The 4th year

Dearest Colton,

Another year has flown by and you spent it growing and changing into a little boy.  Gone are the days of rocking you, changing your diaper, or putting you down for a nap.  Those things have been replaced with coloring pictures, throwing balls, or playing games.  And, as much as I loved that stage, I love this stage even more!  

In full disclosure, the year had its rocky moments.  Our personalities caused some head-butting and potty training became a marathon -- but that seems so long ago.  At this very moment, I love you more than I ever thought possible.  You are the sweetest, most caring, loving little being and your actions remind me to try to be better every day.  

 

You are in "do-it-yourself" mode and you want to pick out your clothes, get dressed, brush your teeth, etc. all by yourself and you do each step with the patience of a saint.  Just yesterday you took about 5 minutes to put on your sandals and I thought I was going to lose my mind...until I looked at your determined face and saw that you were trying your hardest and weren't letting some strap setbacks frustrate you in the slightest.  And you come to us with your shirt on backwards almost every day.  When we tell you it's backwards, you just smile before kindly asking for our help.  I need these lessons from you, Colt.

Four years later and you still love to give us hugs and cuddles!  You like group hugs and multiple kisses in a row and you aren't afraid to love on your brother even though doing so results in a wrestling match nine times out of ten.  

You remind us to pray before every meal and you like to be the one to lead the prayer.  Your considerate words don't stop there though...as you are quick to thank people for things and impress people with your manners often.  When I opened my birthday present from Grandpa and Grandma, you leaned in to Grandma for a hug and said, "Thanks for giving that to my mom."  

No one is perfect though - and you're no exception as you've had plenty of time outs this past year.  Most of them have resulted from a sharing disagreement between you and Jax or you and a friend.  But you don't hold grudges and you're quick to forgive and return to the fun.

I took this picture just to show that you still have to stand tip-toed to reach

Your two biggest transitions this year involved potty training and napping.  Potty training did not come easily and you fought a hard fight.  You had a legit fear of using the potty and it took a lot of work and tons of patience (from Daddy, Mommy was already at her wit's end!) before we finally put you in underwear full-time.  To give you some incentive, Michelle promised you a Chuck-E-Cheese date and we promised you that you could join a sports team once you were potty trained.  Michelle held up her end of the deal.  And now we're following through with ours as you've decided you want to try to baseball this Fall. 

Sometime in there, you also decided that you didn't want to nap anymore so we dropped your afternoon nap.  We can tell that the days are still exhausting though because you are quick to fall asleep in the car if we drive further than 5 miles and you'll even lay down to "rest" in our bed with us if we ask you.  You go to bed a little before 8:00 and you like to have your monkeys with you.  You're still the first person awake and you're a happy camper the minute your feet hit the floor!

You are Daddy's "rest" buddy

Your favorite things include play-doh, dancing/tumbling, being a helper, going to Grandpa & Grandma's, and taking/looking through pictures.

I find pictures like this on my phone often (and I love it!!).

You've filled my heart with so much joy in only four year's time and you complete our world.  Life is better with you in it and I praise God for the gift of you all the time.  We love you more than iPhones, sunsets, and cupcakes!