You're THREE! (Now, please stop growing)

First, you were born.  And you were perfect and so beautiful and you looked at me and I looked at you and it was like we both thought "Oh!  It's you!  I've been waiting for you."  And you were tiny and loud and strong willed even on that very first morning.

And then you were one.  And you kind of rocked my world.  You seemed so big to me then, but now, looking back, I can see you were so little.  Still independent, still loud, but with a tiny (actually a very big) personality to go with it.  I remember you careening around the house like a teeny drunken sailor and every day it seemed like you had a new bump or bruise. 

And last year you were two.  And, despite my protests, you had officially left babyhood behind.  You loved Monster Trucks and shaving with Daddy and Lightning McQueen and big trucks.  Always, always, ALWAYS with the big trucks.  That second year was a bit of a challenge as you were testing out toddlerhood and yes, even more independence and still strong willed and (have I mentioned this?) LOUD!

And now, all of a sudden and almost without me noticing it, you're three!

And oh!  You have the attitude to prove it.  You're busy and a blur of energy and you're still LOUD and even more strong willed and there are days when we fight and fight and fight and I think to myself, who is the grown up here?  But also, there are other days when you crawl into my bed early in the morning for a snuggle, or you climb up onto the couch with me after your nap before you're fully awake and you let me rub your back and smell your head and you'll give me as many kisses and hugs as I ask for.

You have an enthusiasm and a zest for life that I hope you always carry with you.  The fun you will have if you allow all the amazing little things to continue amazing you.  You're so excited by birds and flowers and friends and, of course, BIIIIIIIIIIIIG TRUUUUUUUUUUUCKS! 

And you're freaking funny!  Just the other day Ellen was on and Jennifer Aniston came on and first you said "Hey Mommy, she's from your special show."  And then you said, "Ohhhhh, she's cute."  And Daddy was happy.

And then, a few weeks ago, you were having a hard time going to sleep and you asked where Mommy and Daddy where we were going, and I said that we were going out to the living room and you said, "ohhhhhh, so you can kiiiiiiisssssss."  Where do you come up with these things?

But, on top of being funny and strong willed and LOUD, you can be so sweet.  You love to see your friends and are (most of the time) happy to share your toys with them.  You are worried when someone else cries and you love to give hugs and kisses when it's time for your friends to leave.  You've got an excellent memory so even if we haven't seen a certain friend for quite a while, you can pick back up with them right where you left off.

You aren't potty trained yet, a fact which leaves me both frustrated and resigned.  I know it will come in time but, like you, I'm not very patient.  I'm trying to lay off - you'll do it when you do it, right?

This year has been a big year in so many ways not the least of which is you becoming a big brother.

Last year, when I was pregnant with Finley, I wrote that I was worried about how you would react to your new baby sister.  And, frankly, I'd be lying if I said there weren't any hiccups.  We definitely had a few rough weeks but what's interesting to me is that you've never taken your feelings of jealousy out on your sister.  Daddy and I have taken the brunt of that.  But it's been so wonderful to see how sweet you are to Finley.  You are a great big brother and she is so lucky to have you.  You give her the gentlest kisses and when she wakes up from her naps you rush into her bedroom with me and say, "Hi, Beauty Girl" and it's so innocent and loving and I just want to squeeze you both forever.

Conor, I couldn't have asked for a better boy.  If I had made a list when I was pregnant with you I couldn't have listed all the ways you amaze me every day.  We have a book and the last line reads:

And if I had a million days
And time enough for all the praise
I couldn't tell you all the ways
I love you.

You're quite simply perfect.

I love you to the moon, and around the stars, and under the ocean, and on the tram and right back to your bed.

Forever and always,

Mommy