Dear Xander,
It’s a bit past midnight after your fourth birthday. Four years ago at this time, I was laying in a hospital bed, being monitored for heart problems after your birth. My heart ached all night to hold and snuggle you. Thankfully you have an amazing daddy, who cared for you so well that first night of your life. The next afternoon I finally was able to come back to the maternity ward and it was the greatest feeling. I loved you then as much as I love you now. Your sweet smile and big blue eyes make my heart so happy. Your an amazing little boy, filled with so much spirit.
This has been quite a busy year for you. About a month after your third birthday you finally realized that cereal is pretty tasty. Then in March we explored a museum at Solmon’s Island. You had so much fun bravely climbing up to the top of the lighthouse. Also in the spring you helped celebrate Noah’s first birthday. I loved watching you help Noah open his presents. He couldn’t ask for a better big brother. When the weather warmed up in late spring, you loved running through the huge spray park at Andrews Air Force Base. Then we enjoyed a day at North Beach with Heather and Careena.
The summer was filled with fun, sadness, and adventure. You learned about saying good-bye to a beloved pet when our kitty Emma passed away in the summer. Then in July you earned the toy you have been lusting over for months now, a green light sabre, when you mastered using the potty. I know you will not realize just how happy we were when this happened until you have kids of your own. But trust me, it’s pretty amazing!
In the fall, you had so much fun shopping for and dressing as your favorite superheros from Batman to Captain America. I shared my love of fall colors with you on various fall nature walks and taught you about tree moss. We also travled to New England, where you visited family and went fishing for the first time. We also welcomed a new kitty into our family, Kaylee, which you happily named.
After eating nothing but turkey and cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, you jumped full force into helping decorate the house for Christmas. Your spirit for everything Christmas is amazing and wonderful. Every night when we returned from a long day at work and daycare the first thing you asked was for me to turn on the Christmas tree. When the holidays ended you, reluctantly helped put away all the decorations. Don’t worry my boy Christmas will return sooner than you think.
Most recently we all experienced a very scary car accident and our car, the one you nicknamed Ironhide, was towed away from the scene of the accident. I am always amazed about how you remember the smallest of details. Even now, weeks after the accident, you haven’t forgotten that our car is being fixed and daddy has to drive a rental. I love watching you learn. You have learned so much this year at daycare and home including your colors, the ABC song, recognizing letters and counting.
At the age of four, you have a passion for all things superheros, Transformers, and your latest obsession is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. You love to color, paint, and be read to at bedtime by your daddy. You can only fall asleep with your fish aquarium and your Twilight Turtle. Your favorite foods are pepperoni pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and watermelon.
All these little facts may not seem that important to you, but they are to me. I don’t want to forget the details of right now. Time goes by much too quickly. Your childhood slipping away from me faster than I want. My hopes and dreams for you in the coming year is that you will laugh, play, learn, and be you. I can’t wait to see what the year brings for you!
Thank you for being my little boy. Four years ago my life changed in a way I could never imagine. You make even the rainy days brighter. I love you!
Love,
Mommy
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Awww…so sweet! Hard to believe we have 4 year olds! Happy Birthday Xander!!!!!
Twitter: Coastiewife321
February 17, 2013 at 5:21 PM
So sweet, I love this! And it’s too funny because I was actually going to do the exact same thing for Amber, I just haven’t gotten a spare moment to yet
What a fun and happy year (for the most part) I hope his 4th year is an absolutely wonderful one as well!
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Twitter: myleilaland
February 17, 2013 at 6:40 PM
What a sweet way to recap his year.
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