Dear Daniel,
I cannot believe you are two years old already. Happy Birthday, sweet boy! I love you so much! You have given me the happiest role in the
world and that job is “mother.” I never
imagined I would love being a mother so much.
I never imagined that giving up my place in the work world, my
professionalism, and my regular adult conversations would make me so happy, but
it has. You have. I have loved every minute of the past two years
I have been able to be home with you – well, maybe those minutes where your leg
was broken and you had Hand, Foot, Mouth disease could be traded, but I’ve
loved all the rest.
I’ve also loved Year 2 with you so much. I feel like your first year was a learning
experience for both of us. You were
learning to just be in the world, and I was learning how to be a mom. Year 1 was filled with so many questions and
second guesses and missteps. Year 1 was
spent getting to know one another. This
year has been so different. You are my
little buddy and my best side kick. Your
personality is shining even more clearly, and I love seeing you become the
person God has created you to be.
Here is what I see in you, Daniel Thomas: I see a heart so
big and with so much love. Dad and I
jokingly call you our little “St. Bernard.”
You are a giant in your enthusiasm, personality, and love for
others. You are an extravert to the
max. One day last week, we had a morning
and an afternoon playdate with friends, and by the time your dad got home, you
were totally jazzed about your day – dancing around the living room and
singing. It is true what the books say
about extraverts – their energy comes from time with people. You laugh loudly and often, and you love
being silly to get others to laugh – finding joy in the joy of others. You LOVE hugs. You always tell me that your favorite thing
about daddy and grandma and your preschool teachers are their hugs. You hug our phone or Ipad on Facetime to give
hugs to your long distance family members.
You hug your playdate and preschool friends to the point that it often
gets you in trouble or turns into a downright, roll on the ground, tackle. Oh our little St. Bernard.
Your love for others is also expressed so clearly in your
sympathy. You hate to see others hurt or
crying. It clearly bothers you when a
friend falls on a bike or someone is crying over hurt feelings. You’ve asked me about children over and over
whom you see crying in the parking lot at the YMCA. You have such a tender heart towards others,
and I love this about you.
You have started to talk this year, and when the doctor’s
office form for your 2 year old check up asked me to tell the number of words
you know, I wrote, “There is no way I could count the number he knows – it is a
lot.” You talk sooo much, and you know
words I’d never guess you would know.
One of your favorite phrases these days is “Sure, Mommy” as in “Sure,
I’ll pick up my toys.” It makes me smile
every time I hear it and makes me a little sad at how quickly you are
growing. I love chatting with you
throughout our days. We talk about
animals and family members and imaginary play activities. You are probably a “talker” because I talk so
much to you! I love watching you figure out how things work and become more
independent. Last week, you wanted a
snack before going to bed, so I told you to go downstairs and ask daddy for the
rest of your sandwich. You climbed down
from your bed, opened your door, shut it just before telling me with a pointed
finger, “Mommy, you nap” and ran down stairs to ask Daddy for the rest of your
dinner. I could hear your little feet on
the hardwoods, and I just smiled. And
felt a little teary at the big boy you are becoming.
I try not to be one of those parents who has unrealistic
views of her kids or proclaims them to be overly amazing, but it is your
birthday, so I feel like I have to take the time to tell you now that I DO
think you are pretty fantastic. I mean
it when I tell you that you are my favorite little boy in the whole world. It is true.
Not only do I love you with a depth I never knew possible, I also like
you a whole lot. I love the person God
has made you, and I pray that the traits I see in you now will continue to grow
and develop. I hope you never lose your
huge smile and your big laugh. I hope
your enthusiasm for others never dims. I
hope you always love people and love who they are. I hope you always feel sympathy for those who
are hurt or sad and work to ease their suffering. I pray that in these ways, God makes you his
hands and feet to the world. A light in
the darkness.
I love you so much, my sweet boy, and I am blessed and
honored beyond measure to be your Mom. I
can’t believe that God gave you to me.
Happy 2nd Birthday!
Love, Mommy
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