When you turn four

Dear Grace

Today you turned four.

FOUR!

My goodness.

I'm pretty sure every time there's a birthday in the world there is some parent having an existential crisis somewhere and thinking "Weren't you just a baby?", but seriously, weren't you just a baby?

When you turn four, it's different than your other birthdays. Your first birthday, you have no idea what's going on, but you sure do like smashing cake. When you turn two, you can maybe tell people it's your birthday, you can open presents and play with toys and put up two fingers when someone asks how old you are, but you still don't really get it. When you turn three, you're closer. You understand that it's your birthday, you know it'll be fun, you know you're three, but you don't have a lot of preexisting ideas about birthdays. I remember on your third birthday you came out of your room, saw balloons hanging from the door and said, "It's my birthday in my room!". Adorable.

When you turn four, you get it. You know there's presents. You know there's cake. You know there's fun. You know and understand that you're getting older and bigger. You can maybe remember parts of your last birthday. You could even remember this birthday years from now. So your mom and I (and especially your mom) worked very hard to make it special for you. We took you to the aquarium, we had a pizza party, we had the cake of your choice, you got very nice presents. We wanted you to feel special.

On our drive home, without being asked, you said "thank you for my birthday" and when we asked if you were having a good day you said, "This is the best birthday ever". That meant a lot to us.

As you get older you are getting easier and easier to talk to. You understand what's happening around you. You ask smart questions, make interesting connections, and are always learning. When I look at you, I don't see a toddler anymore. I see a little girl. I see a girl who is smart, silly, curious, caring, and kind hearted. You're not afraid to tell us what you want, but you are incredibly grateful for what you get. You are a little girl with a big heart and big eyes.

When you turn four, you know a lot more about who you are. We are so excited to celebrate that with you.

Love Dad

One whole year of awesome

Dear Isaac

Today was your first birthday! It's hard to believe it's been a year already, but at the same time it's hard to remember a time when you weren't in our life.

You had a good birthday. You had presents, and toys, and Nana and Grandma came to visit, and you had tons of fun playing.

You also hard a hard birthday. You were teething. And teething sucks. There was a moment today when you were really upset. You were crying and crying and crying on my lap. Then, I picked you up, put your tummy on my head, and shook my head all over your tummy. You thought that was hilarious. Then I put you down. You immediately started crying again. Because you're teething. And teething sucks.

The great thing about your first birthday is that we really get to see some of the first hints of what you're personality is like. So let me give you a few ideas about what that looks like right now.

1. You are determined. When you want something, nothing will get in your way. 
2. You are friendly. No stranger is safe from an ultra cute Isaac smile.
3. You are rambunctious. You like big noises, big splashes, and big messes.
4. You are goofy. You love to smile, love to play, and love to laugh. Even your name means "He laughs."

I like that last one. Teething sucks. Lots of things about life are going to suck. I hope you keep finding the time in those moments to recognize that it's good to laugh. I'm sure you will. It's who you are.



Love Dad.