one.  two.  three.  to me, three is that last year before you turn boy.  and while, i love boy, i’m clinging to baby.  it’s not that i don’t want you to grow up.  it’s just that i don’t want you to grow up.  i like your chubby hands and your sentences that need my interpretation.  you have the most sweet expressive face.  in fact, at times you close your eyes and raise your eyebrows when you are talking and i see my grandma.  89 to 3 and how would you know?  but, that is how this family thing works and how we carry each other in us.  when i see you and then i see her, i see wonder and magic and life in the fullest kind of way that carries innocence and wisdom hand in hand.

+  whenever i come home you say, “mommeeee you back!!!!!”  even if it’s just from the store.
+  you still call liam “EEum”
+  just like all the other boys, you love to yell, “hulk smash!”  always with your shirt off, of course.
+  your favorite shows are caillou, batman and daniel tiger.
+  when it comes to getting dressed, it’s aways the red or green jeans with a superman shirt.
+  there is no way for me to make breakfast, lunch or dinner without you helping me.
+  you will only eat and drink from the orange ikea bowl and cup.  orange is your favorite color.
+  you call theo the cat, “lilo.”
+  i always catch you saying hello to people.  you are so friendly.  and tell me, “dat my friend.”
+  “whats up roc?”  “good!”
+  you like to eat frozen waffles.  still frozen.

you are the exclamation point to our family (which is appropriate since most of your sentences end in them!).  you are relentless and rest.  and, all that is sweet and good and heaven breathed i see in your eyes.  but then again, your middle name means of the king, so why should i be surprised?  you’ve brought more love to my heart and i’ll give it all right back to you.

By Trina