dear carter,

on the occasion of your fourth birthday

(if you wish to read last year's letter go here.)

Yesterday (it seems) I was sitting at the computer preparing to reflect on the first three years of your life.  Now, all of a sudden, I sit here again, in disbelief that four years have passed since you joined my life.  I can't imagine one single day, one single minute of life without you.

You fill my life with happiness.  I marvel at your inquisitive nature and melt at your tender spirit.  You want to know about everything and I've long learned that brushing your question off with a generic answer just simply won't do.  No, mom, I didn't ask if you were cooking, I want to know what you're doing.  I love that about you.  I hope that you remember her when you are older, but we have the nicest older couple that live next door.  She is the kind of woman that I want to be at her age, serving coffee on the porch in the morning to the husband she has loved for decades and taking immaculate care of her yard and huuuggggee garden.  You were running back and forth from your friends house, through miss j.'s yard, and you noticed that she was doing something in her garden.  I had come outside to call you and your sister for dinner, and observed you approach her confidently and ask her what she was doing.  I almost interrupted you, afraid that you were bothering her, but I watched her explain to you very carefully how to dig the dirt, plant the seeds and then water them carefully.  You were the most polite young man, followed each of her instructions and were nearly giddy with happiness when she praised you.  You ran home to my arms a happy boy.  And that made me a very very happy mommy. 

I hope that you always see life as a grand question to be wondered, and a joyous adventure to be wandered.  That you are never afraid to walk right up, get your hands in the dirt and be proud of what you have done..... 

I am so proud of you and the little man that you are becoming.  You are a very sweet boy who is happy to offer a kiss every Wednesday when I pick you up from preschool, and the biggest hug I could wish for every night before bed.  I was right last year when I said I would miss how much you said "i wanna hold you momma."  Sometimes you say it, but not so much, and I realize that you're growing, in all the ways that you are supposed to, but growing nonetheless.  And that means I can't hold onto you as my little seedling forever.

Every parent teacher conference at your preschool has been full of conversation about what a "good" boy you are, how well you do at sharing and playing nicely, how sometimes you're just a little bit shy about things, but if the teacher helps you just a little, you're ready to dive right in.  We also learned how much you love the bounce house :)  I'm writing all of this down, in the hopes that one day you will treasure it in that great big heart of yours.  You've made lots of friends, and are very excited for your 5th birthday where we've promised you that you can have your first big kid party with friends.

I love you, Carter Taylor.  And I have loved you every single day of your life.  You make my days brighter and I am so blessed that you are my son.

Happy Birthday, Bubby,
mommy


You were up pretty early the morning of your birthday...eager to rip into the presents we set aside (making you wait for the rest of them...so mean :)

Toy  Sotry 3 Etch-a-Sketch

(some toys just never get old)

handsome birthday boy

your first Lego set!

that Mommy quickly help you put together

and even though birthday cake was coming later, I couldn't
resist putting a candle in your birthday cinnamon roll.
You were so embarassed that we were singing to you.

Happy 4th Birthday Carter!