Big T,
You are my charismatic, feisty little stubborn three foot-somethin' of handsome and sweet; a better interpretation of me.
You're my last born, the baby, but the most determined and entitled, out to prove you're just as big and bad and smart and cool as your older brothers and you know what? You're right.
You can be my biggest challenge on some days - and on others - my proudest accomplishment. The fire and fight in your big brown eyes, the squeal in your high-pitched laughter and infectious giggles and the furrow in your brow and scowl in your eyes when you've been wronged make me fall in love with you over and over.
How you've gone from baby to four (FOUR!) in seemingly the blink of an eye, I don't know, but when I tell you to stop - no more growing, no more birthdays, no more getting older - you just cross your arms self-righteously telling me "Mommy, I grew bigger! See!" and then show me your muscles.
But for now you still fit in my arms; albeit wiggly and hard to contain for any amount of time. But I'll take those small pieces of time - bits and pieces of you - as you let me have them 'cause the truth is, I can't get enough of you.
Happy birthday to you, my baby who isn't a baby anymore, my baby who is four... my baby who I adore...
I love you, dude.
~Mom
Happy Birthday to the most adorable happiest boy on the Internet! xoxo
Posted by: mrs.notouching | 07 June 2010 at 08:48 PM
Happy Birthday dude!! My favorite thing yesterday was to just keep asking him if all that party stuff was for me. He was like uh NO WAY. LOL
He's a cool dude. All three of them are.
Posted by: Miss | 07 June 2010 at 08:50 PM
What a cute little guy!
When my daughter sees pictures of him (and your other boys) she makes out with my laptop.
Is he single? She's three ;)
Posted by: pamela | 07 June 2010 at 09:01 PM
Such a sweet post. Fantastic photo of the two of you in the middle, too.
Happy birthday, little dude!
Posted by: Maura | 07 June 2010 at 09:01 PM
Happy birthday, Big T! <3
Posted by: Chibi Jeebs | 07 June 2010 at 09:06 PM
Happy birthday!
And I love the second shot of you guys especially!
Posted by: Kristin | 07 June 2010 at 09:10 PM
Special thanks to Miss (@JustOneMiss) for capturing these moments. xo
Posted by: UD {Megan} | 07 June 2010 at 09:24 PM
Love those pictures! Miss is talented. But the subjects are pretty amazing, so I can see why they came out so well.
happy day to you both!
Posted by: Tina Cruz | 07 June 2010 at 09:30 PM
Awwww. Great post, great photos.
My "FiL" likes to say that my man is an improved version of him [the dad].
Sweetness.
Posted by: Al_Pal | 07 June 2010 at 11:56 PM
What a beautiful post! Hapy Bday Big T!
Posted by: GeminiGirl | 08 June 2010 at 03:56 AM
Have I really been reading your blog for that long? He was just a tiny tike. Now he's FOUR?
When I lived in San Diego, two teenagers lived next door to me and their mother told me (while I was chasing my three year old down to take him inside) to treasure this time because it's gone in a blink of an eye. Those are the most profound words and I will remember them forever.
My babies are now 24 and 25. A blink of an eye.
Happy Birthday to your baby!
Posted by: Donna in VA | 08 June 2010 at 05:29 AM
I agree with Donna in VA. It's gone so fast! My baby just turned 20. *sigh*
Happy Birthday Big T!
Posted by: Dawn in Austin | 08 June 2010 at 06:31 AM
This is beautifully written, and with my baby turning four in September, hits so close to home. Happy Birthday to the Big Man, and Happy Mamaversary to you.
Posted by: kristeneileen | 08 June 2010 at 07:27 AM
It's those youngest of the bunch that gets ya right in the heart I think. My youngest does this to me all the time. (SHE'S 23!!!)
Happy Birthday Big T.
And stop growing!
Posted by: claudia w | 08 June 2010 at 07:43 AM
I adore those pictures. Happy Birthday little man.
Posted by: mel | 08 June 2010 at 07:44 AM
I absolutely adore this post. Happy 4th birthday to T.
If you figure out how to make them stop growing, let me know. Please.
Posted by: Issa | 08 June 2010 at 09:17 AM
Happy Birthday Big T! I love you!
Posted by: RV | 08 June 2010 at 10:12 AM
Great pictures and awesome birthday post!
Posted by: A Vapid Blonde | 08 June 2010 at 10:13 AM
T and my nephew share a birthday.
Happy birthday sweet dude.
Posted by: Miss Grace | 08 June 2010 at 10:26 AM
We had the greatest time in the history of time this weekend with you guys. Even though Nugget slept through T's entire birthday party, there's no doubt my shadow nomad couldn't get enough of you and your boys.
Can't wait to come back. :)
Posted by: Jess | 08 June 2010 at 10:55 AM
So sweet, and I love the black & white pics! He reminds me of our middle child, who can be surprisingly easy going and surprisingly tough :).
Posted by: Unplanned Cooking | 08 June 2010 at 02:40 PM
This made me cry - beautiful !
Rachel - Sydney
Posted by: Rachel | 14 June 2010 at 10:31 PM
Awwwww, this was just the sweetest thing! I hope he had a wonderful birthday!
Posted by: Kellee | 23 June 2010 at 09:11 PM