Dear Luke,
Happy, happy 4th birthday to you, sweet boy! I anticipate that you’ll leap out of bed this morning, full of exuberance and energy (much like you begin most days!). How lucky you are that your birthday falls on a preschool morning, so you can share the day with your beloved teachers and friends. We will take in the cupcakes that we made together yesterday (“They NEED to have sprinkles, Mommy”, you told me.), go out to lunch at whatever restaurant you choose, and have a family party at our house with Bean & Poppy tonight. We will celebrate you, my dear 4 year-old son, and I, of course, will reflect on this day four years ago, when you entered the world and changed my life forever.
Oh, what a year we’ve had! Three was everything that I imagined it would be… It was boundless energy, jumping off the couch, and continued obsessions with construction vehicles. It was Thomas the Tank Engine, Disney Cars, and mud puddles for stomping. It was dinosaurs and fire trucks, soccer and playgrounds, giggles and tantrums. Three was full of sing-along songs, am-i-dals, monster trucks, and caterpillars.
But here’s what I didn’t know about three:
Three also meant countless kisses for Mommy, bear hugs every day, and spontaneously telling me, “Mommy, you’re my best friend.” Three was the age where you paused, and asked me, “Do you know how I love you so much?” Three was the loss of your daily nap, and the gradual disappearance of your sweet baby scent. I didn't know how strong the bond between a Mommy and her little boy could be and how you would steal my heart completely at Three.
I didn’t realize how much Three would teach me about my parenting skills. This year was extremely challenging at times. You were finally able to articulate the feelings of jealousy and adjustment that you had about your baby sister, by telling us, “We NEED to send Leah back to the hop-sital.” It was hard not to smile at your unique pronunciation of “hospital”, but it broke my heart to see you unhappy at times this year, as you struggled with the continued transition of competing for our attention. We had ups and downs together as Daddy and I learned the most effective ways to parent a very strong-willed three year-old, who tested boundaries and could be extremely stubborn.
I should have known that Three would be so full of questions, with your curious, inquisitive nature. You want to know how everything works… from directions on street signs to how God made us. You are so, so smart and I often think you are an old soul. You are such a FUN kid, too! You’ve always had a stream of consciousness verbal dialogue when communicating, where you narrate what you are doing, thinking, and feeling. At age 1, this was basic and often in third person: “Baboo climbing, Baboo walking, etc…”. When you were 2, you were able to put more words and sentences together, and began to show us your incredible memory and attention to detail. But this past year, at age 3, you astounded us with your often grown-up insights, continued love and memorization of books, and formation of many complex ideas and opinions.
I also didn’t know that Three meant that you would resemble Daddy more and more every day. You boys make me laugh with many of the same mannerisms and facial expressions. What a gift these moments are for me, to be able to picture the man you’ll become, as I recognize the similarities and resemblances in my husband and my son: my little mini-Mark. Three has provided me with glimpses of the big kid that you are becoming, and I love watching you change and grow.
You have brought us so much joy as a three year-old. Your sister absolutely adores you, and you can make her smile and laugh more than anyone else. Daddy and I have believed that the sun and moon revolve around you since the moment your “flicker” entered our lives, and you are still the center of our universe. How deeply we love you and have enjoyed watching you become your own independent person this year. You have taken many of your first steps out of the nest as a 3 year-old, as you began preschool, and you have done beautifully. I look forward to the year ahead, and the many new adventures that Four will surely bring. Happy Birthday to you, my darling boy. I love you more than tongue can tell.
Love, Mommy
