Happy Birthday Buddy!!

Dear Alex,
Today you turn 3 years old! I can't believe my baby is 3! When I look at pictures of you when you were a baby I get very sad. You were such a pleasant, fun-loving baby and I don't think I took enough time to enjoy you. Almost every picture I have of you is with a smile. Even still, when you are doing something you like you are smiling! All summer in the pool; smiles. At gymnastics; smiles. Your smile is possibly my most favorite thing in the whole world!! You have this tiny dimple in the corner of your mouth that melts me! Not to mention your big blue eyes! Basically you are the cutest kid ever!

I think you might end up being a comedian someday. You are hilarious! The silly voices that you do are great as well. You have more personality in your tiny finger than most adults that I know!!! Another word that would perfectly describe you is STUBBORN!! Which is so wonderful when you are trying to learn new things, but SO difficult when I am trying to teach you NOT to do things. You never give up. You were a little afraid of heights in gymnastics but you never gave up and kept trying and now you have no trouble at all. I really admire you for that.

I think you are just very fun to be around! I really enjoy your company. When you are playing alone you have this very concentrated look on your face and it makes me want to stare at you for hours! You LOVE to be tickled and tortured which is super fun for the rest of us! You pretend you want us to stop but as soon as we do, you ask us to "do it again"! I think your most ticklish spot is your shoulders. But I'll get you wherever I can that will make you laugh.

You have a very sweet spirit. You are very concerned for others and you always want to include everyone in the fun. You are a big mama's boy but I love that recently you have been loving daddy too and wanting to be around him. We bought you a Nerf football for your birthday so you and daddy can play catch. Never forget that daddy loves you (and that football is the greatest sport). I think remembering that your parents love you will get you through a lot in life.

I love you so much Alex!! You are a true joy to me and I honestly hope that we will be best friends our whole lives! Thank you for being my baby boy!

Love,
Mama