Less than Three

Dear Noah,

The title of this letter is a fun play on words. Because as of today we are less than three months away from you turning three. And you are still, in reference to age, less than three years old. Mommy’s clever isn’t she? (I’m sure the teenage you reading this will look at me, roll your eyes and give me some sort of “whatever mom” answer…but no matter. Right now, you DO think your mom is cool.)

Have I told you recently how much I love you? And how happy you make me? And how your sweet little smile, your goofy little faces and your endless laughter just melts my heart and makes my entire life worth living? I haven’t?! Well, then…Sometimes when you are in those exceptionally sweet and I totally dig my Mommy type moods, I can’t help but just drop everything and just be with you. You are growing up right before my eyes; and while it really breaks my heart to have to embrace the fact that you are getting big on me, I love that I get to experience this and be a part of your childhood.

You know one of the most important things you’ve taught me in your short little life, is to just live. I know that this is probably a concept that you won’t grasp until you are much older; maybe not even until you have kids of your own some day. But, I promise you, at some point in your life, you’re going to realize that all of the little things that seemed to wrap up your existence, just don’t mean that much. Whether it’s high school, college, or bad relationships…there are some things that just don’t matter.

You’ve opened my eyes up to a whole new world of thinking. And for that, your mommy will always be grateful. I hope that in your life, you realize that and that I’m able to show you and teach you about the importance of simple things and small joys. Materialism is overrated, kiddo. And, even though I know at some point you’ll fall into the traps of thinking that what you wear, what you drive and how you dress are the personifications that make you who you are, I sincerely hope and pray that you daddy and I raise you with a sense of appreciation for life’s overlooked blessings.

If you learn that earlier than I did in life, I will consider myself successful at this whole “motherhood” thing.

Hard to believe that your third birthday is right around the corner. It sure doesn’t seem like it. This month has brought personality changes and exciting (and hilarious) additions to your vocabulary.

You’re finally starting to understand that your name, is not “me.” I’m not really sure where you got that idea from, but whenever anyone asks you what your name is, you smile sweetly, point to yourself and say simply, “Name’s Me!” You, of course, are correct. You are you. But your name, is Noah. You know that, because you answer to it. You just haven’t quite put two and two together. Yet.

You’re starting to recognize emotions and tones in people’s voices. Just the other day, your daddy was worked up about something insignificant and you looked at him with the seriousness of death and said loudly: “Stop Daddy! Calm Down!” It broke the tension and cracked your daddy and me up completely. I don’t know if I’ve ever laughed so hard. You realize that we thought it was funny, so now whenever someone raises their voice (or when Tessa starts barking) you tell us all to just calm down. You, my sweet little boy, are so wise.

It’s still all about planes, trains and automobiles around here. And Toy Story. And Alvin & the Chipmunks (at least it is this week). Oh, and sports. Always, always sports. Football season is getting close and you’ve already started asking for College Game Day and “Ball Game” shows. Your daddy is so proud. You’re wearing a size 3T pants, 4T shirt, and a size 8 shoe. Seriously, could you STOP growing?

You were thrilled to get your hands on your new big boy shoes. You insisted on putting them on while we were still in the store, and when we got to the car you just sat and stared at them…repeating over and over again: My Big Boy Shoes. We took you to see Cars 2 a few weeks ago and you absolutely LOVED it. You sat perfectly still in my lap the entire time. We’re hitting up Kung Fu Panda 2 this week, too. I know you’ll be stoked.

Potty training is still going well. You have very few accidents (unless you count going #2…which I won’t discuss here, because I’m sure at some point that will “humiliate” you) and you totally rock out your big boy pants every day. Still wearing a pull-up at bedtime, but I’m not too worried about that. You still love your big boy bed (although we still have nights of fighting to get you to stay there…) and you’re still sleeping all snuggled up at night with your beloved Puppy Dog and your Toy Story “blank” (which is your word for blanket).

No brother or sister for you just yet, but all in due time. I know you’re excited about that new aspect of your little life (whenever it happens). You are so good with babies and so ridiculously sweet. You are really going to be an amazing Big Brother to whichever lucky little boy or girl God has waiting up there in heaven to send down to us.

I hope you always know how proud of you we are, son. No matter where life takes us, what paths you choose to travel down…we love you and your daddy and I are always, always here for you. Don’t ever forget where you come from, where your roots are and who cares about you the most (that would be, again, your father and me…in case you missed that).

We love you monkey man.

All my love, and then some…

Mommy

Linking this post up today to Shell’s Pour Your Heart Out!

*images courtesy of Simply B Photos.