Your 4th birthday has come and gone. You are so excited to be four and couldn't wait to celebrate on your big day. We decorated your door with streamers and the house with balloons. After you came downstairs to your new bike we went to Grammy and Grandpapa's for hot tubbing and ice cream cake. The day ended with dinner at the airport restaurant in Gig Harbor. It was a pretty epic day and watching your excitement was the best thing ever. Your party was the weekend after and you had a blast celebrating with your family and friends.
When you woke up on your birthday you asked me if I got you new clothes now that you were so much bigger. As you've grown into my four year old boy so many things about your personality have stayed the same. You are sweet, kind and very thoughtful. You love going on adventures and are great at playing by yourself. You love your little brother and are SO excited to have another baby on the way. You no longer nap and are still an early riser. You go to bed around 8 and wake up between 6 and 7 am, with the occasional 5:30 mixed in there. We lay with you to help you get to sleep at night and your cherish that time, we both do. You love reflecting on your day and snuggling as you drift off to sleep. You wake up during the night a fair amount but quickly fall back asleep if there is someone to snuggle you.
Going from a nanny to daycare was a big adjustment for you and it took you a while to warm up, but now that you're comfortable you seem to enjoy it. You are my homebody and prefer a small crowd over a big group but that's why I think being in daycare is good for you, it's helping you learn to be in a group of kids and away from your parents. You're leaning how to cope with being outside your comfort zone. You have made a few great friends, especially Ethan, and really love your teachers, Mr. Alex and Ms. Brittany. Trying new things isn't always easy and I know it's hard for you. I am proud of you for persevering.
One of my favorite things about your older age is your ability to reciprocate love. You often tell me how much you love me, that I'm the "bestest" and the "nicest." I also love how much fun it is to do activities together. No longer is it going to the zoo and pushing you around in the stroller- but talking together about all the animals, how they move, what sounds they make and which ones we like the most.
You love playing with legos, ice cream, hot coco, paw patrol, soccer, being with your grandparents, mac and cheese, the park, riding in the stroller, baby Lily and baby Declan.You hate the color red. Your imagination is still quite vivid and you've been talking a lot about your jobs lately. You worked at Starbucks for a while but now you just work in an office. You have the McLaughlin laugh and it's one of my favorite things when you crack up uncontrollably.
You and Wes fight but also play really well together. I read something that said the best predictor of sibling relationships in adulthood is how much fun you have playing together as kids. If that's the case, I think you and Weston are on the right track. That's actually one of the reasons that being at daycare was so difficult for you- you wanted to be with your brother and have never been away from him for a whole day. The best gift I've ever given you is each other and I hope you always hold fast to your brotherly bond.
As my first born you and I are continually learning together. I pray that you tender heart continues to grow in compassion and kindness. That you value your family, honesty and loyalty. That you learn to treat all people with respect and find common ground. I pray that you learn to follow your heart and find your passion. That your fight for justice and seek peace. That you know you have it within you to change the world. I love you with all my heart and look forward to the coming year.
xoxo,
Your loving mama
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