Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Dear little kid,

Today you turn 4. Several days ago I reminded you, "Your birthday is Tuesday! You'll be 4!" and you looked wistful as you nodded in agreement.

"Mumum?"

"What?"

"I'mma invent a 'chine to make me stay tiny forever. Mmkay?"

"That sounds like a great machine!" I answered, wishing you could make it true.

I asked you what was wrong when you suddenly looked sad. "I don't think I can make a 'chine like 'at 'til I'm already big. So it won't wook."

"You should invent a time machine and we can go back to whatever time you want," I offered.

You looked interested but doubtful. "I gonna try, but I don't know if I can." I told you it was worth trying.

Every single day you ask me, "I's gonna get bigger, right? Every day I gonna get bigger, no matter what," and I confirm that it's true. It's not that you want to get bigger, it's that you don't want to get bigger and are checking to see if there are any ways around that.

You are a happy, joyful, mischievous and (mostly) carefree (for good and for bad) little soul. These are the days of your life, and you're wise enough to know that. Each day is a new adventure and you can have a good time anywhere, any time, under any circumstances. You exude fun and glow with genuine mirth.

You are bold in everything that you do, including how you express your love. You knock your big brother down daily with bear hugs, both of you collapsing in a heap of giggles (or yelling). You creep into our room at dawn to rub daddy's back and press your face into his shoulders as he sleeps. You serenade me each day with a song you made up. I always wanted someone to write a song about me and you did. It mostly goes like this:

"Mumum, come to my heart! Come.To.My.Heart, my looooooooooooove! COME to my HEART, my DEAR mum-muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmm. Cometomy HEAAAAAAAAART where you should be because I loves you, my sweet mommy. COME TO MY HEART!!! My loooooooooove."

I hear this in your warbling, high little voice while waking up or making you lunch. It is ridiculously funny and completely absurd. It often makes me laugh and tear up at the same time. I got the guy who wrote me my song. It was just a slightly different guy and song than I had envisioned. I love it and you more than I can ever say.

I know that 4 is going to be an awesome year for you. You started pre-k yesterday and this is the first phase of our life where you've ever been away from me for any set amount of time. I didn't think you were ready, but you were. You gave me a quick kiss and turned and walked away, looking impossibly big in the school clothes you helped pick out...looking not very much like a baby at all. You are getting bigger every day, whether we like it or not.

I feel blessed to have the happiness and silliness you bring to our home. I look forward to seeing where life takes you. But I also hope you manage to invent that machine that will keep you tiny.

I like you, I love you and I'll always protect you.

In your heart forever,
Mom

8 comments:

JulieStyles said...

Way to make me tear up! My "babies" are 10 & 12 and so much of the joy your little guy has is rarely expressed anymore. I hardly remember the immense cuteness and happiness of those toddle/pre-k years. There is new cuteness and fun now-but it will never be like it was. Thank you for you beautiful post to remind me to stop and look back, instead of always running forwards.

Drew's Mom said...

Happy Birthday Little Kid!! Hope you guys have a great day! And if that machine ever gets invented, please send one my way =)

Jennifer said...

And now I'm crying again. This has been the most sentimental week for me.

Bud has just started saying, "I not a big boy, Imma baby." And no matter what you say or do he will not give in to being a big boy. I love it.

Anonymous said...

Most of the time, I think I don't want kids. This makes me change my mind :)

Anonymous said...

Uh..Ok. Im in the midst of MAJOR PMS here..lol, and I have already found myself crying at both a Folger's coffee comerish, AND an idiotic episode of Army Wives. LOL! This post, however, sent me into a fit of full on SOBBING. It was the SONG. OMG.. the SONG. LOL!! Even thinking of it, makes the tears spring right back up. Happy, happy birthday, LK!!
~CoCo

Jen said...

You have such a way with words that it makes me feel like I'm right there with you... I have a little guy(who reminds me so much of your little one) that will be 4 here in about 7 weeks and this touched me so much...

I have been an emotional wreck today and just reading this has really made me an even bigger sap...

Happy birthday to such a sweet little boy...

Wanna Be Iron Mommy said...

Thanks for the morning sniffle. That was beautiful.

Jamie said...

I.am.bawling! That was such a sweet post. I just sent my little girl to preschool today. I was doing so well until I read this post. You have quite a way with words!
I'll take a time machine too, as soon as little kid invents it!!