Five. Already??

Below are some excerpts from birthday posts for Max since 2010. 

April 11^th, 2010 – Birth Day

Our lives have been changed. We are busy, some days we are covered up in chaos. We are unorganized and tired but as I sit here nine weeks after our son was born, finally finishing this post, I am staring at him sound asleep in his swing and know that no matter how messy my bedroom is or how little sleep I’ve had for the last nine weeks, I don’t know how we managed to live so long without him!

February 4^th, 2011 – 365 Days

In the past 365 days I’ve learned that I’m not a perfect Mother, wife or friend. I’ve learned that I have a lot to learn about all three of those roles but I’ve also learned that when I look at the amazing blessing that we call Max, when he smiles, laughs, “talks” and even cries none of that matters because I am the perfect mother for him.

February 4^th, 2012 – Two Much Fun

I never knew how much I would miss getting up in the middle of the night.  I never knew how sweet (and funny) it would be to hear a now two year old Max call us from his bed in the mornings.  I never knew just how much fun toddler boys have.  I never knew how imaginative he would be at two years old.  I never knew that a kid could have so much fun feeding himself.  I never knew how precious it would be to hear him say "Sowwy." I never knew he would love books this much.  I never knew he would melt my heart with, "MOMMY HERE!" when I pick him up at daycare.  I never knew how much he would adore all of the people in his life, including the dog.  I never knew how contagious his belly laugh was.  I never knew I would have this much love in my heart for TWO children!  

February 6^th, 2013 – Terrible 3’s

Then along came Max.  Max had a different learning plan for me.  He wanted me to know the error of my ways.... In a BIG way.  He wanted me to question my ability to raise a boy.  He wanted me to wonder why on earth a kid who has anything he could ever need and more love than he could ever imagine would be having a major meltdown over whether or not the ketchup should go ON the burger or on the plate.  He wanted me to question all of my preconceived notions about little boys and their parents.  He wanted me to wonder how little boys are built with a mechanism in their brain that forced them to laugh at the noises their bodies can make.  I'd like to think he also wanted me to wonder how a three year old has such an incredible imagination and sense of adventure.  He wanted me to learn the art of letting go of things that don't matter.  He wanted me to learn that rain boots are perfectly acceptable attire.  Day or night. Rain or no rain.  He wanted me to learn that stalling at bedtime is just another way of saying, "I love you."  He wanted me to learn that smelly boy kisses and hugs are some of the best kisses and hugs there are and he wanted me to learn that I love you much, MUCH!  Means a love bigger than I would have ever imagined a three year old boy could love.  

February 5^th, 2014 - And Then He Was Four

As I reflect on the last four years and how different my experiences were with each child, I can't help but think I somehow managed to be the luckiest person I know TWICE!  I ended up with two wonderful and incredible children who make my day brighter just by being here.  They are bright, sensitive, good natured and kind.  They are funny, warm and loving and they both make me want to be a better parent in two very different ways. 

Today -

Where did five years go??  No really.  Where??  Where is that sweet baby that rushed into the world in just under five hours, 3 weeks early, a bald head and a set of lungs that could alert the neighbors?  Where did that chubby –cheeked toddler go?  The one who loved his Elmo to a raggedy mess, who could fall asleep with a smile on his face and wake up the same way.  Where did that absolutely adorable two year old go?  The one who gave me the biggest break of my 30’s and potty trained by his second birthday, who constantly made us laugh at all the things that were going through his tiny mind and routinely thanked God for his “everybodies” during his prayers.  I actually don’t want to know where the 3 year old Max went, but am thankful for the learning opportunities he provided us.  

The four year old (at least for a little while longer) Max is tucked in his bed after we snuggled up in the glider that we’ve been reading books in, singing, rocking and chatting in for the last five years.   I told him the story of the night he was born for the hundredth time and he laughed and laughed that the labor and delivery nurse was named Tootie.  He truly is a boy…  Four year old Max is an avid reader.  He is kind, funny and smart.  He is friendly, loving and most of the time completely adorable.  He is full of wonder, laughter and is everything we could have ever wished for in our little guy. 

Four year old Max will be five in just a couple of hours.  Together he and I barely fit in that glider anymore, but the thought of us NOT sitting in that chair every night brings tears to my eyes.  He told me the other night that he will never be too big to snuggle with me in that chair, he wants to sleep in his fire truck bed until he is twenty-seven and will always live in our house and never wants to leave.  Tonight, I think all of those things are perfectly incredible ideas! 

 Dear Max,

On your fifth birthday I want you to know that I think you are absolutely awesome!  Thank you for the very best year full of new challenges, lots of laughter and more fun than I ever thought I would be having.  I cannot wait to see what your 5^th year will be like and am so happy  and feel so incredibly blessed that I get to be a part of it!  I love you much, much!!

Love,

Mommy