New haircut, new shoes, new year.  Kid, you are ready to go.  And for the first time in a long time, I can say I’m not freaking out.  Don’t feel bad.  It doesn’t mean I don’t love or care about you as much, it’s just that you have taken to this stage so well.  And by well, I mean you could be the cutest, funniest toddler we’ve ever had.

You are ALL BOY.  I say this a lot about you because it is evident in all you do: from playing cars, to running around nonstop, to taking toys away from your brothers and running with them. You love playing with cars, it doesn’t matter the size: matchbox cars, big monster trucks, tractors, race cars.  And to watch you is so special to me.  But the best is when you ask me to sit and play cars with you.

No David, you are just too cool.  That may sound lame to you, but I mean it as a compliment.

Just a week ago, we visited Austin and everyone told me how grandpa talks about you nonstop.  Let’s be clear, he loves all of you, but right now, you are so damn cute and are the apple of his eye.  Today at lunch, a lunch in which one of your daddy’s listeners brought you cupcakes(!), one of the guys said you were his favorite.  Of course, those weren’t your only cupcakes today.  You had another surprise from a friend.  When you were upset and didn’t want to go to the gym, people offered to watch you.  They love you because you bring such joy to all of us.

Little boy, I hope you always have that twinkle in your eye.  I never tire of seeing it, and I promise nobody else will.  People can tell just by looking at you how much you enjoy life.  Oh my son, I want your life to be full of love, laughter and adventure.  I want to protect you from anything that will make you sad.  I know I can’t, but I will do all I can to keep you happy.

To be sure, you have our temper.  It seems to run in the family.  You’re loud and have stamina for tantrums like no other.  The ability to talk clearly has allowed you to tell us when we make you mad.  Like when you told me not to yell at your brother.  Or when you fussed at Mimi.  Or your dad.  You definitely have opinions about how you and your brothers are treated.

Tonight you wanted one kind of cupcake: Star Wars.  You’ve never seen the movies, but have two t-shirts. That’s all you want to wear.  And when they are dirty, well, I get the feeling that you are thinking “damn it lady, wtf? get my shirt!”  Today, I asked what you wanted to wear and you were so specific: blue Star Wars.  (Even though you decided to open only one gift, you do have two new ones waiting for you.)  Lance found the Imperial March and you stomped around the house listening to it.  Oh how I wish everyone could have seen you.  I smile just thinking of you stomping.

And then there is food.  I would be leaving something out if I didn’t talk about your love for food.  It’s kind of become a joke to people, your father and our friends call you Snax.  I admit I’ve caught you eating food from the floor.  Not my proudest moment.  But you do eat salad and broccoli and things I would never eat at your age.

I have had such fun with you this year.  When I get the mixer out, you drag a chair over to help me make cookies.  You love hearing stories now and bring book after book to the couch.  You like the bit of “school” you do while BH is learning.  And while we haven’t had tons of Super Saints this year, you get to participate now and you like it.  Listening to you recite prayers these past few months has been a dream.  Hearing you pray or talk about Jesus and Mary is truly amazing.

Watching you with Baby Z is so sweet.  You talk to her, lay down with her, play with her, pick her up and cover her mouth when she cries.  Those last two aren’t my favorite moves, but I understand that you are just trying to help.  You really love her so much and she already loves you.  She isn’t scared of you at all.

My sweet boy, you decided that you weren’t having a birthday today.  And that’s okay.  We can open gifts another day.  I don’t want to rush this year at all.  You are truly your own person in this house of seven, and I like the three year old person you are.  Three years I’ve had the joy of you in my life.  I am grateful for you every day.  I love you, No David. May God bless you always.  Saint Sebastian, pray for my boy!