Last night you fell asleep in our bed (you almost always do) and I carried you up stairs, tucked you in and kissed your forehead. You weren't even there an hour before you were crawling back in bed with me. Honestly, I didn't even mind. I know that one day you won't come down anymore. One day you will stop needing me in the middle of the night. You will sleep in your bed all night just like your brothers do (notice I didn't say sister). So last night, I just snuggled you and enjoyed you still being my baby boy.
I have learned that the firsts in a child's life are obvious and celebrated, but the lasts usually go unnoticed until one day it hits you that something has stopped but you don't know exactly when it happened. Lasts are often subtle that way. It is probably that by design...
You are wonderful. You are smart, funny, and dangerously coordinated. I have never seen a three year old wipe around on a bike the way you do. Your soccer touches are also pretty incredible and I love to watch your determination when you are learning something new. In school you know your numbers and have started addition and telling time. You can write all your numbers too, but sometimes you will still ask, "What does a ___ look like." Your favorite book while you were three was Old Hat New Hat, but you have started to pick some new ones lately. Our favorite Jonah expression is, "do it by my own" and we hear it a lot because you are very independent and want to do most things that way.
Your smile gets you out of trouble more often than it should, but your cocky laugh has the reverse effect. Usually, you are independent and fearless, but that can quickly crumble into tears if I am too far away. I love that you still need me, and I always try to respond quickly because I believe your childhood should feel secure and safe. You love to do anything with the big boys, and you love to play "mom and kid" with Scarlett. You love Skylar, but you also love to "big brother" her and lately it seems to be you life's mission to wake her up from everyone of her naps. But as three year old siblings go, she is pretty lucky, and I know you two will have lots of fun and get into lots of trouble together.
There is nothing better than a Jonah prayer and it is clear from listening to them that you know that Jesus loves us and that you love Him. You are also the honorary food blesser and while you may not be the baby anymore, you clearly get "Baby Boy" status.
I don't have the time to blog like I once did, but I couldn't let this Sunday pass without recording what is in my heart today. One day I hope you read this and know how intensely you are loved, how blessed I feel to be your mom, and what a special part of this family you are! I thank Heavenly Father each night that I got another day with you! Happy 4th Birthday, Jonah Michael!!
