Little Bear,
Congratulations – you just completed another ride around the sun! Today, you are TWO YEARS OLD. I don’t know about you, but for me it’s been the most fulfilling, challenging, joyous, destructive twenty-four months of my life. And fun. Did I mention FUN? Please refer to yesterday’s video post recapping our two years together.
Last year, your birthday made me weepy as I mourned the loss of my “baby,” knowing I could never get that time back. This year, although still a bit wistful looking at older pictures, my heart is wide open instead of being squeezed tight in fear.
I’m uplifted by the potential of your life.
I look forward to every change and stage in the growing up process. I can’t wait to see what you’re like at sixteen and twenty-five and fifty-seven. I don’t care WHAT you’re going to be, but WHO you’re going to be. One thing I know is that you’ll be bursting with personality and well-loved, because you already are.
As for this past month, you were busy as always! You’ve learned to count to five and have a new passion for stickers. Especially stickers off of pieces of fruit – you wander around with those on your head all day. You’re obsessed with cars and tractors and can play with them for hours up at the property while we work. You have a wicked sense of humor and keep us laughing as well as everyone else you interact with.
Little Bear, you just have a way of bringing joy into so many people’s lives. You engage people in a way that is startling to me sometimes.
I have never smelled stinkier feet in my LIFE. You have your mama’s sweaty, nasty feet only they – and I never thought this was possible – are worse than mine. Way worse. As in, OPEN THE WINDOWS OF THE CAR AND CHECK FOR ROTTING CARCASSES NOW worse.
And I still kiss your toes.
When you see a bag of chips in the store you shout “CHIPPEEEEEEE!” in a strange, guttural, perhaps-we-should-call-an-exorcist voice that sort of freaks out the other shoppers and makes me giggle hysterically. Sometimes you’re so smart, you creep me out. But then I remember that you still crap your pants.
Sweet boy, it’s the last day of your previous contract and I would like to renew if you’re up for it. I am honored and proud to be your mom. You’ve stretched my heart wide open and every time I think I couldn’t love you more, I do. Happy birthday Little Bear!
Love,
Your Mama
