On Turning 4

Dear Brandon - today you turned four. That's twenty eight in dog years. For those with childen under the age of one, he's 48 months old. Pregnant? Have a newborn? He's 208 weeks. But hey, who's counting?

So, you are finally four. Four short years ago I was still in the hospital, stuck in bed, but happy that my baby was being held by others. Or maybe you were eating. Who knows? Here you are, only 3 hours old! And, as pointed out by your Nana, counting the hours on your fingers. Smart already.

And here you are, my fondest memory of you in the hospital, swaddled and sleeping in your bassinet. You didn't cry in the hospital. You saved that until after we got home. Even then you rarely cried. You just whined. A lot. Your whining was enough to make me come unhinged. It still is.

You've had many birthdays. We threw a large party a week before your first birthday (it was on your Nana's birthday). Why? Who knows. We were such proud parents, and were equally proud that we'd all made it a whole year! Family and friends showed up, and you had a great time. Funny, but at the time I thought you were so grown up. Looking back now I see my tired baby boy who had no idea why he was getting toys, wouldn't wear a party hat, and cried at the cupcakes. We finally got you to eat part of one. Daddy left that evening on a plane bound to New York. Two days later we got on a plane, met Daddy in New York, and went down to Washington DC. It wasn't that difficult. You were and still are a great traveler. The idea of doing that same trip with your sister terrifies me! You walked for the first time less than a week after your birthday! A few days later you were off and running, literally.

Stalking ducks in DC on your actual 1st birthday.

At your birthday party a week earlier

We had another party for your second birthday, but none of your friends could show up for one reason or another. However, your grandparents and aunts and uncles all showed up to cheer you on! This was the year of the train. You liked them before, but when your friend Max gave you a little train set, it was love. We could set it up on the coffee table. And we did. Every. Single. Day. You were so into your little IKEA set. Who knew that little set could bring you such joy!

Your third birthday was the "kid party". We had about 10 kids and their parents over to play! It was crazier than I thought it would be. My word for the day was underprepared. However, you had a great time, and the kids seemed to have a great time, too. I didn't even take any pictures at your party, and had to rely on what other people gave me. Friends can click here to see pictures from that party! I did manage to get a few pictures later on in the day, after everyone left. Here is one that clearly expresses the joy of your new train table and train set.

And now you are four. How did you get to be four? It is amazing that you are four. Such a big boy. In many ways you are older than four. Your vocabulary and command of the English language is amazing (well, for a four year old). You've been rhyming words and making up your own words for almost a year now. You've been potty trained and out of diapers since before you were three. You love your "baby sister", as you call Caitlin, except when she takes your toys and runs (she does this because you get upset. You do understand this, don't you?). In some ways, such as whining and not listening to your parents, you act far younger than what I expect from a four year old. But we're working on those areas!

We moved from California to Colorado when you were 3 1/2. This rocked your world. You were happy. You were sad. You made sure that we put the same things on the walls in our new house as we had in your room at our old house. You got braver, bolder and more outgoing. You had to or you'd have no friends! You loved your summer preschool, and you love your new preschool. You're so proud of all the fun things you get to do. And you have friends. On your fourth birthday we went to Chuck-E-Cheese, and your new friend Eli came as well. The two of you had so much fun together. You even told me a story about how you and Eli went into the women's bathroom instead of the men's bathroom, and Eli's daddy had to stand outside the door and call you. I don't know how true it is, but I can see it happening! This time I was prepared, and took pictures!


Happy Fourth Birthday Brandon! We love you so much!

love, Mommy and Daddy