Charlie's birthday

Dear Charlie,

Today you are four.  I wish someone could explain to me how the last four years have gone this fast.  

I remember it like it was yesterday.  You came at 2:13 am after a long 36 hours of labor.  I remember the first moment I saw your face. I exclaimed, “Those dimples!” As you opened your mouth to make that first cry everyone in the room saw your beautiful dimples.  They are your signature, your trademark on your cheeks.  Your dad cried and I stared at you in awe.  What a gift you are to us. 

I didn’t think my heart could love you more, but each day it grows.  I love the person you are becoming.  You are the most optimistic person I know.  You brighten everyone’s day with your friendly hello’s and big smile.  You squint your right eye when you smile, just like me.  Every day you say things like, “This is going to be so fun!” “I just love you, Mom.” “You are so pretty Mom.”  “Archie is my best friend.” 

I want to write down some other things you say all the time so I don’t forget them.  When you are excited about something in the future you will say, “After this sleep!?”  You don’t like bedroom shadows and still sleep with the hall light on.  For your birthday you got a fish.  You named him Blueberry and call him your best friend all day.   You went in a haunted house at the pumpkin patch this fall and didn’t like it so much, so now you refer to “creepy things” all the time that you want to stay away from. J  You love your brother so much.  He follows you around and imitates you, yet you don’t seem to mind.  You teach him how to put on his shoes and socks and are starting to play together so nicely.  Several times a day your dad and I just look at each other and smile in wonder.  I know what we are both thinking. How did God bless us so much with such a wonderful child?  Sometimes you make us burst out in laughter.  I secretly love it when you get scared of thunder or have a bad dream and come into our bed at night.  I don’t want you to grow up, but I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you.

I love you so much Charlie.

Mom