"Getting Free"

Look, it's a boy! A little baby Josh, who burst on the scene unexpectedly early 3 years ago. Josh likes to talk a lot lately about when he was born. I told him about how the first time I held him he stared right at me. He seriously stared right into my soul, like he was sizing me up. I felt like he was determining if I was a good enough person. Ever since I told him that story a couple of weeks ago, Josh will say, "Remember when I was a baby and I looked at you like this?" And he'll look right at me, but it's funny with his little grin attached.Then suddenly he was one, loving his birthday party, but shy to be the center of attention once the cake came out.

The second birthday really made an impression, because he has talked about this cake ever since then. He was so excited to get a new bike he kept saying, "Thank you, dad, thank you," over and over.

The second birthday was such a big deal to him he has been planning on the third birthday for months. He sung the birthday song, had us all practice blowing out candles, and told me quite often, "Right now I'm 2, but on my birthday I'm getting free (3)." I'm pretty sure he expected to literally be bigger on his birthday.

Well, the big day arrived, and even though it was low-key, I don't think it was a disappointment to him. I love little kids! My mom invited us to her house for his birthday so we could all celebrate together. There's nothing better than cousins to make Josh happy, so it all worked out. It all started out with a waffle breakfast made by my dad. In this breakfast picture I said, "Smile like it's Josh's birthday!" and this was the result. (Sorry, Tate.)

Josh played with his cousins outside all day, so much so that he got blisters on his nose from sunburn. Oops. Josh and Tate decided drinking water from bowls would be a great activity to keep the party going right.

So this year's cake wasn't as adorable as last year's Elmo, but it looks like he still loves it, right?

Finally, the dream coming true . . . (Was it mean to spread the candles out so, or did it just keep the dream alive longer?)

He was excited about this gift from grandma (Gary's mom). He's been building with it ever since.

Gary and I gave Josh these trucks. When he opened up the package he said, "Holy cow!" and then he saw that it came with a hard hat and said, "Oh, a hat, too!" He knows how to make his parents feel like a million bucks. (He also loves his jacket, shirt, and swimming pool from grandmas, by the way.)

Oh, Joshy, I love you so much. You make me laugh and smile every day. I hope that when you sized me up that day 3 years ago I seemed up to the standard of being your mom, because you are a precious gift to me.

Bonus Josh stories from the day:

We took Josh to a community baseball game because my brother in law in on the team, and Josh loves baseball. He loved pretending to bat while the real batters where hitting. A lady saw him and thought it was cute and asked, "How old are you?" Josh looked up at me like he was trying to make sure it was okay to say what he was planning to. I gave a smile and he proudly said, "THREE!"

I took Josh (and myself) to the bathroom at the game. The bathroom door was bolted open, and I foolishly chose the stall that opens right in front of it. The door locked, so no big deal, right? Well, when it was my turn Josh unlocked and opened the door wide open. I was panicked, "Josh shut the door or everyone will see me going pee!" And I slammed it. As soon as I let go Josh opened the door and yelled, "Hey, everybody, don't watch my mom going pee!" Gary said, "Oh, man, that's the oldest trick in the book." Thanks, guys.