For Noah as He Turns 3

Oh my sweet Noah,

I just love May 2nd. This is the day you were born. That's the day you came to us. It is my favorite day of the year. This year's birthday is a real treat because you actually understand what is going on. But this year, it is also a little bittersweet. I feel a little sad...

It makes me so sad to say goodbye to the baby in you. We have relished every minute of your baby days since the moment they wheeled you into our private waiting room at the hospital in Florida. You have been a joy. Just pure joy. And even the less- than - joyous moments have moved us to grins and satisfaction just to be making those memories with you. But your turning 3 years old this coming Saturday marks the end of an era in your life and mine. While you will always be my baby, it is so clear that you are not a baby anymore. You are my little boy. And while I will miss your baby face and walk and talk, I have come to love every day of your development lately and I eagerly anticipate the days that are coming as you awake to the big world around you. Your daddy and I have come to cherish and hang on each and every new word, reaction, preference, and strength you display. You are such a special and pleasing little boy.

Already you are learning and developing in significant ways. You are facing the need to stand up for yourself with your peers sometimes and this causes you to respond in several ways - some good, some not so good. But you are learning the self-control it takes to stop yourself before you pinch, push, or pull hair. You have come alive to learning about Jesus and what he teaches and you are reliable to talk and talk and talk about what you learn. You are sensitive to other people's emotions and you are learning about compassion, sharing, apologies, care-taking, courage, independence, anger, and worry. You are learning about obedience, especially obeying the first time you are told to do something. You are eager to help everyone you can. You are learning to speak kindly and to use a million new words. You are becoming aware of the effect your actions and words have on others. You have made a special friend at school whom you are always so eager to see. Katie makes you laugh and I love that you like that about her. You are naturally practicing fairness and sacrifice and giving to others. You are learning manners and getting braver talking to strangers when they greet you. More than anything, I adore watching you solve problems ... like getting Anna to stop crying, maneuvering your cars, reaching things up high, finding the remote control for me, opening candy wrappers, playing on the computer with Daddy, and experimenting with anything electronic or with buttons. You just branch out and touch and understand so much more every day. As your mommy, I am praying for protection over your mind, your eyes, and your heart as you come into contact with new things, people, and situations every day that I cannot always protect you from. And I am learning with you what I should intervene in and what I should let you handle on your own. It is so hard to fight the urge to make everything easier for you.

Everyday I see more of the quick and strong boy coming out of you as you stretch your curious and courageous wings. You love being outside watching people and cars and bugs, driving your car (with no hands, and eyes closed - Lord help us!) , wearing out the knees in your jeans while you draw with chalk or picking up rocks and sticks or flowers for me. You enjoy throwing anything you can - especially into a pond or stream, and you like running, climbing, swinging, and pushing Anna in her stroller. You love playing chase, planes, and hide-n-seek. And lately you are learning to pedal your tricycle, kick with more strength, and keeping up with the boys next door, Brandon and Baron, whom you are always thrilled to play with. We have not had to go to the emergency room for any serious injury yet for you, but I tremble to know that that day is probably coming.

As all little boys do, you have a silly side. You make us laugh and laugh and laugh. Sometimes it is just your amusement at the gas you create. Other times it is with the fierceness and firm tone you try to take. Many times it is the giggles that come as you attempt to sing a new song, try a new dance move, or get stuck under or on top of whatever you are climbing on. You think it is hysterical to push on our bellies and lately you can't stop making funny faces...even on Anna's face (nevermind that she cries b/c you are pinching her cheeks too hard). Just yesterday when I was driving too fast you warned me to "Show down (slow down), mommy, show down!" You ask us to play hide and seek , but then you tell us where you will be hiding and tell us where to hide, too. You count like this : 2, 9, 7, 8, 9 10. And you do it so matter of factly. And I am sure we will never tire of your enthusiasm for the ritual of "stinky feet".

In other 3 year old news, we just moved you to a booster seat from your high chair that you loved for so long. We also just finally got you to start getting out of your bed on your own. You really fought taking that step, but now it is so clear what a thrill it gives you to be that independent. And your latest obsession is going to the carwash with your Daddy. You talk about it all the time and you remind us how long before the next time. You always say "2 weeks" because you don't really understand time anyway. If you did, you would understand that it is about TIME to wrap up the potty training...but I will be patient with you. I have not forgotten how you have taken your time with all the growing milestones along the way. And really, I don't mind. I know you are growing up faster than I realize. And I try and try and try to capture so many of all these little details of you, to remember my baby boy - just as you are today. Here are some other pieces of trivia about you that I have been saving to describe you as you turn three.

NOAH TURNING THREE:
People still stop us to talk to you and coo over you or your hair
You say a lot of words with a lisp that I hope is just a phase
You JUST started wearing size 2T clothes
You only weigh 30 lbs. so far
You are only in the 5th %ile for height
You possess patience, take turns, wait well for things
You accept being told "no"
You have eagle eyes for spotting odd/ small details
Your favorite place in the world is Monkey Joes
Your favorite color is black...you always color in black
You have a quick memory and logical reasoning
You are learning to use the keyboard and mouse already
You aspire to be like Jesus in all things: a real WWJD enthusiast
At bedtime we watch videos on the computer, brush your teeth, get you into pjs and give you your medicines, read Bible Songs, Bible Storybook, The Goodnight Train, and The Going To Bed Book, wind up your Mickey Mouse snow globe, turn on your nightlight, sound machine, and cd player and turn out the light. And lately you like us to play with your hair, too.
You know each of your meds and remind us to give them to you
You are tender and thoughtful with your sister - you stroke her face, pet her head, kiss her nose, hug her neck, brush her hair, bring her toys, play with her, make her laugh, and even wipe her nose....more than she needs it
You're a little over half potty trained
You like to have your bear Calvin lay down at nap/bedtime
You still loves bubbles as much as when you were 1
You still like to touch and count people's eyes
You are a restless sleeper and you sleeptalk
You still don't say "yes." You say " Awight" instead.
Your favorite shows are Caillou, Caillou, and more Caillou
You are amused to say Daddy's name: Dosh
You are still terribly grumpy after a nap
Your favorite activities: cars, balls, balloons, trains, outside
Your favorite toy: VTECH voice recorder you call "Noah Show"
You do not appreciate it when we laugh at you
The spray water at the hair salon freaks you out
You always get me a blanket when I lay down on the couch
You murmur through books we read to you like you're reading too
You have learned so many new words this year
You wants to do many things yourself, but end up needing help
You think any and all words on signs, shirts, screens are ABCD
You can somewhat sing almost all of the ABC's
You say "Chew Me" (excuse me) when you toot, burp, or need to get around someone
You always expect me to read title pages, copyrights, and dedications in your books
You have begun to get a little sassy in your tone at times
You like for me to tickle your back and arms
You can burp on command...repeatedly
Your laugh is infectious...it's hard not to laugh along with you
You want to see/touch Anna first thing in the morning and after all her naps
You are a wonderful big brother and you entertain Anna better than anyone
Your teachers' names this year were Ms. Jill and Ms. Valerie
We LOVE Ms. Valerie and we wish we could keep her for you
You newest monster truck is called Grave Digger (oh where did my baby boy go?)


Noah, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you. Can't wait to take you to the zoo on Saturday! Happy Birthday, Baby!