Charlie Tuna,
As per usual, I am having a hard time grasping that one of my babies is turning another year older! I think that is is something that Mommy will have a hard time with regardless of the kiddo and regardless of the age. Sorry buddy, you’ll just have to get used to the ridiculously long birthday hugs followed by me asking “are your sure you’re THREE (or whatever age you currently are) years old, I don’t believe it?!?!!”

If we are starting with true honestly here I will tell you that three is by far not my favorite age… Newborns are cute and cuddly, one year olds adorable, funny and still cuddly, two is when you start to talk and your personality shines and well three, while it has some major perks, it is tough!!! You know how to use your words but you choose not to a lot of the time. Opting for either full-out banshee screaming or mutters, grunts and foot stamping when you don’t get what you want or even sometimes when you do. Really there is no predicting it sweet boy. Some nights for supper I give you options, you’ll choose exactly what you want to eat and then refuse to have even one bite when the exact thing you requested is placed in front of you. This happens when you aren’t given the choice as well, just in case you are curious. I guess the most predictable thing about three (and by the way you are advanced and started your decent in to full on threes a few months early- I am hoping this means you will find your way out of them sooner as well) is that nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is predictable about you dear boy. It’s true; one day you want a nap and hop right up in bed and crash nearly immediately, the next day you spend 20 minutes screaming at the door (in full banshee mode, as referred to earlier) until you pass out on the floor waking for another round within 15/20 minutes after you crashed. Sometimes you want to play with your brothers/share and act ridiculously silly with them. Other times, the mere sight of them throws you over the edge! Sometimes you hop into the car eager to take whatever car ride we currently are taking, other times you wail because your buckles are TOO tight!! By the way, they aren’t ever changed and are never too tight. Its unpredictability at its definition sweet boy and man is it challenging. You’re fiercely determined and stubborn but you are also charismatic and genuine. What you see is what you get with you Charlie and because of it you have people wrapped around your little finger minutes after meeting them; being rewarded with smiles, extra cookies and even 10% off our bill at a restaurant (yes this really happened). You love people and the stories they have to tell. When you play, you are always talking about people we know or making up grand stories about the duplo guys and the lives that they live. You love looking at pictures of people that we know and asking what they are doing or where they are now. You want to know about strangers, their names, where they are from, you want to know their stories. You talk to everyone, this makes public outings time-consuming but entertaining to say the least. Really there is not one person that you won’t talk to; most often referring to them as “Sir” or “Lady” and occasionally “Man” if we are forgetting our manners. You feel and love with every ounce of your being (this is not a bad thing sweet boy) but it does mean that your feelings get hurt from time to time and that a more gentle approach can work wonders with you.

Simply put, little boy, you are wonderfully and beautifully created and I am so proud to be your Mommy. Nightly I pray that I can meet the challenge of being your Mommy with grace and an understanding heart because I know three is hard for you too. I pray that I enjoy those glimpses of the truly astounding person you are and are continuing to become. I can’t wait to see what is ahead for you sweet boy, it’s greatness I am sure of it, but even more so I am really looking forward to watching the journey.

Happiest of Birthdays, Charlie Tuna!!! I love you!!

Love,
Momma