Momma Much

Usually right before a birthday I think “where did time go???” But today, as I sit here and think about Michael’s fourth year of life I think, “Wow, it feels like he’s been FOUR forever.”

Which, if you know Father Time like I do, is totally weird.

It’s amazing how the decision I made a year ago to quit Instagram has led me to this place of complete peace knowing that I have enjoyed my children to the fullest over the past year.

And fully un-enjoyed parts too.

Because all of it makes up the beautiful messy 365 days that lies between each birthday.

I spent the last year loving him the way only I could, and giving him not only the leftover distracted bits, but the best bits of me.

What a great feeling.

Time passes, yes it does. But now I don’t think “where did it go??” I know where it went. I was there.

So as I sit here today and reflect on the past year, I feel like it was a life-time. Not a blip. And there are so many years just like that ahead of us.

And each one will be a ginormous adventure. Because, Michael. He’s my wild card.


He’s mostly boy, but still tiny-part baby. He still says “Anoder” instead of “another” and when he eats a peanut butter sandwich he has no qualms getting it (and leaving it) all over his face.

This is the year he stopped saying “B-Elle” and started saying “Brie-lle.” I never thought it would come.

They both say “since that” instead of “because.” Which tickles me to my core. “Mommy, since that we were so good at the appointment can we get a treat?” Yes, because you said “since that.”

I walked into Brielle’s room the other day and they were playing together so beautifully. I heard Michael say to Brielle: “Do you want to be Pals for life?” I mean, their relationship is so so precious.





I see his beautiful self emerging more every day.

Sometimes after a long night’s sleep he’ll come into the living room and I can see he’s changed overnight. He’s taller, smarter, stronger.

He’s so talented. He beat boxes constantly.


Both Brielle and I were pretty impressed by how fast he can move his hands!

He has very high expectations of me. The other day: “Okay mommy, this is your first chance… Count to googleplex. COUNT!”



He is a worker bee. And when Brenden or I are outside working he is never short on compliments: “Good job working hard Daddy.”

I can’t wait to see who this kid is going to grow into.


He learned how to swim for real this year! We did a few groups of lessons but the real push was when he watched a little boy named AJ under the water as he swam. He saw how he moved his arms and legs and just copied it. That is exactly how I learned to swim when I was little! Here he is admiring his new Mickey Mouse suit.

He takes eating very seriously.


He’s adventurous!

He loves “driving” the boat up in Rhode Island!

Scootering is his new jam! He loves it!

We surprised the kids with a trip to Disney for Christmas, and not surprisingly now he wants to know “when can we go back??”


Stitch was his favorite.

He is some kind of handsome. Sometimes I look at him and say “ARE YOU MINE??” Of course he answers very matter of factly: “Yes.”

He always has a toy in his hand. He’s all boy.

He is in Pre-K at First Presbyterian Preschool and loves it. He’s super excited to join Brielle and I homeschooling in the Fall. I will have a Kindergartner and a second-grader!

Chocolate chocolate and more chocolate. That’s all I have to say about that.

He has Brenden’s mad forehead/eyebrow control. They are quite the pair.
Another example of forehead control.

He did karate for a hot minute last summer. It quickly interfered with our summer vacation plans and then soccer, but it was fun while it lasted! And his cuteness in a gi can’t be explained.

Such a big boy, helping daddy look at the map, and actually being interested.

Sissy is always close by.

We have our own dates where he sips his hot chocolate and I sip my tea and we read books books books. I want him to always remember reading with his momma.

Like his sis, he has a sweet spot for sweets. But never whipped cream, and the more chocolate the better!



And soda is his favorite thing in the world.

He is the best happy-birthday-wisher.

He loves his daddy oh so much.



 

I just read through all his other birthday posts.
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
and then a bonus one of his second birthday party with just a lot of cupcakes and deliciousness from the lovely and much missed Sweethaus.

I cried several times. Brielle was reading with me and when Michael woke up and came in the room she said “Michael, mommy loves us so much she was crying  about us being babies.”

Busted.

This is the part where I couldn’t hold back the waterworks. Brenden was sitting across the room from us and gave me a look of “I love you” and “I feel sorry for you” simultaneously.

“Last night was the first time you didn’t “shrinka milkie” before bed. I thought I was going to have to do something drastic to wean you from your right-before-bed nursing (the last bit of nursing you and I both were holding on to!) But last night you didn’t even want to. You lay your head on my shoulder and just closed your eyes while I rocked. You must be listening when I say “you are a big boy now.”

And you are. You are so big.  And so smart. And so kind. And funny. And sweet to your core. We love you so much Michael James Grace. You are the light to our shine.

XOXO