Three.

I am still in shock that our little baby is turning three. I carried him into school this morning, his arms wrapped around my neck and his long legs draping almost to my knees and I thought to myself: He grew inside of me! And came out a little baby...and now, he's so big! I know one day I won't be able to tote him...and those days are closer than I'd prefer them to be. So for now, I'll tote him whenever I can.

I know that from birth to one is a HUGE leap. But, I think two to three is even bigger...Will talks in complete sentences, he sings songs, pretends to be a pirate/chef/cat often and wants to run and jump off anything higher than 2 inches off the ground. He has been potty trained for 6 months...and days of changing diapers seemed to last forever, but now, they seem so long ago. Although he's in his crib, converted to a toddler bed, he's quickly outgrowing that. He is starting to learn how to "color" a picture rather than scribble, he knows a lot of letters - and recognizes his name in any font. He is curious and asks "Why!?" constantly.

His little heart is so big. I see him "fuss" over toys one minute, but then wants to share the very next. We saw my grandmother recently (she's 94) and when we left, he wanted to pray for her to walk better again (he senses the change of her moving from her home to a rest home and doesn't see her up as frequently after her fall before Christmas). He put his little hands together and said something like, "Dear God, I pray Grandma Tart feels better and walks again. I pray she no get hurt. In Jesus name, AMEN!" in the backseat of the car.

Babies create a sense of awe and wonder...just the awesomeness of a baby growing and being born makes you feel the presence and love of God. But, that continues in other ways as they grow. When we sing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" my sweet boy always points out that he is wearing red, yellow, black and/or white and he doesn't see color as race. He doesn't like to see you upset or cry (even if it's happy tears)...and this is the Lord working on my heart through him. He wants me to live a fuller life through Christ. And God wants me to be an example for Will...and He shows me that through my little boy.

Here's the big three video slideshow...don't mind me while I sit and cry!

Song is "Air I Breath" by Mat Kearney. No permissions. Please don't sue me.

My dear baby, you are our biggest joy...our greatest blessing...and you have taught us what love and patience are. I pray that you grow to be kind to others and they are kind to you. I pray you love the Lord and have the faith you do right now, for always. Happy third birthday, my beautiful boy!

xoxo, 
Mama & Daddy