Alex-2 years

When I found out my due date for #4, I contended that I wouldn't be in the hospital on Christmas day.  No,  I was not having any of that!  I scheduled my section for the day after Christmas and went on my merry way. At least once a month,  I'd state to whomever was listening, that I would not be in the hospital on Christmas.  It was my mantra.   I couldn't and wouldn't miss my kids opening up presents Christmas morning.

This sums up our relationship,  Al.  I make a plan and you laugh and change it.  I think I know what I'm talking about, and you quickly prove that I do not. 

(...yes...I was in the hospital on Christmas.  Thank you very much. )

Alex Michael... my heart, my soul.   How are you two?  In the grand scheme of things,  2 really isn't that long of a time period, but holy hell, did those 2 years fly by!  You've grown and changed so much, so quickly.  I feel like I blinked and boom, here we are. 

So, milestone-wise, you're amazing.  Your vocabulary is outstanding.  You speak in sentences and have for a while. I'm not saying that many people can understand you, but you're lucky,  I 'speak Alex'.  You're ridiculously smart.  I'm so pleased with your development in that area. 

You are so cuddly.  You love to give hugs and kisses.  You love to give squeezes.  You're very quick with the "I love you" and you love love.

Your sisters are the sun and moon in your eyes.  You love them so hard... especially your 'Sasa'.  You copy everything Jack does.  He loves to show you how to play.   You are such a huge Daddy fan, as well.   You run so quickly to the door when he gets home from work. 

You are very active.   Yes, that's the understatement of the century.  You don't walk...you bounce.   You don't get up and down off of things. ... you climb and jump.  You cannot be left unattended for a second, without something getting broken or you getting hurt.   Baby gates/locks be damned!  Nothing stops you! You hit, you yell, you don't listen.   You, my youngest and most precious, are my "wild child."  You have been dubbed 'Tornado Alley', but any force of nature works when describing you. 

So, all of this energy and here we  are at 2.  I hope we make it to 3 relatively unscathed!

Child, you have changed everything about me, in some good ways, and some bad.   You've changed the way I parent.   You've changed the way I deal with things.  You've surprised me.... and I've surprised myself.   Life--it's full of learning experiences and let me tell you, I'm in the middle of my biggest one yet. 

Alex,  I love you.   You have completed this family, completed my heart.  We all love you so much and I honestly couldn't imagine life without you.   Your laugh is contagious and your devilish grin makes me smile.   I'm so thankful that you're in my life.  I hope you love me as much as you love 'Paw Patrol'.

... and I thank you for chosing me, to come through unto life to be, a beautiful reflection of His grace.  For I know that a gift so great is only one God could create and I'm reminded every time I see your face. ..

Then

Now