Dear Eli...Spring is Here!

Dear Eli, 
Love You Forever My Boy...

It's crazy how time flies by and before you know it weeks have passed.  It seems like since you were born time has accelerated!  I try to savor every day as much as I can because it's hard to imagine that one day you will be reading this letter as a grown man.  Yet no matter how big or how old you are, you will always be my baby :)  I am reminded of the story that my mom used to read to Uncle Tyler called Love You Forever.  In the story the mom rocks her baby and sings, " I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."  

You crack me up and make me laugh every single day.  You are your father's child and are so routine when it comes to your schedule. You are like clockwork and our morning reminds me of Groundhog's day over and over, ha!  When you wake up there is no cuddling, but you immediately come into my room and announce you are ready for "milky" and Curious George.  After going to Disney last month, I think you got your Mickey fix so now you're in a Curious George phase.  Sadly you know how to operate the tv and netflix so away you go and you push the buttons to find your show.  You sit in the same spot on the same couch EVERY morning and you immediately switch into trance mode, which I call a milk/tv coma!  Sometimes you are sweet to me and you say "mommy, I can watch Curious George on the Kindle so you can watch your news."  I actually rarely ever watch the news now since you have taken top priority but when I do I sure do appreciate it :)  

Spring is finally here, according to the calender, and praying that the weather got the memo as well.  We had a huge snowstorm last week on March 18th, and even as I type this right now I'm looking at 4 feet of snow in our cul-de-sac.  However, the temperature is starting to reach 50 this week so I'm sure soon enough it will melt and it will really feel like spring is in the air.  I love waking up to hearing the birds chirping outside...there is such a fresh excitement in the air!  

Auntie Caleigh came over on her spring break last week and she brought an egg coloring kit.  You guys colored eggs together and you loved it!  We have them sitting out on display and you like to go over and just look at them.  You made a cross out of a palm branch at children's church this passed Sunday and we have that displayed with your Easter eggs.  We have been reading about the death and resurrection of Jesus the last couple weeks and when we ask you what Easter is truly about you say "Jesus died on the cross for us so that we can live here forever."  It is sweet to watch your little mind and spirit taking it all in.  You wanted to know why there were 3 men on crosses and why people were being mean to Jesus.  You challenge me with the questions you ask, especially trying to answer you in a way that you'll somewhat understand.    But no matter what, I can tell that you are absorbing it all and it's a blessing to have been chosen to help teach you!

Back at Christmas we took a quiz that told us our "Elf" name.  Your last name was monkey buns and ever since then you introduce yourself as "Eli Monkey Buns" to complete strangers, haha!  The funny part is that you are as serious as can be.  We always joke, since your name is monkey buns that your monkey butt needs a bath.   Now even before we tell you it's bath time you tell us "my monkey butt stinks...I need a bath,"  hahaha!  You love your bath time and since you were a baby it's rare that we miss a day.  I think having it as part of your routine in the evening always made it more of an easier transition for bed.    As of this past month, your diaper is dry every morning.  I am so proud of you.  This was the final straw where you no longer have any connection to your baby days:(  Once we get a waterproof mattress pad (for back up), those diapers are gone.   Makes me sad but thankful to be past the potty training stage!

This past week was my birthday and you lovingly made me a card with daddy.  Daddy asked you what you wanted to say to me and inside he wrote it word for word, "Mommy, Love you so much Chicken Butt....Love, Eli Monkey Buns."  I'm not sure where you came from, but you crack yourself up and you think you are so funny :)   Uncle Tyler taught you the word "chicken butt" and now you like to use it now and again cause you think it's hilarious!  I will keep that card forever in my stash of memories so one day when you are old and you are reading this letter, I can pull it out and show you.  There is never a dull moment when you are around!  Mimi and Buppa had a family birthday party at their house for me and Grampy and Grammy and Great Grandma came to celebrate with us as well.  You were my little helper in blowing out the candle and opening up all the gifts.  You love birthdays, no matter who's it is, because you love to just help out.  You asked me if you could have your birthday again with me.  

The chalkboard sign you and daddy wrote on for my birthday morning.

The beautiful table setting that Mimi put together...

 The yummy cupcakes Auntie Caleigh made, mmm....

Recently when I suggest something to you or ask you if you want to do something, you respond with "yea, that sounds like a really good idea."  You also have mastered putting your two fingers up when we ask you how old you are.  Before you had to use your other hand to push the remaining three fingers down.  I love watching you put your two fat fingers together.  I think you are pumped and proud of yourself because you love to show me all the time.  

You recently learned your birth date and you know the street that is connected to ours.  When we ask you your birthday you say "Nobember fif (5)" and every time we pull into our neighborhood you say "we are on Willowdale and then we are going down Wintergreen Drive." It's amazing how aware you are of your surroundings and you know which direction we are going depending on the roads we take.  

Today we were finally able to enjoy some play time outdoors without having to be all bundled up in snow pants.  I'm so glad to finally have some more mild weather ahead of us.  You had your dump truck and shovel outside trying to make roads and "snow" castles.  You found some sticks and you said you were planting carrots.  You asked if you could use the hose to water them, ha! You have such an imagination :)  I love it!

We have hit a new stage with you where you are VERY BOSSY!  I know I was similiar from what mimi tells me and of what I've seen on home videos.  It has been a challenging last few weeks with you.  You like to be in control (which I'm sure a lot of 2 year olds do) and so when things don't go your way, you have a fit.  You also don't know your own strength and in playing you will be more aggressive than I'd like, which could be a strength in sports someday but gets you into trouble sometimes. You're learning that you have to be aware of those around you and that you can hurt people if you are not cautious.   I have really had to stick to my guns and be consistent with discipline.  I hate doing it sometimes, but I can see that you do understand and are learning through this challenging time for both of us :)  

You are the light of my life and the first smile on my face every morning.  I don't know what I would do without you even when you test me to the limit!!;)  

Love you so much,

Mommy

Dear Eli...Nemo Came to Visit Us This Week!

Dear Eli,

What a fun filled week we had!  Blizzard "Nemo came through and stayed for 2 days.  I didn't mind though because daddy was home and we were able to spend some quality time together as a family.  We finished your "Big Boy" room with your help of course and you are enjoying it very much!  You ask to go play in there and you actually look forward to going to bed in your new bunk beds.  I think it feels so cozy and fort like under there that its fun and exciting now :)

 

We went and played out in the snow during the storm and you loved it!  There was about 2 1/2 feet of snow fall and with snow drifts it was way over 3 feet.  The piles of snow out front of the house are at least 5 feet and even higher out in the middle of the cul-de-sac.  You had fun climbing the hills and digging in the snow.  Some of the older boys in the neighborhood made a fort with a tunnel and you thought it was "so cool"  in your own words:)   Your friends Quaid and Aubrie came out to play with us (something you requested that morning).  The snow was whipping and blowing and was so very cold, but you loved it nonetheless.  You are an outdoorsy boy and I hope it stays that way!

Lately I have noticed you mimic a lot of what I say in your daily conversation...some of which I didn't realize I even say!  You often say "what the heck is that doing there" or "why the heck can't I figure that out."  You have come up with your own word instead of saying "bummer" or "oh shoot", you say "Oh bammers," ahaha! You tell me everyday, "I don't feel better...I really need some vitamins."  We buy the gummy ones from Trader Joe's and you love them.  I think you think they taste like candy:)  You keep me laughing and I never know what is going to come out of that little mouth of yours.

Some of your favorite things right now include:

• Building with your legos.  You use a hammer to pound every block together like you are really building with wood. 
• Using your hockey stick and hitting the puck or ball around the house.
• Playing with play-doh from Great Grampy and Grammy.  This activity keeps you busy for a while.  You love creating and making food for all of us to eat, but you get mad if we pretend to eat it and it goes missing.  You holler at us and say "noooo....you can't eat that.  It's not real, it's plastic."
• Painting or coloring.  We do this at least once a day!
• Cooking in the kitchen with mommy.  You are my little shadow and are right there to pitch in ALL the time. We make smoothies every morning.  They are your favorite and you look forward to being able to push the button when we blend everything together:)
• Playing games on the Kindle or watching Dora on there.  You know how to work it and find all the Apps.   From the beginning I said that you couldn't use it, however, I find that it keeps you focused for a period of time so when I need to get something done and I need you out from under my feet, the Kindle is our go to buddy!
• Anything tool related.  You bring your tools everywhere and try to fix everything :)
• Playing with your trains, trucks and cars.  You have quite the imagination now and it's so fun to watch you playing with them.

You love to sing and I catch you singing throughout the day.  If we catch eye contact however, you get this shy look and fall over on the floor with a big smile on your face.  Mommy loves to sing so it's not a surprise cause we sing together all the time.  When the little Eli comes to visit during the week we always do sing song time and you love doing all the motions to the songs.  It's so fun and you boys love dancing around the house to the music.

You are our little narrator.  No matter where we go in the car, you talk the whole way and you tell us everything you see.  You tell us when there is a red light and we need to stop or if its green and we need to go or if it's yellow and we need to slow down, ha!  You are very observant and you see the littlest details that I sometimes don't even see.  You also are an amazing GPS.  You have a keen sense of your surroundings and  often times know what direction we are going in and what turns to take.  Mimi says I used to tell her where to go when I was your age so I guess it runs in the genes :)

I love your giggle and sometimes I catch you laughing at something on tv or while playing in your playroom by yourself and it's the BEST sound in the world.  I want to bottle it up and hold it with me forever.  It is so genuine and pure.  It's contagious and once you get going sometimes there is no stopping!  You laugh at things that you probably shouldn't, like when mommy falls or trips or I drop something on the floor.  That brings out a gut giggle in you and I can totally relate.  It must be a nervous thing in us because if someone were to fall down the stairs my immediate reaction would be to laugh as terrible as that is.  I know you have a heart of compassion though so I don't take offense to your laughing at me, haha!  If we pretend to cry or be upset you get such a concerned look on your face and you come over and hold right on.  You say to whomever it is, "love you so much...its ok...I sorry."  I think you are catching on to our faking it thought because recently you have said "stop pretending...your ok."  You are so with it and nothing gets by you!

We are going to Florida next week and we made the mistake of telling you that we are going on a plane and going to see Mickey (Your favorite!)  Now that's all you talk about every day and have no concept of time frame.   You and I made a calendar this week so that we could count down the days to when we leave.  We cross out the day and count how many days we have left.  You put Mickey Mouse Clubhouse stickers on the week we are gone.  You are so excited and you said you can't wait to hug him!  I can't wait to see your face when you meet him in person...it's going to be priceless!

We have been working on saying "May I" when you ask a question.  You are getting really good at it and you have been asking me before you go get things out or try to do certain things now.  I like that you ask because it keeps me from getting frustrated and you understand more if you can't have it because I have a chance to talk to you first.  I can tell it makes you feel proud!  I forget that you are only 2 a lot because of your level of understanding and comprehension.  I can tell you to do something and you actually know what to do and can complete it semi-well.  Even though you are only 2, you actually get excited about helping out and I think it's a good thing to start a foundation of understanding responsibility and being a good steward of your things.

Last night before bed you were laying there looking through books and you said to me "mommy, Jesus is sitting right here next to me under the blanket, but I can't see him. There is nothing to be afraid of though because He is here with me."   And then this morning when I put my robe on before coming downstairs, you said, "you look just like Jesus.  He wears a robe you know." ahahaha....that gave me a good laugh! Whether you have seen it in a book or you truly have seen Him, I am amazed at your level of understanding.  You love Jesus and it fills my heart to the fullest!

You are the essence of joy and so full of life!  You bless me more than you will ever know and I thank God for the gift that you are every single day.  You are so special to me!

Love you so much!
Mommy

Dear Eli...

Dear Eli,

Oh how I miss you as I write this right now.  You are off having a sleep over with Grammy and Grampy for a couple days.  This is something that you do about once a month since they live a little further from us. You love going to your grandparents house.   You often go to Mimi and Buppa's on Saturday nights so daddy and I can have a date night.  We are VERY BLESSED to have parents who care for you,  love and adore you more than anything.  You get so excited when you know you are going to have a sleep over.  You love to help me pack your bag and you rattle off things you remember doing the last time you were there.  Your face lights up in anticipation of your visit and your sweet smile is priceless.  Although we look forward to a little alone/quiet time, I CANNOT WAIT to hold you and see you after a short time apart.  I get this inner excitement like a little kid on Christmas when I get to see you :)  It really is a blessing the relationship that you share with both sets of grandparents.  You are one special little boy!

This past week you have been so intrigued and interested n the book "Heaven is For Real."  You request it every night before bed and you love to help narrate it as I go along.  You ask a million questions about Jesus and the Angels and Heaven.  It's amazing to watch your little wheels turning as you take it all in.  You are very observant of the little details and just the other day we were at a friends house and you made reference to something in the book.  You saw a crown that belonged to the little girl and you said with excitement "look at this crown mommy, it is just like the one Jesus wears."  I had to think about it and remembered the picture from the book that you were relating it to.  I really believe your spirit absorbs more than we realize because you tell me every morning that Jesus visits you in your room.  Daddy asked you the other day what Jesus  says to you and you thought about it for 10 seconds and then said, "He said I get a baby sister."  I wasn't there in the moment, but daddy said he knew Jesus was speaking to you by the way you told him.  He said it brought tears to his eyes because you really believe it.  I asked you the same question later that day and you gave me the same answer word for word.  For me, this ministered to my heart because I've been struggling with wanting to have a little sibling for you.  Through you telling me this, you have brought hope to mommy's heart.  I know in His time this joy will come true!

You are the greatest little helper.  You want to help me do everything.  It's so funny to watch the excitement in your eyes when you are able to help me cook, vacuum, fold laundry, make the bed, and even clean the toilet.  I know this excitement for cleaning will not last forever, so I'm trying to savor these moments we have :)  For Christmas, Mimi and Buppa bought you a little dyson vacuum and you go all over the house with it.  You tell me all the time, "I help you clean the house" and then you sing the song "clean up, clean up everybody everywhere, clean up, clean up, everybody do your share."  You are the best help and you love leaving your mark in the kitchen.  You make eggs with me every morning.  You tell me "we have to have a bowl and a whisk."  I crack the eggs, and you help stir all the ingredients in one by one.  I find that you are more into eating food when you help prepare it.  So thankful that you are not a picky eater.  You have a very diversified appetite.   One of your favorite things to eat is Pad Thai.  You ask for "snacks" all the time when you are hungry.  Some of your favorites are raisins, bananas, cutie oranges, cheese itz, black olives, cucumbers and dip, applesauce and yogurt.  You do not like me helping you.  You like to do it all yourself and you like to sit at the table like a big person.  You do a great job at getting most of the yogurt and applesauce in your mouth without making a mess.  You even peeled your own cutie orange this week after I got it started for you.  If there is a will there is a way with you.  You will figure it out no matter what!

Some of your favorite toys right now are your cash register (from Grampy and Grammy), breakfast play dough set from (from Great Grampy and Grammy), dump truck (from Mimi and Buppa) that you fill with your stuffed animal friends and you haul them around the house and your camera (from Uncle Jordan) which you take pictures of anyone and everything.  You love playing outdoors and if it were up to you, you would never come in.  Daddy built you a fort with a tunnel in the snow recently and you thought it was a big deal.  You loved having that alone time with him!

We usually go to Sams Club for our monthly routine grocery run and in between for staple items that we run out of.  It is our families weekend shopping date.  We don't usually tell you we are going because you get so excited and ask for "pizza" all the way.  When we drive into the parking lot you exclaim, "Sam's Club" and immediately want out so we can go in for our weekly date.  I think you love this place because many of the employees know you by now and you love all the taste testers that they put out to try.  When we leave you expect the lady at the door to draw you a picture on the receipt because that's what they always do.  If someone fails to, you make note of it and ask why there is no picture.   You carry that receipt with you like you've won a great prize!

Football season is big around our house and you are catching on to it.  You know daddy's favorite team is the Patriots and you know the difference between all the sports when you see them on tv.  We went to your first hockey game last Friday night and you had a lot of fun.  It was a UMaine game which daddy was excited about since that was his school and you were able to wear your hockey jersey.  You loved the mascot "bananas" the black bear and the funny thing is, is that daddy used to be that bear that skated on the ice in Orono.  Everytime the guys in front of us clapped and cheered, you joined in and clapped with them.  Buppa and uncle Tyler were at the game and you decided that you would rather sit with them over us for part of it.  When we went to take you away, you were not happy.  I can tell that you love your male bonding time :)

Now that you are "officially" potty trained during the day, you have now become more independent with it.  You like to go in and get on the potty all by yourself.  You know to put your little toilet seat on top of the big seat, you push your stool up to it and you know how to pull your underwear down.  As of this week, your new thing is wanting to stand instead of sit.  Surprisingly, you do this quite well and you look like such a big kid.  I feel as though you are growing up so fast and you are only 2!  We haven't had a poo accident in 2 weeks so we are on a roll.  This is one happy momma here :)

Can't wait to see you my little man!  I miss you when we are apart.   I can't remember life without you in it because you have always seemed like you were a part.  "You are My Sunshine", as I always sing to you.  This is OUR song and it never grows old!

Love you so much!
Mommy

Dear Eli...First Journal Entry to My Boy!

Dear Eli,

This is the first of many letters that I plan to write and compile for you via my blog.  I thought this would be a great place to document your life and the memories we share and create together so you can one day look back and see your life through my eyes as your momma!

We have just entered a New Year and I can't believe it is 2013.  It seems like yesterday that it was 2010 and daddy and I were excitedly planning your arrival.  2 years later and we are so very blessed by the gift that you are to our family.  I remember the day you were born so clearly.  You were 8 days late and seemed so chilled and relaxed in mommy's belly that you took your time making your grand entrance into this world.  It was a Thursday evening when we went in to be induced to have you.  After a long 14 hours of labor with you, I had an emergency c-section since you were not budging.  On Friday, November 5th at 6:19 pm, I can remember the doctor pulling you out and exclaiming, "he is a big boy indeed."  You certainly were at 8 lbs 15 oz. and were perfect in every way.  You never seemed like a new born to me from the start...you always seemed older than what you were.  To this day it appears that way, and I think you might be following in your momma's shoes. 

You have brought so much joy to our lives and I've also never been so challenged in all my life.  I look at you sometimes and can't understand how such a little person can have so much personality and such a strong opinion compacted into that tiny being of yours.  You know what you want and you will do whatever it takes to conquer or obtain it.  I love how independent and outgoing you are, it's just a little challenging at times and my prayer is that God helps us as your parents to train, lead and direct your strengths in the right way.  You are a ball of energy, full of spice and life.  You always have a smile on your face and gut giggles that are contagious.  You are a little tease and have quite the sense of humor.  You laugh at yourself all the time...it is hilarious!  Just tonight while praying before bed, you were praying for everyone in the family by name and when you get to the aunts and uncles, you get a smirk on your face and you say, "thank you for uncle caleigh, etc".  You couldn't stop laughing because you thought it was so funny.  You are a ticket and you know it! 

You have the best memory...it's actually scary sometimes because you remind me of things that I don't even remember.  We tell you something once and you don't let us forget it.  When you get a gift given to you, you remember exactly who gave it to you by name.  It's truly amazing!  Last night someone told you they liked your shoes.  You said, "yea, those are my Toms" haha, you are too funny!

This past Christmas was so much fun with you!  You were into all the festivities more than I had thought for just turning 2.  We made sure that we emphasized what the season was really about and you seemed to comprehend it well.  You would tell us, "it's Jesus' birthday and He was born in a manger.  His mommy was Mary, His daddy was Joseph" when we would point to the picture of the nativity.   You even helped me make a monkey bread (birthday cake) for Jesus Christmas morning and we sang to Him and blew out the candle in remembrance of the day.  You also were very excited about Santa this year all on your own.  You asked to make cookies and put carrots out for the reindeer and you even asked to go to bed early that night.  You wrote Santa a letter on Christmas Eve and your face was priceless when you received a letter in return the next morning.  The excitement you brought to Christmas this year was so special and truly "magical" in a sense.  You were a pro at opening up your presents and I think tearing the paper apart was the high light of your day. Your big present this year from us was a kitchen set and you have played with it everyday since then.  You are a great little chef :)  I look forward to the many traditions that we are starting as a family that we will be able to share and experience in the Christmas's to come.

You remind me so much of myself in home videos that I watch when I was your age.  You talk nonstop and surprisingly are quite bossy.  You love to tell us what to do and how to do it.  You even direct me while driving.  Like I said before, your memory is amazing.  You already know your address.  When we pull onto our road you say "this is Wintergreen Drive, where I live." and you proceed to tell us the # and town if asked.  Recently we were driving and you hollered out, "there's my doctors office mommy," and sure enough, you were right.  We have only been there twice in the last year so for you to know that blows my mind.  You also told me randomly this past month, "my doctors office is in Westbrook....the park we go to is in Westbrook."  And sure enough you were right again.   I don't even know if I've told you that directly, so you obviously listen to everything I say.  

We have been working on our colors, shapes, numbers and ABC's for months and months now.  You could say your colors for the past year but just recently you are able to tell them all a part which is huge.  You know your shapes including "octagon and hexagon".  You can count to 20 on your own (with a little help in the teens) and you know your ABC's almost perfectly.  I think you have quite the photographic memory.   I love how you get excited about learning.  You are a little sponge and everyday you ask to read your "school books" which are the books we get out only for learning when mommy's with you.  When we ask you how to spell your name you say, "E-L-I....jklmnop" :)  You just add it in like it's part of the alphabet!

I love to hear your little voice sing and your imagination at work.  You have just recently started "pretending" more on your own and it's such a joy to watch you in action.  You talk to your stuffed animals like they are your friends and you tell them what you are doing.   I catch you singing your own little songs while playing in your playroom.  This past week you were praying one night and you asked Jesus for a "little sister" without us saying anything to you.  I think you watch your little friends with their siblings and it makes you want one to have as a playmate as well.   Hopefully soon, your wish and desire will come true my little man, whether it's a little brother or sister :)

As of a few months ago we have experienced a little fear and separation anxiety over a few things.  I know this is normal for your age but totally new to our family.  We have been trying to help you face your fears and deal with that which scares you.  I am so proud of you and the way you have been facing your fears even when it's uncomfortable.  It's not always easy to reason with you in the moment, but we have had some major breakthrough lately.  Even today you went to children's church without crying and having a melt down.  You told us on the way, "mommy, I be a good boy today at church."   You have such a sweet little spirit.  You love to pray and you tell me every morning when you wake up that you had good dreams last night.  You proceed to tell me that Jesus came to visit you in your dreams and he stands in your room next to your bed.  I truly believe that even at your little age, you have a real understanding of who Jesus is.  I couldn't ask for anything more.  This blesses me so much to see and hear you talk about Him all the time.   When I don't feel good, your first reaction is to come over to me, put your hand on my head and pray.  It brings tears to my eyes every time.  The one fear we are trying to overcome right now is going to bed alone.  This is very new as of this week, because before now you have gone to bed with no complaining.  You are such a great sleeper and always have been since you were born.  We just recently transitioned you to your "big boy" bed so I know in time, the transition will get better. 

You have two friends, Griffin and Quaid, that you talk about all the time.  You love them and you love having play dates with them.  It's funny because at this age, you don't know how to play together all the time, but it means the world to you to just be in the same room and playing with toys.  We are working on sharing.  It's definitely a work in progress but you are catching on to what it is to show love when doing this.  Today you were proud of yourself and you purposely came over to me and said, "i'm sharing mommy."  You help me babysit little baby Eli every week and it has been the best learning experience for you in the sharing department.  You are able to see what it is to share your mommy time with another little one and to have your toys being played with on a regular basis by someone else.    You love having baby Eli around and you constantly are saying, "baby follow me, watch this, i'll show you something."  It's very cute!

It seems like once you turned 2, you were totally into potty training full force.  It's been awesome since we only have to use 1 diaper at nap and at night now.  You are officially potty trained during the day and you are very proud of yourself.  We've had another breakthrough in the potty department this week, for the past 5 days you have gone #2 on the potty everyday instead of your pants.  I know this might be too much TMI but at your age, it's a BIG deal.  You tell me, "mommy, please leave, I need to poop."  I think you might be a reader on the pot because you sit there for a while before you ask me to come back in.  You make me laugh non stop! 

The one thing that melts my heart on a daily basis is when you randomly come up to me and put your arms around me.  Your favorite phrase is, "i love you so much."  I never get tired of hearing your little voice say that to me a million times a day.  You are a little lover boy.  You love giving people hugs and telling them you love them.   Even today at church we said to say goodbye and you went up to a random woman you've never met and you put your hands out to give her a big hug and say good bye.  You could tell that it made her day.  You then made your rounds to everyone else.  I love how social you are and how loving you are to even people you do not know.  You definitely know how to show Jesus' love!  You are an example to me!

Well, I could go on and on, but I'll leave it for the next time I blog. Eli, I can't even begin to express what an honor it is to have been chosen to be your mommy and raise you.  I never knew that my heart could expand with the capacity to love as it has for you!  Thank you little man for the abundance of joy that you bring to your mommy and daddy.  The Lord has given us such a treasure in YOU! 

Love you so much,
Mommy