Happy 4th Birthday Jonah!

jonah mark ~ 2 days old

Happy Birthday to the most amazing little boy i know! 4 years ago today, you made me realize that my heart lived not only within me, but within you too. You taught me how to love someone in a way I never knew possible. You showed me what unconditional love is and how to live my daily life on much less sleep than I thought I needed. You will always be a piece of me and I hope I will always be a piece of you. I love you with more love than I could imagine. You are my wonderful and amazing boy. I love you SO much! Happy 4th Birthday Joj!

jonah mark ~ 4 years old

Happy birthday my Sweet Boy, today you are 3!

Dear Jonah,

So many things have changed in the last year. This very day, just a year ago, you were getting used to the fact that you were now an older brother, and that your little sister was here to stay. We had a super fun party for you, with a floor covered in balloons and dancing with your cousins to the Wiggles. At the age of two, you were just getting in to talking. You decided that you weren’t going to say anything unless it was important. And one day, not too long before your second birthday did you begin to say more than 10 words. You made it worth the wait, because now….you tell us stories, and jokes, and you understand sarcasm, and please don’t tell anyone that you and Daddy watch Family Guy together. This past year we haven’t been able to leave the house much since your baby sister is just a baby, but I remember something very special we did together. Remember the blue yellow submarine at The Museum of Science and Industry? I knew you would love it. And you were such a good boy while we went on the tour with all of the adults that I am sure were cursing under their breath when they saw us standing in line to get in. but you were so good. And you listened so intently to the tour guide, and you were so interested. Everyone was impressed by your good behavior. But that’s the thing about you Joj, you’re such a good boy most of the time. You have such a gracious and tender heart. You adore your sister so much. You guys are the best of friends already. And you care so much about how other people feel and always want to give them something. You LOVE to wrap presents, and you often run around the house finding various treasures, to wrap and give to those important people in your life; like grandma or grandpa, or even me and daddy. But you always tell us we have to wait for our party’s. You’re so cute like that.

You have this way of getting me to say “Yes” to whatever it is you are asking. You will say” You say Yes? Or no? Yes? No? Yes? Or no?” It’s so funny. Because all I can do is giggle, and most of the time, I give in.

It’s so easy to give in to you. You flash me that cute handsome smile and I just melt. You are kind and loving and fun spirited, everyone just loves to be around you.

You are growing up so fast. Just a few days before your 3^rd birthday you got your very own Big Boy Bed. We had been talking about your Big Boy Bed for 6 months now, and I am a mix of emotions about it. It means you are growing up. It means you won’t need me by your side any more. It means you are closer and closer to those days when it will be impossible for me to drag you out of bed. That very bed I presume. My how times have and will change. I want to hold on to your Mickey Mouse bedding for life, hoping that somehow I will be able to hold on to you, and keep you my little boy forever.

But it’s days like today, the celebration of another year going past that makes each and every birthday of yours a little more bittersweet than the one before. Makes it pull on my heart just a little harder. Makes me hold you closer and tighter than the day before.

Jonah ~ 3 months

Jonah ~ 3 years

Happy Birthday my sweet boy. I can't wait to see you grow, but try not to do it too fast okay?

Love,

Mommy

That Someone Was You ~ Happy Birthday Lily

Dear Lily,

It's been a year. A whole year since you went from being in my womb to being in my arms. That day, that moment I saw you for the first time. That sweet dimple was all I could focus on when Dr Henry showed you to me for the first time. Today, that dimple is still a conversation starter.

You were precious and amazing and lovely and beautiful. You were mine and meant to be MY baby, and it felt so good to finally have you all to myself.

I loved laying in the hospital bed, just you and me. I snuggled and loved on you ever so much. We hit a few rough patches right from the start, we both know that. But those rough patches are what has made us who we both are today. And along with all the millions of happy times that have far outweighed the tough times, we are a perfect pair.

You fit ever so perfectly into our lives. You rounded out our family and have made us whole. You filled a part of our hearts that were missing, and now we are complete.

Giving birth to you was the easy part, I honestly cannot complain. From "start to finish" (the moment I got into that hospital bed to the time you were born was roughly around 5 hours. Thanks for taking it easy on Mommy. I appreciate you making it so easy.

Loving you was the easy part. I loved the smell of your hair, I could breath it in for hours. And cuddle your snuggly goodness until the end of time.

Your big brother wasn't so sure of you at first. It took him awhile to adjust to you being around. But he came around and now the 2 of you are like best buds. It fills my heart with so much joy to hear the 2 of you giggle and play and share secrets like you do. You will never find another person on this planet that will love you the way a brother does. Cherish it, he will always love you and protect you and watch out for you. At times, now and in the future, it may seem overbearing, but he is (and will be) doing it out all the best intentions possible.

We love you more than any words can explain. You have made our family what it is today. It has been a full year and I look forward to all of the new milestones you will reach in the coming year(s). You have come so far. You are walking and trying to talk. You are eating big girl food 99% of the time and want to do EVERYTHING your brother does. You love to be held and carried. You smile so big when we dance with you and you LOVE to climb the stairs. You cry so hard whenever I leave the room and each and every day you and your daddy are getting closer and closer. Love your daddy to pieces, the love a daddy and a daughter have is one of those most special loves on the planet. You'll see that as you get older. You guys will have so much fun.

Lily, you complete me. You have made my heart whole and full. Mommy's heart has 3 parts, one for daddy, one for jonah, and one for you. Before you were born, it was just waiting for someone to fill it. That someone was you.

Happy birthday my sweet angel. I can't imagine my life without you in it. I look forward to all of the amazing things we will get to experience with you. Thank you for giving us all you have to give, it has always been exceptional, and you don't even know it.

Love,

Mommy

Party on Bill. Party on Ted.

With the kids birthdays just around the corner (both in March), I have started thinking about themes for their parties. Lily will be 1 and Jonah will be 3, so I pretty much still have control over them as of now, so I am wanting to go all out!

For baby girl, I want something girly, but not traditional. I want something unique and fresh and new. Suggestions?

For Jonah, I am pretty lucky because we are having his party somewhere that doesn't require us to purchase themed anything, they provide it ALL! Now, that doesn't mean I won't turn on them, and tell them I want them to use the cups, napkins, and plates I provide. LOL. I am thinking of something to do with music, guitars, and possibly the BEATLES for him!

Do you have any fun and interesting birthday theme ideas for your little ones? I'd love for you to share, or give me and tips or advice for throwing the perfect parties!