Every year, I write a letter to my children on their birthday. I keep the letters in their baby journals/books for them to read when they are older. Today is Austin's birthday and here is my letter to my sweet little boy.
Dear Austin,
It's hard to believe it's already been four years since your birth. Just the other day, we were walking in the front door as new parents. We were holding this precious little person and had no idea how our lives were about to change.
How could I possibly love one person so immensely?
How could I possibly tune out the world around me whilst staring into your beautiful big brown eyes?
You changed me as a person.
You shaped me as a mother.
Over this past year, you have grown from my little boy into my big toddler boy. You are an extremely independent child and you have a very strong soul.
Some of your favorite things from this year include:
- Emergency rescue vehicles (fire engines, police cars & ambulances). You get so excited whenever we see one on the road; especially when they have their sirens blaring! Your kinder teacher (Kate) even setup a section at kinder called the firefighter corner!! It's quite amazing how much you love these things.
- Matchbox cars. These cars have been well worth the $2 each! You love them (esp the emergency vehicle ones) and we often use them as rewards (like being good at kinder drop-offs).
- Books. We make a weekly trip to the library because you love reading books.
- ABC Kids. You love pretty much any show on there, but most especially Fireman Sam and Busytown.
- Babycinos! You especially love the ones daddy makes.
- Penny & Elvis. You have two imaginary friends. I think it was around January when you started talking to them and playing with them. I have no idea where you came up with the name Penny. I've never heard that name anywhere. Elvis is a firefighter on Fireman Sam, so I assume you are using the name from that show. One day back in July, you whispered in my ear and said "Penny is my big sister. She is four years old".
- Dancing. You LOVE to dance and have recently even started trying to BREAKDANCE!! I can't remember where you saw it. But, you loved it and now you do shows for us!
- Music. You started out the year with an AC/DC obsession and you know the lyrics to many of their songs. It's really cute watching you & daddy 'jam' together to their music. Luckily, over the past few months, we've been able to redirect some of your AC/DC obsession towards other music like Jack Johnson, REM & Chipmunks. I love watching you perform while you sing at your microphone and play your guitar. You even have a little groove in your hips. It's too cute.
- Drawing, arts & crafts and writing. You didn't want to have a bar of these things until just recently (maybe in the last 3-4 months). But now, you love creating all kinds of things with old boxes, construction paper & masking tape. You also love writing letters of the alphabet and drawing pictures. I think you are a stunning artist!! :)
- Sienna. You adore your little sister. I couldn't ask for a better relationship between the two of you. That relationship has really developed this past year as you both grow older. You play together and make each other laugh like nobody else can. I love hearing your giggles and love watching the two of you play together. It's a beautiful sibling relationship.
This year you started 3 year old kinder. You attend 2 days a week (half-days) and you've developed a lovely friendship with a boy named Liam. Kate (your kindy teacher) says that you two are inseparable. It's been fascinating to watch your independence develop (even more) since starting kinder.
You will always be my little boy (even though you're quickly catching up to my height!) and I will always remember this day in 2007 when you finally entered my life at 1:17pm. You have forever changed me and I will always love you for that.
We love you to the moon and back, sweet boy. Huge birthday hugs and kisses to you as you move into the world of big 4 year olds. xoxo
I have given birth to a speckle of dust,
to a sparkle of light
to a small hint of life.
Frail as a flower in the morning
is this tiny work of art
when i see his face before me
this is too much for one heart.
I want time to stop right here
make perfection last forever
in which i could disappear.
I have been living with such wonder
that my soul could burst apart.
-- Thank you Lisa Lucky for introducing me to these beautiful lyrics from Miss Saigon.
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| 05 August 2007 |
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| 31 July 2011 |
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| 05 August 2011 |
