3!

Mr. Tickles turned three this week. My baby boy, a big three year old. This is when they really start to "mature" (if you can use that word to describe a three year old!) and go from dependent to independent. I'll miss that baby. But look with anticipation to the boy he is becoming.

(baby Tickles with his beloved pillow)

He has a heart of gold and loves to help out in any way his three year old self can. He's proud to be a "big boy" but still loves to snuggle up with Mama and his silky pillow. Oh, that pillow. How he loves his "red and yellow" pillow. He has slept with it since he was a baby.

When he looks at me, I can see in his smiling eyes how much he loves me.

He doesn't use a lot of words.

He knows a lot of words, just chooses not to use them.

So if you go out of your way todo something special for him, he might not have a lot to say about it, but he'll give you that beautiful smile. In fact, it doesn't have to be something special. He appreciates little things. Like, covering him up with a blanket or saving the last strawberry for him.

Yesterday morning he woke up from a bad dream so I carried him into my bed. I ran and got his pillow for him and when I brought it to him, he looked deep into my eyes and had the most genuine smile I have ever seen. It was as if he could see my soul. I've never had anyone look at me like that except for Mike. I asked him what he was thinking, but he just smiled and then turned over to snuggle into his pillow. I will never forget the pure joy I felt from that look. I hope I will always know how to make him that happy. I hope I never forget how much he appreciates little things.

It takes him awhile to warm up to people. But if you stick around long enough, and are able to win his heart, lucky you. Cause this boy knows how to love. Truly and deeply love. Not a day goes by that he doesn't quietly walk up to me, put his little arms around me and whisper, "Mommy, I love you."

It's tough being the younger, big kid. Especially when the older two have so very much to say! I can't tell you how many times Mr. Tickles gets interrupted. If I didn't intervene, he wouldn't be able to finish a sentence the entire day. And when he does get the chance to speak and all gets quiet and the spotlight is on him, he begins to stutter and then covers his eyes. He doesn't like the spotlight. He very much likes to share it with his big sister and bigbrother.

I feel so bad as the day gets busy, and Mr. Tickles will ask for something. I have every intention of helping him but will get so easily side tracked. He doesn't get angry or lose patience. He will just politely remind me that he needed something. Sometimes even two or three times. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Tickles!" And he'll just smile at me. He has taught me a thing or two about patience. What a sweetheart he is.

I love to watch him play with his older siblings. He copies EVERYTHING that Mr. Funny does or says. It's adorable. Mr. Funny takes pride in being his little brothers role model and told me he's going to be a good example to him so he can help Mr. Tickles get to heaven. Best buddies, those two. And he loves it when Little Miss Chatterbox teaches him during school. She's been helping him write his letters. It's very sweet to watch. Both Little Miss Chatterbox and Mr. Funny are wonderful older siblings. They reallylook after Mr. Tickles. The bond between brothers and sisters amazes me.

And speaking of older siblings, Mr. Tickles has really taken to his role of Big Brother! He's very protective of Little Miss Sunshine. He'll see her with something she shouldn't have and say, "Mom! That's choke size!" and then he'll get a toy that he finds more appropriate, and swap it out for the one she had. He lovingly gazes at her when she's sleeping and will gently stroke her cheek or her hand. He calls her "cutie". And when he thinks no one is around, he sings to her. And no one can make her laugh the way that he does. All he has to do is look at her and a big belly laugh comes out. They have the same laugh and cry. Lately, I will hear a cry or a laugh and think it's Mr. Tickles. But then to my surprise, it will be Little Miss Sunshine. Funny how siblings share things like that.

Happy birthday, my dear Mr. Tickles! You are one of a kind and I love you so very much!

(pictures from his Batman Bowling party, sharing the celebration with his favorite Uncle who's birthday is March 6. Pancake pictures from his actual birthday, March 15th)