle, and you love to give hugs and kisses.  When you run up to me with your arms open wide saying, "hug...hug", there is nothing that will stop me from scooping you up and basking in that moment with my sweet boy.

 

Your kisses are the best, too, though you don't save those just for mommy anymore.  You like to kiss all the girls or pretty much anyone that's the same size as you.  :)  I love that you are so kind and loving, doodle.  It's an answer to one of many prayers I pray for you.

 

It has been incredible to watch you change from a tiny, helpless little baby to this fun little guy who can already do so many things on your own.  That has sent me on a roller coaster of emotion, I'll tell ya, kid.  I've never felt such pride and sadness at exactly the same time -- pride at seeing you learn new things and excel at them, but sadness that you are just growing up so very fast, right before my eyes.

 

I still feel so blessed by God to call you my son, and I'm amazed at all the things you're learning and what God is teaching me in the process.  I am so proud of you, buddy, and I love you more than I can even explain in words.  You are my heart.

 

Happy 2nd birthday, sweet boy.

Love,
Mama

 

 

one.

My sweet Deacon-baby,

So much can happen in 365 days.

One year...that's how old you are today, punkin.  It's so hard for me to believe that we've had you for that long already -- it went by in the blink of your pretty blue eyes.  :)

This time last year we were welcoming you into our family, and what a perfect fit you are!  Today, we're celebrating the milestone of your 1st birthday and all that you've accomplished.

It has been so much fun to watch you grow and change this past year.  You have grown from a 7 lb, 2 oz cuddly newborn to a healthy, happy 20 lb + baby boy (and you're still cuddly :).  You really are such a happy boy -- you have a ready smile for anyone and everyone, and your laughs and giggles are the most precious thing.

What a joy it has been to watch you learn new things like clapping and talking (my word, you are a chatterbox!), crawling and cruising.  I could just sit and watch you for hours; you bring me so much enjoyment.  And entertainment!  You make me laugh all the time, booger!

You are such a laid-back kid, just like your Daddy.  :)  You've done well with pretty much everything that's come your way this past year -- from doctor's appts and vaccines, to new foods and all the "1sts".

You got your 1st tooth (+ 4 more!) early on.  You met so many family members for the 1st time this past year, all of whom have fallen in love with you.  :)  You experienced your 1st hurricane, Irene, which wasn't scary at all, and you've had so many 1st holidays already.  You've taken your 1st bike and boat rides.  You've gone to the beach for the 1st time (and taken more trips since then), and have been in a pool for the 1st time (of many!).  You love the water!

God blessed us so much when He chose you to be our son, and we are so thankful to Him for the opportunity to watch you grow into a godly man who is kind and generous, full of integrity and trustworthy.  This is my prayer for you, buddy.  This, and so many more things I want for you, but for now, I just want you to know that I adore you.

Happy 1st birthday, doodle.

Love,

Mama