Noah James turns 4!

Dear Noah:

Today you turn 4 years old. It's hard to believe that it has been that long since you have entered the world, and yet it feels like you've always been a part of my life; the moon that I have orbited. Before you existed, I like to say that there was a Noah shaped hole in my heart. God knew I needed laughter and giggles and someone to break the mold and get very muddy doing so. Your name means "Rest and comfort" and I have to say that's exactly what you brought to our family.

You love to laugh, and can be heard most days from the other side of the house squealing (some would say MUCH too loudly) and laughing. You are always saying something funny and joking around with someone. Right now you like to tell funny jokes that are one-liners like "Why did the monkey climb the tree?" and then you bust up laughing. You don't quite understand the timing of jokes, but you're so funny when you laugh at the ones you make up that everyone ends up laughing anyway.

You can't say your r's or l's properly, and it's still adorably cute. Especially when you talk about Legos (which, by the way, you have become quite fond of). "Mama, I weewy, weewy, wov wegos" is what you tell me, and I hope as long as I live I don't forget how you said it.

You love to be active, you ride a scooter like you're in the pro championships, and whip around corners and jump off of steps with it. It gives me a heart attack, but you do it with ease. You also love to play any kind of passing or kicking game, anything that involves a ball. But you haven't quite mastered the art of sharing, and you quite often end up taking the ball and running away from the other kids, or a ball of screaming rage when others won't pass the ball to you. But you are unmatched when it comes to wrestling, and while your brother has 2 years on you, he cannot beat you in a wrestling match. The two of you break out into wrestling matches all the livelong day. I have to say, it's a lot like watching the Discovery Channel and little baby bear cubs.

You are absolutely ruled by your tummy. As soon as you wake up you want to know what's for "bweckdast" and while you're eating that, you're asking what's for lunch. You're also entirely too pre-occupied with what I'm making for dinner which is both frustrating and comical. If you're ever mad or upset you can be easily persuaded at the mere mention of a snack or treat, it's incredibly cute and I'm wondering what my grocery bill will look like when you're a teenager!

But mostly, Noah James, you are a very thoughtful little boy. You and I spend our mornings together, alone, which suits you just fine. You love to ask me questions, and sing songs and you HATE being alone  (which I can totally relate to). I guess that's why you're a perfect fit as the middle child, because you always have someone to play with. You are a caring older brother to your sister, always helping her down, or bringing her a toy or washing her hands for me. And you're a very kind younger brother, always willing to help your big bro and you don't care one iota that he is different from you, you shrug it off immediately which just makes my heart melt. You and I understand each other in a way no one else does, and I am so blessed by our tight bond. I don't mind giving you the "Mama's Boy" title for a little while longer.

You are laughter, you are light, and you are comfort and love to this family; we would be so terribly boring without you stirring up trouble! I love you Noahboy, to the moon and back.

Love, your mama