Dear Will...

Dear Will,

I cannot believe that you will be two years old this Friday!  I truly cannot put into words how magnificent these two years of being your mommy have been.  It has been six weeks since we brought Livi home from the hospital and you became a BIG brother!  

The days before we went to the hospital I looked at you and still saw my "baby"...but when we got home I realized that you were no longer a baby, but a bright eyed little toddler that was becoming more and more independent.  You did not transition to Livi as well as I had hoped, but six weeks later I can see how much you have matured and am already seeing what a wonderful big brother you're going to be to her.  You act annoyed with her when I have to feed her or tend to her...but when Livi cries you yell, "baby cry!"  I have even witnessed you trying to put her pacifier in her mouth for her...which I find to be quite adorable!  When you wake up in the morning and come downstairs you immediately begin looking for her in all of her usual spots-the bouncy seat, the swing...and if she's not there you run to our bedroom to look at her in her little rock and play.  I truly believe that you are already taking on the role of protector as her big brother and you want to make sure she's "okay".  

Easter morning before church...

You are talking up a storm lately and I love it!  You are starting to put two and three word sentences together too and some of them are rather amusing such as "baby poop".  You love to read books and your current favorites include "The Little Blue Truck", "Goodnight Moon"(you like to find the mouse on all of the colored pages), "Tractors" and "The Big Red Barn".  You have started asking to sing "Jesus"(for Jesus Loves Me) and "star" for twinkle twinkle a whole lot, and you even try to sing with us-Daddy loves to hear you sing!  You love all things machinery-diggers and bulldozers, and you love dirt and rocks, etc.  You are truly ALL boy!  

Your favorite foods are cheese, fruit snacks, tomatoes, and fruit.  You don't love meat but you will devour the roast beef out of an Arby's sandwich:)  You have just learned how to play Simon Says and it is so cute watching you play this-especially when you try to jump!  You love watching "The Wiggles" and you still love "Praise Baby".  The Wiggles are the first show you have ever sat down to watch and on occasion you will sit with me on the couch and snuggle with me to watch them. You still love your "puppies" and cannot sleep without them.  In addition to your puppies, you now have to sleep with "Mick Mick(Mickey Mouse) and "Poo Poo"(Pooh Bear) and "Haaavey"(which is a little chevron print dog that Neeno gave you that you named after her dog).  I am writing all of these specifics down because I know one day I will not remember all of the little things that made you who you are at this age.  I won't remember how fast you can slide down the stairs.  I won't remember you learning to count on your fingers.  I won't remember you getting so excited when you find the mouse on all of the pages of your book.  I won't remember how you hold up one finger and say "one morz" when you want another package of fruit snacks.  I won't remember the way you beat your little chest and say "pweeze" when you want something really badly.  I won't remember how many precious smiles you have.  I won't remember your fish face that you think is so funny.  I won't remember the way you say "hey mommy" and get right up in my face with your sweet little innocent grin after you've gotten in trouble for something.  I won't remember how precious you are when you "give love". I won't remember how sweet your voice sounds when you wake up and lightly yell "Mommy" and "Daddy" on the monitor.  I won't remember how perfect it feels to have you put your head on my shoulder when you're sleepy or sad.  I won't remember the cackle of a laugh you have when we tickle you or chase you.  All of these things that seem like such ordinary parts of our day now will one day be things that are difficult to recall.  It is so hard to remember every incredible detail of the seasons of your life so that is why I am choosing to write them down...so I can one day be taken back to this stage and picture all of the things that we are experiencing now. A few weeks back (about 2 weeks before Livi was born), you stayed with Neeno and Doc so we could get a few things done before she arrived.  I drove up to Birmingham to pick you up and when I got to their driveway, you were sitting next to Neeno with a bouquet of picked flowers and you came running to me with them and gave them to me...I will cherish those specific stories of you forever.   

Despite the fact that I know my memory will challenge me, what I know for sure is that I will not forget how much I have loved and adored you from the first time I saw you.  I loved you before you were born, but you literally stole my heart when I laid eyes on you...and you've been stealing it daily since.  I sometimes watch you and still cannot believe that you are ours!  I wonder how in the world we were so blessed to be given you!  I am blown away by God's goodness at the sight of you...and thank Him for entrusting you with us.  Daddy and I are smitten with you Will and we wouldn't change anything about our first two years with you.  Thank you for making our lives brighter each and every day!  Happy 2nd Birthday to our little "Will Bug!"
Love, Mommy