Happy Birthday my little Max. I love you more than words can express. You completed our family. Here are some of my thoughts about you today.
I lOVE THAT:
-Your dad and I won’t encourage you to stop sucking your thumb because we think you look precious cuddling with Lion as you touch his soft ears. You LOVE everything soft. Sucking your thumb is one of the last visible signs of your babyhood and we are clinging to it like nobody’s business
-That no matter what we do or how many sweets you eat, you won’t budge past the 40 pound mark (oh how i want to move you to the booster seat!) You need to eat little man! At least we didn’t pass on the “fat” gene here….
-Whenever we ask what you’d like for dinner, you respond enthusiastically with “MEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” You are my red meat buddy.
-You will take anyone on and seriously think you can take them. You are a tough little boy–a little rough, but all boy!
-On the flip side, i fought tooth and nail with Daddy so he’d be o.k. with you getting that kitchen set this Christmas. I bought it before asking of course, but I would have taken it back. Anyway, I knew you’d love it! I especially enjoy the bug soup and the poker chip stew you’ve been cooking up lately and that you go and get the “real” dishes (aka breakable ones) out of the cabinet to serve your creations. The other day I couldn’t find any of our plates and low and behold, I discovered them neatly stacked in the cabinet in your retro red oven.
-You think Riggs is a toy. (Riggs is our black labrador retriever). Although she is 12 years old, she tolerates you tying her by leash to our furniture, dragging her where you want in the house, teasing her with table scraps (you give up more than you think), and on occasion, giving her hugs and kisses. If we are walking down the street, you feel it is your duty to pet everyone’s dogs.
-You constantly steal daddy’s wallet, using his ‘paying card’ everywhere you go, including signing “Max” at the bottom of our dining bill once the waiter brings the check
-I can ALWAYS make you smile. Even when you just got a boo boo. I have my tricks and I’m not afraid to use them. Although oddly enough, these same “smile” tactics don’t usually work with children who aren’t mine inside the studio. Go figure?!!!!!
-Recently, you want to cuddle up in our rocking chair, under the blanket and have me sing to you as you fall asleep. We did that when you were littler and it’s back “in” this month. Who am I to refuse, even though I know it’s just a bedtime stall tactic?
-Daddy doesn’t mind me taking naps on the weekends (with you of course), because you won’t stay in your bed unless I’m there with you. (The sacrifices I have to make, I tell you). By the way, I’m still not ready to give up the nap. Stay with me buddy….
-Your favorite music rocks. I think it’s pretty cool that you request Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water” to listen to on your way home from preschool.
-You have all your special ‘boxes’ full of STUFF. You collect the oddest items and hide them in random containers. Keys missing? Check Max’s box. Paying card gone? Check Max’s box.
-For you….DADDY IS IT. You need to go everywhere you can with him. Every errand, every thing he does. When you can’t go with him, you cry. He has a shadow. Sometimes I see Daddy’s eyes roll up in his head when he has to take you with him yet again (I guess you add a little time to each task…) but I know deep down he will always remember and love this about you. He may not think you walk on water forever Kent….
-Even though he doesn’t recognize it, you idolize your big brother. Tanner adores and wants to cuddle you because he’s a cuddle bear. You’re the opposite, the rough and tumble, stingy-with-the-hugs-and-PDA kind of kid. But every once in a while, we catch a sweet moment between the two of you and I quietly put it away in my heart for remembering later when you are about to kill each other.
I could write a lot more, but just know you’re the icing on our cake.
I love you,
Mommy
