Fourth Birthday Letter

Gone are the days of those teeny tiny little infants that would lay on our chests and sleep for hours.  No longer can I carry them in a sling, or place them in a bouncy seat to ‘get stuff done’.  I am sad that I can’t remember exactly what it feels like to hold those fragile little babies or smell that newborn baby smell.  I treasure the memories, old and new, of these special times.  I want to file away the times that you gazed into my eyes with a look that said “I trust you.  I need you.”   Those first few weeks were filled with nerves and anxiety, with hospitals, doctors and nurses…and with complete love and adoration. The four of us became an instant family. 

 

I remember how Marley screamed her head off the moment she was pulled from my tummy and Merrick was quiet and still, so much so that I yelled, “why isn’t he crying?!  Make him cry!”  {funny, this first day was a good indication of how your personalities would be}  It amazes me now when I look at your little personalities and think…God knew from the start who they were and who they would become.   When I finally (a day later) was able to meet my babies I cried quietly and softly said “Hi baby girl. I know you.” And although I couldn’t yet hold my critical baby boy, I reached my hand through that incubator hole and whispered, “don’t worry, mommy’s here.” 

So much has changed and you are now big four year olds.  My hope is that in the words of this blog, I can one day sink back into the memories of exactly what you were like at 4 years old and treasure those like I currently treasure the memories of the last 4 years with you both.

Marley still our little peanut, still our little organizer, still our little CEO

Affectionately refers to herself as “the little one” and talks about her “baby feet”
Lover of Butter noodles & Plain bread
26 lbs…of bossiness, decisiveness and beautiful spirited girl
Size 18 month shorts/jeans; 24month – 2T shirts & dresses
Perfectionist, opinionated

Likes alone time, although she doesn’t talk about it, you can tell in her actions she appreciates it

Loves to ‘play’ tea party with you, but doesn’t let you do anything, you more or less just watch her play…but she wants you there
Says some of the best prayers – thoughtful prayers
CEO of our nighttime routine.  She dictates the order in which we can say our prayers, “mommy, what were you thankful for today?”  “mommy, what is one thing that made you happy today?”  “mommy, who do you want to pray for today?”  The order typically goes…Merrick, mommy, daddy, Marley.  Marley always goes last.
Want your hair to be super long like Rapunzel
Is a ballerina…and LOVES it
Loves everything girlly…jewelry, painting her fingernails, princesses, dresses
Also has a tomboyish side and can toss Merrick on the ground when necessary
Wants to be a princess when she grows up
Favorite color is pink
Favorite phrase: thank thank thank (think think think); Mommy I need you
Can literally recite the entire book ‘Pinkalicious’ word for word
You are working on not sucking your fingers anymore…and you are doing really good!  You will wake up in the morning and say, “mommy, I think I accidentally sucked my fingers last night” in the saddest voice.

You are spunky, spirited and downright stubborn…and other times your smile can light up a room and your sweetness melt my heart.  Don’t EVER change your personality…over the years I pray that you learn to “let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt” Colossians 4:6

Merrick  Has a thirst for knowledge
Loves playing board games and doing puzzles – favorite game currently is Chutes & Ladders
Lover of Mac n cheese & PB&J
Neevvaahhh (never…when he is trying to say no, he will instead yell neeevaahhh)
Loves to cook, I call him “little chef”.  Favorite things to make – Waffles & Zucchini Cupcakes  
Starting to like spicy things, or at least likes to try them – likes jalapeño chips
36 lbs…of sweet, sensitive boy

When he gets in trouble, it hurts his heart.  He gets really sad and upset when we are upset with him.
Pretty much size 4T all around
Loves his tablet – favorite games – Angry Birds Space/Star Wars & Subway Surfers
Favorite phrase: I love you (the boy tells me he loves me ALL the time!  And I love it!), keep it easy squeezy
Favorite toy: remote control car, board games
Savors alone time with mommy & daddy – we call it special time
Favorite color is blue
still working on potty training at night (sorry for documenting buddy, we might want to look back at this later)
Avid Christian…not sure I can say that yet, but he is already discipling at school so much that they have to redirect his conversations to not be about Christianity…{so proud}
Wants to be a penguin when he grows up
Wants to have 16 kids when he grows up
Lover of space, the moon and planets

You are rough and tumble and sometimes need help controlling your larger than life personality (no worries, you get it honestly from your daddy), other times your thoughtfulness and tenderness utterly amaze me.  Your heart is bigger than this earth and deeper than the ocean…please don’t ever change that.  Even when kids tease you and say you are a mama’s boy or too sensitive…know in your heart that it’s an amazing quality that your wife will one day cherish your kindheartedness!  “Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5

You both

… love reading bible stories and singing Bless The Lord Oh My Soul

…have slept in the same room since you came home from the hospital

…Fight often and love each other even more

…Melt my heart when you help each other or encourage each other 

…are perfectly designed by God

…are loved {SO MUCH} by your daddy and I

Happy fourth birthday my love, my loves