30 Days of Happy, Day 5: Happy Birthday Lil Man!

3 years ago today, my Lil Man was born. 7 lbs, 12 ounces 19 1/2 inches long. And according to the nurse, he had a big head. "Holy cow!" is what she says on the video. And he was strong, according to the neonatal doctor. He said "da baby did everything on his own, we didn't have to help him breath or really help him get all the gunk out. He did it all by himself."

I think these two things are very telling of what was to come as far as Lil Man's personality. He still has a big head and it's hard as heck. Can't get him to do anything but what he is ready to do. He is strong. We are always amazed at the things he accomplishes on his own with his super human strength. (Lil Miss had super human strength too. I used to call her Buffy - as in the vampire slayer.)

Lil Man has always been the type that once he's decided to do something, he's gonna do it. I think he gets this from his dad. At 4 months, he'd decided he didn't want to sit in his bouncy so I could take a shower. So he pushed with his little legs and pushed and pushed until he was almost over the top of the thing. Bouncy seat was put away. At 6 months he'd decided he didn't want to be in his swing anymore, so he figured out a way to get out of it.

He's not out of it yet, here. But he will be within 2 seconds.

At 18 months he was climbing out of his crib. Recently, he climbed to the top of his closet to get all his pull ups down. From the top shelf. Of his closet. That has no shelving anywhere but at the top. He's a magician. He's my little Dennis the Menace.

We struggle with him a lot. He was colicky as a baby. And he never sleeps. He has tantrums like I've never seen. He can be mean, too. He pinches and it will bring tears to my eyes. But he can be so loving too. And as time has gone by, you can totally tell he's a mama's boy.

You know, loving a son is so different than loving a daughter. Not better. Just different.

Lil Jack, I can't believe it was 3 years ago you came into our lives. You have always been a force to be reckoned with. Always with your own ideas. You have tested our patience, pushed us to our limits and made us sleep deprived. But you are such a wonderful little boy. You make me laugh and help me to see the world in a completely different way. And because of you, I can totally run a full day on only 3 hours of sleep and a pot of coffee.

You rock, Lil Man. You totally rock. I love you so much! Thank you for bringing me so much joy and love!