Dear Tyrus,

Today you are 3 years old. I cannot believe how fast the first 3 years of your life have flown by. If they are any indication of how fast you will grow up I am very upset and I plan on inventing some type of time freezing machine so that I can soak up every ounce of your childhood.

You are such a big boy now! I still look at you in amazement when you do something new. The other morning we were running all over the house looking for your shoes and, out of the blue, you said, "oh, Mama, I forgot them. They at Dri's". First of all, you were totally right and when you said it I remembered that it was true. Second, where in the heck did you learn how to use the word "forgot"?

Physically, you still have blonde hair. It is very thick and I know it makes you sweat a lot during the hot summer months. I have threatened to shave your head after your birthday, but then I remember we're going to the beach in a couple of weeks and I'm not sure of how you'll look in pictures. I still may do it though. You still have blue eyes, but we can tell they are wanting to turn green like mine. Whenever someone asks you what color your eyes are you still say "blue!". You are getting so tall! I am always surprised when we see one of your friends and you are always taller then they are. You must get that from Dada's side of the family. You are a solid rock. You may not look heavy, but anyone that picks you up always is surprised at how heavy you actually are. I made your 3 year check-up appointment the other day so I'm excited to see how heavy you are and how tall.

Emotionally you have come so far in the last year. I think it has a lot to do with little Mary joining your life. You speak to her in the sweetest voice. Sometimes, when you "accidentally" make her cry, you will apologize to her in the sweetest little voice and gently touch her face and tell her it will be okay. When you kiss her forehead you gently close your eyes and give her the softest little kiss. When I say or do something that lets you know I'm upset you ask, "What wrong Mama? What is it?" When I cough or sneeze you always are the first one to ask if I'm okay. You still love to cuddle and we do most of that in the big bed at night before you go to sleep. That is really the only time that you will sit still long enough to cuddle. You are still a wild little boy and sometimes you get a little out of hand. It hurts you so much to be scolded. It breaks my heart and Dada's to have to put you in timeout because you cry and you get the saddest look on your face like you don't understand. We always sit down with you and tell you why you are in timeout and you seem to understand. You have recently started calling for whoever didn't put you in timeout. The other day I put you in timeout and you said, "I want Dada. I want my Dada".

Verbally, you absolutely amaze me. Like I already said you say things everyday where I have no idea where you learned the word or how to use them correctly in a sentence. The other day I was making your lunch and you ran into the kitchen and said, "what you cooking Mama?". Speaking of food, the other night you asked for a butter, cheese, and carrot sandwich. I made it and you ate every single bite and then had it again the next night. You are very curious about everything you see and hear. It seems like your favorite word right now is "why". I should count how many times you say it one day. I really try to answer every "why", but I think the conversation would go on for 6 hours if I did. A lot of times you will finally say, "Oh, okay". That's when I know you're satisfied.

I'm not sure why you turning 3 has me so upset. I think its because I feel so many emotions at once. I am so happy to be blessed with a healthy little boy. I am thrilled at the amazing little man you are becoming right before my eyes. I am proud of how smart you are and how sweet you are. I am sad because I already miss my baby Tyrus that I used to hold in my arms and rock to sleep. I am frustrated because you are growing up so fast. I want to remember everything and I know I can't.

I hope that when you are a grown man you have a slight memory of being a little boy. I hope that you remember how full of love and life and laughter you were. I hope that you still are full of those things. I hope, more than anything, that you remember how much your Dada and I adore, cherish, and love you every single second of your life.

I hope that this next year of your life brings you new joys. I can't wait to see what you learn and see how you change, but I also don't want you to change a single bit.

Tyrus, I know I've said it before, but you will always be my first baby. You will always be my baby boy. We will have our difficult time in the future, but I know that our bond will get us through anything.

Happy Birthday Tyrus!!

I love you,
Mama