A letter to Little Dude B on his 2nd Birthday....

Dearest Little Dude "B",

Today at 6:27pm, I cried. You didn't know it, but as I kissed your sweet blond head, the tears welled up and rolled warm down my cheeks. Why? Because two years ago, at that exact moment, I held you in my arms for the first time and looked into those kind, honest eyes of yours and made the unspoken promise to hold your hand and your heart in mine, each and every day. But today, as you climbed your way on top of the cooler at your birthday party to get yourself a snack from the buffet table...all by yourself....I saw independence. I saw confidence. I saw growth. I saw all of the things that every parent wants for their child (even if it does make us a little sad). And, my dear, I was so very proud of you.

At two, you are still a bit oblivious to the finer points of Birthday parties. As you will learn as you get older, I get a little crazy over these events. Love it or hate it, I promise to make each birthday a day you won't forget. Today, I made the realization that throwing elaborate birthday parties is my own little way of distracting myself from the fact that no matter how hard I try to bonsai you and your sister, you just keep getting older. Sigh.... But whether or not you fully “got” how to open your gifts or master the party games today, I knew that you “knew” it was your special day. Your innocent face was simply radiating joy. You knew we were all here to celebrate you. You knew (I hope) just how very much you are loved. And that, is what birthdays are all about.

In the past year, you have grown so very much. Not just in dramatic physical changes that occur from age 1 to age 2, but in so many other ways as well. You are so very curious. There is no corner, no nook, no cranny that goes unexplored when you are around. And so smart...learning so much and so excited about your new found skills. You are speaking so well. There are no sweeter words than those you say to me as I put you to bed each night....”I love you mama....Night, Night.” Sweet simplicity. But I do believe that when I am old and gray, I will hear those words each night when I lay my head to rest and think about just how lucky I have been to have you as my son.

You received so many “boy” toys today....trucks, dinosaurs, trains, etc. And I love how much fun you have driving and banging and “rawring”...you know, the boy stuff. But I adore the way you run to me when I am caring for your sister who just got a boo-boo. You ask her if she is OK and don't leave her side until you know she is alright. You give kisses to your new stuffed dino from Nanny before you lay your own head down after a long and exhausting day. You show me once again that you have a heart of pure gold....and that will bring you many blessings in this life my love. I promise you that.

So, yes. I cried today at exactly 6:27pm as I kissed that sweet blond head of yours. And I probably will each and every year on August 3^rd. For that will always be the moment when your beautiful soul joined this little family of ours. The moment when I first met the tiny creature that will undoubtedly grow into a man strong in ability and strong in character.

But for now, you are two. Drive, crash, bang, and “rawr” all you can little man. Remember, I will be by your side, holding your hand and your heart in mine, each and every day.

I love you to the moon and back... infinity times.

XOXOXO,

Mommy