Happy Birthday, Elliot

Today is Elliot's actual birthday. 


And even though we're not telling him that, because he thinks the 14th (when we had his party) was his actual birthday, I'm feeling sentimental today--just thinking about this day, 3 years ago, when we became a family of four. 

Our household looked very different then.  My sister and her son were living with us.  Lucy was not even a year and a half.  We had 5 days of relative peace, and then the house and yard became a construction site, complete with jackhammers and enormous holes through the flooring and foundation and trenches through the backyard. 


 It was a rough transition. 



But Elliot, besides some nursing difficulties, was a much easier newborn than Lucy had been.  We bonded with him quickly and relatively soon we reached a new state of "normal," with him as the youngest.  It was hard to imagine a time when he wasn't there.


He has become a big brother, twice over, since then.  And it has been so much fun to see his personality develop--very different from his big sister's and younger brother's.  He is sensitive and feels things passionately.  He's optimistic, for the most part.  He's not particularly rambunctious, as 3-year-old boys go, but he puts forth great energy in gymnastics and loves to hang like a monkey and do "spinning jumps" on the big trampoline. 



He is incredibly patient and has no problem waiting his turn.  He is ridiculously independent and demands to do things by himself to a degree I've not witnessed in others his age.  He is sweet and affectionate, giving sweet kisses frequently to his baby doll and  telling me at random times, "Mommy--I love you," or, "Mommy, I love Charlie." 


Like Daniel, Elliot has some strong and sometimes narrow food preferences.  But unlike Daniel, he loves mustard and frequently uses his finger to get the last bit off the plate.  He loves all things construction.  His favorite show is Bo On the Go, though I suspect it would be Cars or Bob the Builder if he were shown them.  He loves cinnamon rolls.


Elliot, we love you and are so proud of you--today, and everyday.  You are our treasured oldest boy, and we are delighted with you.