Letters – the perreault family

happy birthday sweet boy!

Published on January 14, 2017February 22, 2019 by kristenperreaultLeave a comment

My Dearest Remy,

Today has been bitter sweet for me; you’re one, my baby is one! I’ve done this three times before but it doesn’t get any easier with the repetition. I LOVE watching you and your brothers grow and learn, discover new things and turn into the person that you are always going to be; but with each passing day and each accomplished milestone it’s hard not to long for time to slow down. I miss those slow cuddly days when you were tiny. However, since that won’t happen I will enjoy the cuddles when I get them and enjoy each of your many accomplishments as they come. You have firmly and sweetly rooted yourself into my heart and I don’t know that I will ever be able to describe just how much you mean to me but I will try.

Joy is one word that most accurately describes you sweet boy. You spread joy with your constant smile and easy going nature and find joy in everything you do. You, for the most part, are SUCH an easy baby. You sleep well, you play on your own or with your brothers and you enjoy just taking everything in. You are constantly pointing lately, showing us things that you are interested in and just pointing to point. You go with the flow when we are picking up and dropping off your brothers and you sit sweetly with me while I volunteer in your big brothers’ classrooms. You love seeing the older kiddos and you smile without complaint while we help out. You love on the kitties and Piper constantly, giving them kisses and hugs and (mostly) gentle pets. You are sweet and content but also such a trouble maker all at the same time. You are constantly stealing away to play in the dog’s water or push the battery back-up buttons over and over again. You, for the most part, know that you aren’t supposed to be doing those things and while you are walking in the direction of trouble you shake your head no. It’s cute and exhausting all at the same time! I keep telling your Daddy that I can’t get anything done right now because you are into everything! Unpacking the cupboards, pulling the folded laundry out of the baskets while they wait to be put away, pulling all of the books off of the shelves and the toys out of the bins; I can hardly keep up kiddo!! However, you do all of your mischief making with the sweetest of smiles and occasionally, giggles. I love the sound of your laugh. You belly laugh at your brothers when they are silly, while playing peek-a-boo or when we tickle your sweet little toes. You also have this sweet excited laugh when you know something you want is coming- food, nursing with Momma or when we start getting ready for afternoon naps. I love the sound, it’s full of anticipation and joy, and hope I don’t ever forget it. You are cautious and daring at the same point, not wanting to be tossed up in the air by Daddy but climbing the chair, shelf etc. You’re a mess of contradictions but I couldn’t imagine having it any other way. You are so perfectly and wonderfully made.

I am constantly amazed by you and you make me proud to be your Momma. I can’t wait to see the silly things that you will do, meet the sweet friends that you will make and watch all that you will accomplish. I know it’s impossible to know just how far you’ll reach or the lives that you will touch along the way but I am sure it will be far and many. Thank you for taking Daddy and me along for the ride; we can’t help but love the journey!!

I love you sweet boy more than I ever thought possible and that was a whole awful lot! Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

Love,
Momma

letter to my 5 year old- just a little late…

Published on January 27, 2015 by kristenperreault1 Comment

Dear Jay Bird,

A few weekends ago your Daddy and I took just you to get some 5-year-old photos. I checked my LCD screen at some point during the “shoot” and was taken back by how old you look. I cried a few big fat Momma tears and then dried them up so I could continue following you around with my camera. You are FIVE, how did that happen?! To say that you have grown and matured (mostly) seemingly overnight would be quite the understatement; I blinked and you grew up. The top of your head comes up to my chest and your legs are starting to look all lanky and big boy-ish. When I look at you I see the boy you are becoming rather than the toddler/little boy you once were. Is this unsettling for a Momma? Sure, but man am I proud of the kid you are turning into.

You are sweet with your brothers and love to help me when you can; always offering to help set the table or pick things up if need be. You help your brothers find things that they need/want and put together wonderful contraptions with duplo for them. You don’t always get along, I would be painting an incorrect picture if I said otherwise. I frequently hear “No Charlie” shouted from another room when Charlie isn’t following your rules and occasional screams when Luc finds and “rearranges” one of your duplo projects. However, you are boys and bothers and you love each others’ company and I love to watch you play together. Just last night you and Charlie where racing in the backyard, back and forth between the fort and the climber. You all did this until long after the sun went down and your laughter was so wonderful to hear. You are doing amazingly well at school; you make friends easily and your teachers adore you. You knew all that you were supposed to know at the end of the year in January! We are going to have a hard time challenging you in the years to come, you love to learn about things. Frequently, you will ask Daddy during bath time to talk about something- honestly, fill in the blank with whatever random topic that you would like and you may have covered it- and then listen while he explains every little detail about the topic you choose. I think Dad enjoys these exchanges as much as you do. You still love to look at books and listen to books. If you are quiet and I don’t know where you have disappeared to it’s likely that I will find you with your nose pressed into a book or at the table coloring. Coloring and art are one of your other great loves these days. I constantly am finding art supplies strewn all over the kitchen table (you aren’t as good at cleaning up as you are at the creative process my dear). You are constantly coloring and drawing; you make things from plans for your new cars, pictures of super heroes or cards for people. It is not infrequent for you to run up to me at some point during the day and hand me a card or scrap of paper with a single heart on it or one filled with hearts, sweet boy you do this to make me feel better and you usually have the perfect timing. Other than books and coloring, being outside or building with lego or duplo are the things you enjoy most. I love to watch as you come up with elaborate creation after elaborate creation while you are building. Your imagination is limitless dear boy ;)

As bitter-sweet as this whole growing up thing is. I have to say I am enjoying it. I love watching your creativity blossom and watching your heart grow. You find new ways to love on people all of the time and I can’t help but be so proud of you. I grow and am so glad that I get the privilege of being your Mommy.

I love you sweet boy!
Love,

Momma

This one isn’t in focus but I still like it ;)

3 years old

Published on November 17, 2014 by kristenperreault1 Comment

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

happy birthday sweet boy!

Published on July 15, 2014 by kristenperreault2 Comments

Dear Luc,
I know that each birthday (first birthdays more specifically) are bitter-sweet, I know that I will be a big mushy ball of emotions; I’ve done this before. However, I also know I will find no greater joy than celebrating YOU today! Luc you are such a joy little one and every day I am so thankful that I get to be your Momma.

Luc you surprised us by coming 20 days early. You were in a hurry to join our family and man am I so glad you did. I didn’t know it at the time but I couldn’t have waited one more day to snuggle you. From the moment you entered the world you have been such a joy. You are a go-with-the-flow, easy-peasy baby. Rarely do you fuss or complain and there is almost always a huge smile on your face. You are the much-needed calm amongst our storm (aka your brothers) and you spread happiness wherever you go. You love to clap and wave and get such joy out of making others smile. I can only imagine what you will do with that gift as you grow. Right now you use it to be a cheerleader and appreciative audience for your brothers but years from now who knows; the sky is the limit. You love music and spinning around with your not always on beat Momma. You fuss occasionally when I have to put you down and do something else after we have been dancing. Which, if we are being completely honest, makes me scoop you right back up and dance some more. You are full on cruising now and while you stand on your own you have yet to take any steps on your own. I am really okay with this, having one more running little one is going to be quite the challenge! You love playing ball, your brothers did too, but you are the first to play endless games of “toss and catch” with me. You bounce any ball you can get your hands on with such enthusiasm and vigorously crawl after it when it manages to get away. You love the water, both pool and tub, and you love to splash until your heart’s content in either. Just tonight the bathroom was filled with the sound of your laughter as you happily splashed away in the tub. Your laughter is heard often in our home; whether it’s laughing at your goofy brothers or just finding joy in the things that surround you. I love the way you babble at us, fully expecting us to know exactly what you are saying. I can’t wait to see and hear the things you will come up with sweet boy, this world is going to be such a happier place because you are in it.

Like I said earlier, the passing of each of my babies’ first year is always bitter-sweet. I want you to grow and flourish and continue to conquer the world but at the very same time I want to hold you tight and have you never grow out of my arms. I know that one day the hugs and kisses won’t be as frequent, that I won’t always be your comfort and that I will long for the times when you were squishy and would fall asleep on my chest. I snuggled you for a little bit extra last night savoring the last few minutes of you being my “baby”. I promise to savor all of the snuggles I continue to get, however few and far between they may get, all the while proudly watching you spread happiness wherever you go.

I love you sweet boy!

Love,
Momma

letters to my boys…

Published on June 25, 2014 by kristenperreault1 Comment

So frequently, I stop and look at these sweet boys of mine and wish they could stay in this stage forever. I get so wrapped up in the day to day that when I stop, slow down and really see them they take my breath away. I just wanted to write a short note to all of them so one day when they look back they will understand how amazing I think they all are.

Dear Jay Bird,

You still refer to yourself as Jay Bird and I love that, I will most likely cry the day that changes. You are a ridiculously smart and talented little boy and each day you surprise me with all that you know and all that you are learning. You love to build, color and race your cars these days and are kept very busy with your wild imagination. You are constantly thinking up new games to play with your brothers; just today you and Charlie were jet skiing away from Luc the shark. And while I don’t think it was necessary to climb half way up the cat tree to escape him I do really love your imagination. The pictures you draw are so amazing and full of details and I love that your face is usually drawn with a big smile. You build the most amazing things, whether it’s a likeness of the Eiffel tower, a pretty detailed dragon or cars and race tracks with your new lego sets. Your creations are wonderful and I look forward to our special lego time at night after your younger brothers are in bed. I love that you run immediately to try and make Luc smile when he is hurt or upset and how you jump up readily to help me whenever you know you can. Your heart is so big, your laugh is infections and your imagination is limitless sweet boy and man o man do I love you!!

Love,

Momma

Charlie Tuna,

You have charisma and spunk like no other. You are fiercely determined and stubborn but man are you so gosh-darn CUTE! You adore being included (for the most part) in Jay’s antics and follow him around happily playing along with his games and schemes that he comes up with. You also dote on and take care of Wook (Luc) whenever he is around and are hugging him and kissing him frequently. You provide running commentary for just about everything right now and are rarely quiet. You talk to strangers and frequently ask me what their names are and where they are going; you love knowing peoples’ stories. However, you are cautious and very reserved when it comes to things that are new- play ground equipment, jumping into the pool etc. You take your time with new things and don’t go full throttle until you are sure that you can handle it. You give the absolute best hugs and sugar (kisses) around and I love that you give it so freely. You melt my heart with your sweet spirit and eager curiosity; I love you SO much sweet boy!

Love,

Momma

Luc,

Without a doubt you are the best baby ever. You rarely fuss, and when you do it’s for good reason- you’re hungry, tired or one of your brothers just squished you. You smile at everyone and clap like it’s your job and lately you wave ALL THE TIME. Daddy says it’s your way of spreading happiness. It tickles you to no end when people smile back at you after you wave! You are definitely a cheer leader and audience for your bothers these days. They goof off around you and you always respond with laughs or big claps; you love this “game” as much as they do. I sincerely love watching you grow and change lately, you are changing by the minute it seems! I love you, sweet boy, and cherish the sound of your sing song “Mom, Mom, Momma”; it’s music to my ears :)

Love,
Momma

a letter to my Jay bird- 4 years old

Published on January 27, 2014 by kristenperreault1 Comment

Jay Bird,
A few days ago you sat across the kitchen table from me at lunch, grabbed two grapes and explained (correctly I might add) how the earth revolves around the sun and about night and day/light and dark. After you were finished you grabbed one of the grapes, bit it in half and jokingly announced “now there is only half of a sun!” I sat there in awe of you. Lately, you seem to be growing and maturing overnight. I am constantly amazed by all that you already know and what you are so quickly learning. I wake up one day and your pants are two inches too short and the next day you’re trying new tricks or telling me the most amazing stories. It is baffling really how easily the days turn into weeks and the weeks to months and so on. It feels like just yesterday they placed you in my arms making me a Mommy. I constantly find myself wishing for time to slow down so I can enjoy all of the craziness that is our life right now but for whatever reason time keeps speeding past me like your constant car races- zooming by with endless speed, energy and enthusiasm.

Speed, energy and enthusiasm are wonderful ways to describe you these days kiddo. You, for the most part, are a ball of constantly moving energy. You don’t sit still, you are constantly moving and always have something new and fun “planned”. You frequently say “I was thinking…” or “Mommy, don’t you think that is a good idea?” inserting whatever new plan you have. You are still infatuated with cars and race them daily. When you have been away at school you come home and go straight to racing without much talking or awareness of anything else for that matter. It’s as though you have gone through withdrawal while you were away and need to get your fix as soon as humanly possible. While racing, you dream up scenarios and stories for your cars and lately you have built elaborate “sets” with our wooden blocks to race your cars in. I am not exactly sure how long this infatuation of yours will last but right now it is still holding strong.

Aside from racing cars you still love the outdoors and adore being able to run, play soccer, hit the ball off of the tee or ride your bike while you are out there. You would dance in the rain every chance you got if I would let you and dig in our sandbox until the sun is down and you can no longer see. You are moving from sun up to sun down lately, which has honestly been a bit of a challenge. We’ve been making it work with a mandatory “rest” time in the afternoon although it is seldom that you actually “rest” during rest time. You usually are racing your cars or reading quietly in your room. You want so desperately to be able to read on your own right now and are making great strides towards achieving that. You know your letters and numbers like the back of your hand and are starting to recognize the sounds of words and letters. It truly is amazing to me how much you absorb these days. You have really enjoyed going to school (no real surprise there) and Mrs. Coates is usually complementary of how much you know and what a nice friend you are. I am so proud of you sweet boy! Aside from books and cars, your other love would have to be art right now. Frequently, you ask if you can color, draw or paint. Most of your pictures are of cars or of you with other people. You are getting really good and most of your pictures are easily deciphered without much explanation. You add details that are so accurate and will color for hours if I let you.

Kiddo you are exhaustingly awesome and each day you make me so proud to be your Mommy. You love hard, you play hard and you do most everything 110% of the way (Daddy’s note: this dedication includes your stall-tactics). This is not to say that we don’t have struggles dear boy because we certainly have. 3 was really tough, but nothing that we haven’t been able to work through. I love watching you grow. I love watching your learn new things and I love the bone crushing hugs that you so easily give. I hope that you continue to greet each day like it is an adventure, an adventure to be met with enthusiasm, curiosity and a kind heart. You will go far sweet boy, I have no doubt, and I am thankful every day that you are taking me along for the ride.

I love you sweet boy!
Love,
Mommy

a letter for my two year old

Published on November 17, 2013 by kristenperreault1 Comment

I have a whole bunch of other photos that I took at your “two year old shoot” and I will share them soon but this one is how I want to remember you at this age because it is so totally you…

My sweet Charlie,
Well my sweet boy as I sit here I know that I will not be able to find the right words to accurately describe how much I delight in you. You are my joy, the smile that tugs at my heart the way no other can and quite simply you have stolen my heart along with many others I am afraid…

I am not really sure where to even begin or if I am going to be able to describe you, little one. You are spunky and real and so beautifully created. I am not quite sure how you fit such a big personality in that tiny body of yours! Your Daddy likes to say that you have more personality in your little finger than he does in his whole body; and while that isn’t entirely true I am not sure how else to describe it. You basically have me and the rest of the world wrapped around your little finger because when you smile I am a goner and whatever you want, it’s yours. This is not to say that you are spoiled or rotten because you’re not, your wants are not great or demanding- a taste of Mommy’s “dink”, to use the big boy cup (that not even Jay gets to use), an extra push on the swing, one more bike ride with Daddy, a few more minutes to “make” your Duplo towers before supper, a bite… heck, sometimes the whole bowl… of whatever Mommy or Daddy are eating, extra bubbles in the bath, to be picked up even though I am holding Luc and about three other things. I don’t mind giving into your demands, you just have a way about you that makes giving easy. You have taught me so much because of this.

Lately, I have had the pleasure of more one-on-one time with you. While Luc is sleeping and Jay is at school, I get you all to myself and I am drinking you in. We read stories and build towers, explore the front yard or trace your hands on the driveway with chalk, we cuddle with your blue blankey, we dance in the kitchen or bake together (all the while with you “tasting” to make sure that everything checks out). You are my helper and my buddy throughout the day; helping me to carry things or just keeping me company while I do things around the house. Your hugs are the best and usually start with you running from across the room- so big and all encompassing just like you. Joy and happiness are still two of the best words to describe you, simply put you are just happy to exist! You delight in the little things and when you smile it’s like you know a secret that I can’t wait another minute to know. In the same breath, you are trouble and I have said that from day one. You are stubborn and opinionated and you like to get your own way. You have your Daddy’s determination and pigheadedness and darn if you won’t give in. You are going to give your Daddy and me a run for our money and while I am excited for what is to come I am also a little afraid of what all you are going to put us through!

You love your brothers both Jay and Luc in such unique ways. You are Jay’s playmate and cohort; you will get each other into more trouble than I care to imagine. You are constantly imagining things and fighting monsters and bears with each other or chasing and laughing until you can’t anymore. And while you have yet to full out wrestle with each other I know that it is coming although I know that you will be able to hold your own. But with Luc you are sweet and gentle. You dote on him and tend to his every need. Bringing him paci’s, covering him up with your blanket and asking to kiss his sweet head so frequently. You are the only one to call him Luc-y and it melts me when you do.

Charlie, I hope you always run to things with open arms and a joyful heart, that you continue to delight in the little things and smile as though you know all of the secrets. Promise to share a few of them with me from time to time and I will promise to continue to be your champion, your cheerleader and the one that you can run to. I have no doubt that you will accomplish great things and touch many lives sweet boy since you already have. The best is yet to come and I am so excited to be along for the ride.

Happy Birthday my sweet two year old!

Love,
Momma

one week

Published on July 27, 2013 by kristenperreault3 Comments

Luc,

Monday you were a week old- just a mere 7 days- and already you have stolen my heart, actually you did that the first time they put you in my arms moments after you were born. You came into this world 20 days early and I frequently wonder how I could have waited that long to snuggle you.

Free time is short these days and sleep even less so; however, I have a few things that I want to remember from these first few days… You are tiny- you are shorter than the length of your Daddy’s forearm, my chapstick is as long as your forearm- tiny for sure. You fit so nicely into my arms and have the frog style snuggle down pat. For the most part you sleep really well, you are nice to me and your Daddy in that regard and so far you have been sleeping in the cradle with the help of Jenny (our sound machine). You eat well although you are pretty messy. Frequently, I am covered in milk after you nurse and you almost always have it all over your face. You burp really well after eating and occasionally let out one that sounds like it should have come from a much larger person. When you nurse you rub your tiny little feet on my arm, Jay used to do that too, and it is one of my favorite things. You also frequently prop your hand/arm up behind your head while eating or sleeping and every time I see you do this it reminds me so much of your Daddy, he sits/sleeps that way too. When you are snoozin’ you smile the sweetest little half smiles and while I know most babies do this too your smiles melt me every time. You like to be warm and cuddled. When you get cold your tiny body shivers until you are covered up and held. You could probably be covered up and not snuggled and be just as happy but I have decided to use this as an excuse to hold and cuddle you; you won’t be this tiny for long. You don’t mind tummy time (yet) and seem to like the paci, at least for now. Your brothers adore you and would smother you in kisses, hugs and other random forms of affection all day long if we let them. You have taken their affection and the two of them in stride. So far you are pretty go with the flow, a good trait for a third child, and you fit seamlessly into our little family of 5. I simply can’t imagine our lives without you and am so thankful and blessed to be your Momma.

I look forward to the road ahead, for I know it will bring wonderful things so far beyond what I can imagine.

I love you more than words can say sweet boy.

Love,
Momma

letter to my jay bird- three years

Published on January 27, 2013 by kristenperreault2 Comments

My dearest Jay Bird,

Sweet boy you are three today; this fact should neither surprise nor shock me since we have spent the last 12 days counting down until this day and jumping up and down as each day passes. Never the less, I find it hard to believe- my baby is 3! You are growing up before our eyes kiddo and man-o-man do I wish that I could slow down time. I am positive that if I blink too long these days that when I open my eyes you will be graduating and leaving our nest – a thought that I just can’t bear to consider right now.

I struggle to find adequate words to describe you these days… You delight in the smallest of things, you adore cars and books, your heart is so gentle and kind and you are stubborn to the core. Honestly, each day can be a constant battle; we have really, really great moments followed by knock-down drag-out fights that end in temper tantrums and time outs more times than I care to admit. And more often than not I am not really even sure what set you off. Sometimes it’s that you don’t get what you want, sometimes you don’t get things exactly your way and sometimes it seems as if there is no reason at all (i.e. you are 2!). Most evenings at supper time I get to play witness to a battle of the wills- opponent A: Jay Bird- fierce determined and decidedly going to declare that you want/like nothing that you are being given for supper. Opponent B: Daddy- fierce, determined and decidedly NOT going to give in or budge one bit. If I were an outsider I believe I might find quite a bit of humor in these battles however, since I have fought during both breakfast and lunch the humor seems to escape me. So instead I sit, observe and hang on the knowledge that this too shall pass. And it will because it is a phase and all phases pass; however, at the risk of sounding contradictory, I don’t want this phase to pass too quickly because while you are stubborn to the core you are gentle, kind, sweet, smart and just so stinking cute sometimes!

You adore your brother Charlie and while y’all do fight over toys and have normal brotherly moments you are generally SO good to him. You let him play with your stuff, want to make sure that he is included and are the first to try to cheer him up when he is sad and crying. Most often, when he is crying, you will head over to him and ask in your sweet and concerned voice “what’s wrong Charlie?” and then start singing because you know that usually makes him stop. It’s moments like these that make all the day-to-day crazy so incredibly worth it. A year later you still adore cars and while you vary the things you play with, almost everything is an accessory for cars. Tools? Things to fix cars with. Used dryer sheets? Parachutes for cars. Duplo? Used to build garages and things to house cars (although you do on occasion build with Duplo without cars) Mommy’s hair tie? Rope to tow cars with. I love to watch your imagination at work and listen to your conversations as you play; some of the stuff you come up with is hysterical. Games are also another thing that you have taken to lately. You love being able to play with me and Daddy after Charlie goes to bed and frequently request to play before your nighttime stories. It is so fun to watch you play because you really don’t have a competitive bone in your body (you got that from me, not from Daddy). You are ecstatic when anyone wins and you jump up and down and cheer them along giving congratulatory high fives. It’s so great and I really can’t wait to see what you will use this encouraging part of your personality to do as you continue to grow; whatever it is I know it will make me proud. Along with cars and games you also still love books and want so badly to be able to read them on your own; we are working on getting there and I am sure it will come soon if you have anything to do with it. You have already memorized all kinds of books and frequently “read’ to us. Often, in the mornings Daddy and I will come into you room to find a pile of books on the ground that you have been reading all morning waiting for us to get up. I also find books tucked behind a pillow and under blankets on your bed from before you fell asleep either at night or during nap time. It melts me when you look at me with sleepy eyes (usually after nap time) and ask me… “Mommy let’s cuddle and read stories okay?” I try to drop all things whenever possible at those requests because there is nothing that I would rather do than cuddle the day away with you.

Like I said earlier, I am finding it so very hard to accurately describe you sweet boy. We have our moments and I do want to pull my hair out from time to time; however, more often than not I want to scream at the top of my lungs that you are mine. Daily, you teach me new things, show me how to delight in the smallest and most simple things and you teach me over and over again how to love. I hope you always know how very proud we are of you. I know you will continue to do wonderful things and I can’t wait to see what is yet to come. This life is quite an adventure kiddo, thank you for taking me along for the ride.

I love you sweet boy, Happy Birthday!

Love, Momma

a letter for my one year old

Published on November 25, 2012 by kristenperreault3 Comments

Dear Charlie,
Just over a year a ago you took everyone by surprise by arriving 2.5 weeks early. You joined our family; you fit so seamlessly with the three of us and added that little something extra that we didn’t even know we were missing. Joy and Happiness are the best words to describe you, little guy… you are just plain happy to exist. You have been the most content little thing since entering this world and honestly, it’s hard not to be happy when you are around. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t mean that you are smiling from ear to ear at all moments, you can be quite a stoic little one at times, but when you do smile and when you do laugh it lights up the room and tugs at my heart in a way I didn’t know was possible. I am not sure I can accurately describe how much I delight in you or just how deeply you have rooted yourself in my heart but I will try…

Simply put you are amazing little one. You are playful and serious, you are easy-going and SO opinionated all at the same time. You are daring and bold yet so cautious and reserved. You stand on chairs and push toys but tense up when you are held above or tossed (like Daddy likes to do) above heads. You are a mess of contradictions little one and because of that you keep me on my toes. Lately, you have been into EVERYTHING that you can manage to get into and then some. You open cabinets and drawers with child locks on them, you dump bucket after bucket of toys out (I think just so you can hear the crash), you push buttons, any buttons that are within reach- keyboards, power back-ups, remotes it’s all fair game. You love to walk behind push toys/laundry baskets (well really anything that you can push and move) but have refused to stand or walk on your own. Don’t get me wrong I am by no means pushing you to master this skill, I know what happens when you little people start walking, but it is funny to me that you haven’t even considered trying. Crawling however, you have tackled that beast and mastered it and you are fast! When you set off you get where you want to go and you get there FAST. Like I said earlier, you constantly are keeping me on my toes. You adore bath time and going outside. Whenever the water starts or whenever we head towards the back door or pull the stroller out you flap your arms, squeal and smile the biggest smile. You are constantly pointing at stuff and “telling” us about things and talking to us. I love your curiosity. I love the way you talk to me. I am not fluent in Charlie but man do I wish I was, you have so much to tell! I know that my chances to have quiet peaceful moments over the next 18 or so years are slim, and even though there are times I would give anything for silence, I still enjoy the sound of your voice and your laughter filing our house more than anything. I love the way you continuously crawl to visit Daddy when he is working from home; you love people and can’t get enough of them. I love your dance moves- you dance as soon as you hear any music playing- bobbing and rocking along. I love the way you laugh and giggle while playing with your big brother- the relationship you two have melts me.

The passing of my babies’ first year is always bitter-sweet; I want so badly to bundle you up, snuggle you in and hold on to my little baby forever but that would mean missing out on all the wonderful things that are to come… If I could bottle up just a little of the sweetness you are right now- that smile, that laugh, those dancing legs- I would in a second but honestly I can’t wait to see what is coming because I know that it is going to be amazing. You will do great things, you will love deeply and you will touch so many people along the way. Thank you sweet boy for allowing me to be your Mommy and taking me on this adventure with you, the best is yet to come.

I love you sweet boy! Happy, belated, birthday!

Love,

Momma