10 Years Later

Greg and I are very blessed to have just celebrated 10 years of marriage on June 14th.  In honor of the big occasion we spent a week in Hawaii, just the two of us.  This was the first time for both of us to be away from Nicholas for more than a few days and I have to say that it went beautifully.  We enjoyed our time alone and Nicholas more than enjoyed a full week of spoiling by his grandparents.  He also got to spend a weekend in Branson with his cousins, and it just doesn't get much more fun than that.  Being away from your kids just isn't what it used to be thanks to the convenience of cell phones and FaceTime, but even so Greg and I were both ready to get home to him by the last few days of the trip.  I'm pretty sure it hurt us much more than it hurt him, but I'm taking that as a good sign that his vacation was just as special as ours.  Seeing Hawaii has long been a dream of mine and it was absolutely everything I had hoped it would be.  Of course that means hundreds of pictures but I decided to throw a few of my favorites together into one little video with some fun music to accompany them.  I hope you enjoy!

Progress

I am so excited to be writing this post and sharing some special video of Nicholas' swimming progress.  We've been attending swim lessons for a couple of months now and yesterday we finally saw all of the hours of hard work paying off as he finally started swimming all on his own.  During class, he's been able to manage a few feet by himself but nothing like what happened yesterday.  Our good friends next door, Mike and Emerald, invited us over for the afternoon and we decided to get in a little practice without the sacred floaties.  He started out really good and got stronger and stronger with each try.  But, that wasn't all he had in store for us.  For some reason, he's become terrified of jumping from the side of the pool and absolutely refused to do it at swim class without his coach holding his hands.  Greg and I were baffled because he had no problem with this last summer when he would jump from the back of the boat into the water at the lake.  I've just tried to be really patient with him, understanding that this fear was a really big deal to him but one that he would overcome when the time was right for him.  Well, I guess the time was right yesterday because he amazed us all by jumping not only from the side of the pool, but also from the waterfall ledge which is actually pretty high for a small guy like him.  He started out doing the jumps with his floaties but quickly advanced to doing it without any help.  Greg and I were unbelievably proud of him and just shocked that all of his apprehensions flew right out the window in one monumental day!  Way to go, Nicholas!

June 3, 2012 = 4

Nicholas is four.  Even as I'm writing it now, a few days after his birthday, I still cannot believe it.  I openly admit that this one has been really hard for me.  There's just something about this age that makes me realize he's really growing up.  Four seems like the true gateway to boyhood, the point where the baby is left behind and the need for mommy and daddy gradually becomes less and less.  Maybe I'm overreacting, but that's just me.  I'll never forget the night of his birthday as I tucked him in for bed.  I was cuddling with him and we were talking about how special he is and how much I love him when I got a little emotional and may have shed a couple of tears.  He looks up at me and ever so sweetly says "Don't worry, I'm still little".  I could have died right then and there.  But, I'm trying hard to stay focused on the positives and all of the wonderful things about a four year old.  About a week ago, as his birthday was fast approaching, I sat back and started listing in my mind the every day things he says and does that completely melt my heart.  I thought this would be the proper time to write them down so I never, ever forget our boy just as he was at 1,460 unforgettable days old. 
-Some nights, he'll sneak out of bed, crawl past Greg in the living room so his escape won't be detected, and quietly comes in our bedroom for one more hug and kiss good-night from Mama. 
-When he was a baby he reminded me of Sweet Pea in the Popeye movie so that became one of my favorite nicknames for him.  To this day, if anyone tries to call him a different nickname he demands they call him Sweet Pea, even to the point of defensive anger.
-As I've mentioned before, he's making friends on his own now.  Wherever we go, he tries to make friends with other kids and calls everyone "Buddy".  Sometimes they turn him down but he never stops trying.
-He loves to listen to music.  In the car, in Daddy's office, wherever.  And he likes it LOUD.  And if it isn't loud enough, he'll ask you to turn it up again and again until you do. 
-He absolutely loves getting haircuts. Going to Snip-Its is a form of entertainment for him and I thank my lucky stars that he's never been the screamer.
-He has a wicked sense of humor and he can make me laugh probably more than anyone else on the planet.  Sometimes appropriate, sometimes not so much.  Such is life with a boy - lots of jokes about toots and poo-poo.
-He may be a rough and tumble type of guy who rarely fears anything, including punishment, but he also has a very sensitive side.  He readily shows affection and loves to cuddle and he never skimps on the I love yous.  I hope that never changes.

Okay, there are at least a million more I could write about and this could go on and on forever, but I'll leave it at that.   Instead, let's get on with it and see some pictures. 

Birthday eggs & bacon on his official birthday Sunday morning.

And I'll end this with my traditional birthday photos - the 14:14 shots. 

Happy 4th birthday, sweet boy. I will never forget the day you came into

 our lives and changed our world forever.  We know true love because

of you and I am overwhelmingly thankful that you are mine.