happy birthday rex.

Dear Rexy Patrick,

I cannot even find the words to describe how shocked I am that you are three years old.  How did that even happen?  When did this happen?  Where is my baby?  The last three years have flown by, and yet I feel like I have known you my entire life.  You are amazing.

You are such a good boy.  I love how you love me and have no shame in being a total momma's boy.  I love how your favorite position is to be curled in my lap with apple juice and picking my nail.  I love how you beg me to "Hold you, me."  I adore how you copy your big brother and look to him to figure life out.  I  love the way you say "Daddy."  I am so grateful you have a soft heart for animals and tough little knees and elbows.  I am obsessed with your little yellow curls.  I love/hate that you are such a little daredevil and will try anything once.  You drive me insane with your preference for any food that has been processed, dyed or pumped full of sugar.  You melt my heart when your eyes light up when you see me. 

You complete our family in such a perfect little way. 

You are your brother's biggest fan.  You give him confidence and have pushed him into a fiercely protective role that I adore.  You love him so innocently and forgive him with the blink of an eye.  You have made him stronger and quicker.  You have made him softer and have forced him to slow down.  You are his best friend, and he is yours. 

You are your daddy's favorite little snuggle bug.  He loves having a partner to sit back and make fun of the intensity of your brother and mommy with.  Your exciting stories about our days when he gets home from work simply fill him with joy.  He has such a strong and special love for you, and can't wait to spend the rest of his life showing you how much.  He doesn't mind taking a backseat in your priority list, because even being counted is beyond a blessing.

And to me...Rexy, you are so much.  You are all the dreams I had of you while you were in my belly times a million.  You are a wild, blonde, chunky, rough little ball of stubbornness.  You have made me more patient and want to truly be a better person.  Your carefree attitude about life inspires me.  Your authentic smile and intense hugs turn me to mush.  I can hear your laugh and the world is right.  You are a dream come true and I feel beyond honored to have a front seat in your life.  Thank you for letting me be your Mommy.  It is the best job in the universe.

Happy third birthday, little bug.  I love you.

Mom