Happy 3rd Birthday, Leyton!

Leyton,

For about a week now you have been saying " Next week, I'm gonna be free years old, I'm gonna be free years old!"

It is next week, and you are three years old.

I know no better way to describe you than an absolute mess. A smart, ferocious, precious, sweet, wild, bull-headed, defiant three year old. You are amazing. You have changed so much in a year and constantly wow me with everything you know.

About 6 months ago, we moved away from everything you knew as home. I was so worried as to how you would adapt, but I should have known better. You are absolutely thriving. You love being close to your grandparents and family (and getting spoiled rotten). You love "school." You practically run away from me every morning when we get there because you cannot get to your classroom fast enough. All the teachers tell me how smart and talkative you are. And when we pick you up you run as fast as you can to the church offices to say hey to everyone on staff. You are such a people person. No matter where we are whenever someone walks through the door you run to greet them and give hugs- whether you know them or not.

Right now, you love everything that has to do with choo-choo trains, especially Thomas the Train. You also love tractors, Lightning McQueen, 'Mater and anything else with a motor. You love to have dance parties with us in the living room, especially break dancing. You love to run in circles around the house saying 'get me!' while me or daddy chases you. You love to be tickled mercilessly. You love to play outside with your baseball tee and love going to the playground and the zoo. You love entertaining people. You are a very routined child in so many ways. You have to have things a certain way and no other way will do. You are so stubborn and defiant. Sometimes (most of the time), you do things just for the mere fact of challenging me and daddy. You get madder than a hornet and are capable throw a fit like none I have ever witnessed. When you get really mad, your shoes come flying off and even sometimes your clothes. Lately in the midst of your fits you will yell "Let me be happy!" This is both pitiful and hilarious at the same time.

You have begun doing so many 'big boy' things this past year and are getting so independent - telling us that you can do it "all by myself." You started using the potty, drinking from big boy cups, you moved from the high chair to a booster to now you insist on no booster. You also love to help me with chores, like the laundry or unloading the dishwasher. It is so cute to see you walking down the hall with a stack of towels to put away. It is bittersweet to see you grow up so quickly.

Every night before we go to bed, daddy and I come in your room to check on you and watch you sleep for a moment. It is so sweet to see my wild child be so still and peaceful. My favorite times of day with you are first thing in the morning and right before bedtime. It is the only times that you will curl up next to me and snuggle with your head on my shoulder and just be still. I hope you never outgrow that, but I know one day soon (too soon) you will.

Leyton, soon you are going to be a big brother. Can you believe it? Right now, you are 100% convinced that it will be a little brother. You refuse to even entertain the idea that it could possibly be a sister. When daddy asked you if you would be upset if it was a sister you said "No, I'm not gonna be sad because it's not a girl, it's a boy!" And you want to name the baby "Scooter Poo Poo." I'm so glad we have that settled. I cannot wait to see you in your new role. You will be an amazing brother. You will be able to teach our new little one so many things, and I know he or she will worship the ground you walk on.

Daddy and I are so proud of the little boy you are becoming. We love watching you grow and learn new things. There are so many things about you right now that I want to remember forever. I have always heard the phrase about feeling your heart swell and I never understood it until you. I sometimes can literally feel my heart swell with joy. I pray every night that God will help us guide you in the right direction. Speaking of prayer, sometimes during dinner you politely remind us that we need to pray. And when you pray, you keep it simple and pray for the choo choo trains and choo choo tracks.

I love you so much, sweet boy, I am so proud to call you mine. Happy, Happy Birthday!

"Today you are you! That is truer than true!
There is no one alive...who is you-er than you!
I am what I am! That’s a great thing to be!
If I say so myself,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!”

~Dr. Suess

Birthday Letter Year Two

Birthday Letter Year One