8/9/16

Three Years

Dear Ellis-
Today you officially turn three. What a wonderful three years we have had together. It is hard to believe you are already three, but it also feels like I blinked my eyes and poof, you're three. It seems to have flown by, yet I cannot remember life without you. You are so much a part of me and who I am. Our family often revolves around you. 

You might be a little spoiled, but I don't think it is damaging you too badly. You had a great birthday party in Wisconsin a little over a week ago. You loved being the center of attention. Your birthday cake was made possible by my aunt Linda and cousin Shannon. They made it a custom Thomas the Train cake. It had five glow in the dark mini trains. It was so colorful and delicious. You loved it and told Papa you were eating his cake!!! Always a tease!

You played all afternoon with my cousin's son, Crane, who is only a few months older than you. You both play well together even if you sometimes fight. You played with my other cousin's daughter's dolls and stroller for much of the time. The rest of the time you were chasing each other and squealing outside. 

Grandma Sue has always spoiled you and she was the one who thought we should have the whole family over to celebrate your birthday and meet your new baby sister. It was a very fun day. 

You are always loved by everybody you meet. You are one of the friendliest kids I've ever met. You say hi to strangers. I always wonder if I should step in and have the stranger danger talk with you but I feel I also don't want to stop you from loving and respecting all the humans you meet. It is one of your characteristics that I often find myself wishing I'd be better at myself. As an adult, I am often more judgemental and shy. 

You have been loving our visit to Wisconsin. You have played so hard that you often are asleep by the time we get back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. You love your cousin Chloe and all of her cousins too. They all know you, which again surprises me because I barely can recall any of their names. You have been playing lots with their toys, which are often girls toys, but you haven't been ruined by society's expectation that you only should play with cars and balls. In so many ways you are not trapped in a box of expectation like us adults are. You are still excited about the small things we often take for granted. 

I laughed as you ran through the Salt Lake airport saying things to the other travelers like: "look another airplane!" and "I'm riding on airplane today!"  I like to watch how other people react to your enthusiasm and how most of them smiled and laughed as you quickly whizzed by them on your way to see more airplanes. I think we were all reminded that it actually is a pretty cool and amazing thing to be able to travel quickly around the world thanks to airplanes. 

I am very tired lately(parenting babies is hard work)and I often feel like I am bad at giving you all the attention you need, but you don't ever love me less. You always need a kiss on your skinned knees(you got a doozie while out to dinner the other night) and will always take a cuddle as you drift off to sleep. You are a sweet little boy and I love being your mom. 

May you always find awe in the small things and be looking for adventures daily(you said: "I want to go on adventure" every day that Andi and Grandma were with us visiting after baby sister was born!). You will always be my little Bugaboo. I always learn more about life and living through your little eyes than I am teaching you. I love you and hope this year is a great one for you. May we fill it with adventure and awe. 

Happy birthday, my sweet boy! I love you!!

Mommy.