Happy Birthday Monkey Man

(As part of my previously mentioned goal to publish this beauty of a blog into a book that can be enjoyed forever, I decided to write each of my kiddos a letter for their birthdays. Brax is the first birthday of the year, we will see how I am doing by Jace's birthday. The pictures are all from his birthday a couple of weeks ago. They are worse than usual, I think we have a 3rd birthday curse here because somehow all of Jace's 3rd B-day pictures got erased forever and Braxton's are all blurry. Oh well. )

Dear Braxtie-Boo,

First off, sorry that is your nickname, but it has been since you were born and I don't think it is going anywhere. When we brought you home from the hospital 2 1/2 year old Jace couldn't say Braxton and just called you Braxtie. I thought it was cute and started calling you that too and later added the boo. Hopefully I will be able to stop it before you are in Junior High so I don't totally embarrass you.

Boy, time has flown with you my baby boy. It doesn't seem like that long ago it was May 2, 2006 and you were joining our family. You were my easiest labor and delivery so far, and were such a content little guy. You loved when I held you and I am glad I took the time to cuddle you when you were brand new and couldn't run away, because by the time you turned one you were running all over the place trying to do everything Jace did. You walked early and talked early and have been wanting to be one of the big boys almost as long as you have been alive.

There are so many things I love about you my little monkey. You have such a tender little heart. If I even look at you crossly you are devastated. If I try and put you in the corner forget it, you are sure that we will never be friends again. That tenderness extends to Jace and Ashlyn too. I don't know how many times you have said "Don't be mad at Jace, he is my brother!!" in your sternest little voice. I love that you are so sensitive (most of the time) and that you stick up for people you care about.

I don't know if I love this, but you have no fear. I walked in your room the other day just in time for you to yell "Mommy, watch this" as you jumped off the top bunk. I thought for sure you would break something, but you jumped right up to try it again, before I told you not to. : ) You always go for the tallest slide, the biggest ladder, and the most daring stunts. You make me a nervous wreck at the park and I pray every day you don't break something before I can stop you. So far my prayers have been heard : )

You became the middle child a little sooner than I thought you would but you have been a prefect fit. Jace loves to play with you, but so does Ashlyn. You can run around with the big boys one minute and then crawl around with Ashlyn the next. I always worry if I am giving you enough attention between all of Jace's activities and doing everything for Ashlyn, so usually you will stay up a little later than the other two and that is just your time to talk to me and daddy and let us know everything you have been thinking. Some of the things you have asked me lately, "If you cut off all your hair mommy will you turn into a boy?" (thankfully, no), "why do you share your bed with daddy? He should get his own big boy bed." (No comment.) "If I keep getting bigger will I be a dinosaur one day? (no, you will always be a person.) You also recently decided to spill a full jar of pumpkin pie spice all over the kitchen floor just so you could use my new broom-vac to clean it up. Somehow you ended up blowing it all over the kitchen. That's just my Braxtie.

This next year you get to start full-time preschool, sports teams and Sunbeams. Let's hope there will be no more Legos up your nose, no more "blank" talk, and a few less messes. I also hope there are lots more smiles, laughs, hugs, kisses and funny questions. You are such a fun little guy and I love being your mom. Don't grow up too fast!

Love-

Your mommy

Party hats were a must this year.

His favorite meal, pizza and melon.

Even though it was cold and rainy, he really wanted to have a water balloon fight.

Ashlyn is saying "Yeah playdough! Please open it so I can put a big glob in my mouth that will get stuck in my six teeth"

Kung-Fu Panda. He has been wanting this cake since the movie came out last summer.

His picture smile. Painful looking isn't it? I kept trying for a more natural smile but it was a no go. This is classic though.



He had a great Birthday. Thanks for all our family who helped us celebrate. Next up...Ashlyn turns one on Saturday...I already feel the tears coming on. I am such a sentimental mess on my kids birthdays, especially the first. It is like they are officially not a little baby anymore. I will save it for Saturday though...