Five (x2) ... (and 2.5)

Dear Tyler,

My happy boy ... the sweetest soul, full of joy and laughter.  You are such a ham.  You are the classic "otter" personality (from the personality plus philosophy) meaning that your number one priority is FUN.

The other day, you read me your first book.  I was SO proud of you!  It was one of the BOB books.  I asked if you wanted to take it to school to read it to your teachers.  You said, "No thanks.  If I do that, I may miss some of the FUN at school."  You crack me up.  You didn't want to miss one single minute of the fun of the school day going on around you.

When you were three, I told you that you had to wait until you were five to watch Star Wars.  That seemed SOOOOO far away ... I honestly can't believe that we are already here.  Not possible.  I remember this night, 5 years ago ... I was so miserable coming up on 24 hours of labor that I thought I would never make it.  Thankfully, we all made it through to see the best morning of my life, 9:31 on January 11, 2008.  My first words in meeting you were, "He's so beautiful."

Now, 5 years later, I still see that gorgeous face and now I get to hear your sweet contagious laugh, I get to chuckle at the hilarious things you say, and I get to watch you try your very best to please daddy and I.  You are definitely a pleaser, and you love to make us happy.  I had never appreciated that about you until Gavin came along ... he taught me to value that trait in you so much.

You love your bro, and you are so sweet to him (well, usually).  Sometimes you get him dressed all by yourself (and he even matches).  It's the cutest thing.

You can't wait to watch Star Wars on the night of your 5th birthday.  You called uncle Marc to invite him to watch it with you.  It will probably be one of the highlights of daddy's time as a daddy (daddy's are silly like that).

Tyler, I am so proud of the big boy that you are becoming.  You are starting to ride without training wheels, you are starting to read, you finish my sentences (often with something smarter than I would have said), and you are your own little man.  I love you with every piece of me.  My favorite times with you are when we snuggle in your bed and you tell me your secrets, ask me your questions, and inevitably make me laugh.  We are entering the era of "school aged" and quickly will be leaving "preschooler" behind.  It seems like just last night I was rocking you to sleep, smelling that sweet baby smell and thinking nothing could be better.  Now, I know that everything just gets better and better with each new thing you do and with all that you become.  I love you, my sweet boy.

Lastly, did you know ... when I was pregnant with you, God spoke two things to me about you?

FOR TYLER:  1) Joy.  2) For God's Glory.

Absolutely, Lord.  Right as always.

~ Mommy

So ... 5 years ago, a few doors down at Good Sam Hospital ... this little gentleman just arrived as well.  Just completely crazy that these two best buds were literally neighbors at birth.  They probably met in the newborn nursery at some point during their first two days.  Now, they spend every single afternoon playing together.  Too perfect.  A very happy 5th birthday to you Isaac.

And my sweet G,

Two-and-a-half today.  You are officially no longer a baby.  And you are half way to five … is it bad to say THANK GOODNESS?  Honestly sir, if you had to stay an honry two-year-old forever, I think I’d lose my skin.  You can wrassle with the best of ‘em J.  You are feisty, stubborn, and one of the most strong willed children I have ever met. 

At the same time … you can charm the armor off an iron-clad knight.  God gave you those gorgeous  blue eyes for a reason.  Just when I think I can’t put up with one more stink from you, you snuggle up to me with that amazing grin and those sparkling eyes and softly whisper in my ear,

“Mommy, I love you.”

Oh G, you sweet thing, you melt my fiery heart (fiery from the way you enrage it with your temper, stubbornness, and defiance … maybe a little too close to home for this mommy to like, haha!). 

Yes, your temperment definitely reminds me of my own.  Still to this day when I set my mind to something, not much is stopping me, and if I smile big enough, I can usually get what I want :).  So keep it up big man … keep giving mommy and daddy a run for their money because you keep life a little extra spicy and fun. 

Your little voice is just adorable.  You are talking up a storm and speaking your opinion more than ever.  I eat it up when you say things like, “Ty-wew, dat’s mine and you don’t take it Ty-wew.”  You love your binky, you love your blankey and your night-night bed, you love muppets, you love music, you LOVE music and guitar (SO MUCH), you love to run, you love your friends, you love school, you love milk, you love snuggles, and you love Mr. Peabody our cat.  

We all love you, Gavin version 2.5.  I think you may be losing some of the blondeness of your hair, but I hope you never lose that spunk.  You keep the twinkle in my eye.  Meeting you, my darling G, was the best AFTERNOON I have ever had. 

All my love to my two sweet boys …

~ Mommy.