Happy Birthday, Toby!

~thank you, Christiane, for giving me the idea to write birthday letters to my children~

Toby, I remember clearly that Thursday morning when you were born.

Six years later I can’t imagine our lives without my sunny, sweet and loving Toby!

You love to cuddle, ride bikes, play trains and soccer … You love music, books, and board games ... You’re my kitchen helper, specializing in blueberry muffins and dishwasher duty.

We’ve learned (the hard way!) that you are proud of your schoolwork and like to save your projects. You take care of your things and feel deeply hurt if one of your treasures or toys breaks.

You process by talking, and although shy, you are an extravert. You may someday feel like a stranger in a strange land with this family of introverts. You share many stories about your day and it is delightful to gain this insight into your world.

In the last year, you have grown and developed tremendously. School is part of this growth and I remind myself that one year ago we were not entirely sure you were ready for kindergarten. Your teachers loved you and it was wonderful to watch you come out of your shell this year. You take great pride in your good behavior and try so hard to do everything well. My heart ached seeing your frustration at not being “perfect” at cutting paper or coloring a picture. After many teary days, the sun re-emerged as you announced “It doesn’t have to be perfect, Mommy; I just have to do my best.”

Your confidence has also soared: reading aloud in school, starting piano lessons, and climbing in the Badlands with Jonah are all things you would not have done just one year ago.

You’re our resident worrybug; this year we have been through fear of fires, floods, tornados, bees, bears, and boats. As your vocabulary grows, you are able to clearly articulate your anxieties; talking about them seems to help (as does your thumb). You’ve demonstrated remarkable will power by giving up thumb-sucking (twice!). Although the thumb is back this summer, I know one day soon you will give it up for good.

You love and admire your brother and it is a joy to watch the closeness between you. You parrot Jonah’s words and actions, and while some of the attitude you adopt drives me crazy, the love and admiration behind your behavior is endearing. You and Jonah know how to push each others’ buttons, but you also genuinely love playing together. I am glad you will always have each other.

I cherish the special times we share early on weekend mornings when you and I wake up early. I treasure our books before bedtime (that sounds like a “Magic Tree House” book title, doesn’t it?!) I enjoy your running commentary about whatever is on your mind. I love the way you catch my hand and say “Mommy!” and the way your face lights up when you see me.

I am so proud of the wonderful little person that you’ve become

and so honored to be your mom.

I love you, Toby!