And there it is, he’s three. Just like that. In the blink of an eye. How and when did this happen? Did it happen when his first tooth came in? When he started walking and talking? When he could wrap his arms around my neck, when he could leap and jump and hug and kiss? When he could say “I love you Mommy”?

With each day he grows more independent and proportionally more affectionate. He’s literally taking two steps forward and one step back, making sure he’s still within arms reach of me. He’s speaking in complete sentences, knows most of his letters, draws and colors and loves puzzles. He has focus and determination but is never too proud to break down into tears and run into my arms.

My darling, my sweet, my happiness, my laughter, my warmth, my love, my youngest, my forever.

Love you every day of every month of every year for the rest of your life,

Mama