Happy Birthday, Michael T.!

Four years ago this morning, I woke up about 4:30 a.m., thinking that I needed to go to the bathroom, and instead my water broke. Five weeks early. I remember yelling for Alan and repeating over and over, "I'm not ready for this!" After dropping Matthew off at my parents around 7 a.m., Alan and I headed over to the hospital. And at 8:30 a.m., there was a little fella in my arms. I called my friend Alison (Hi Alison!) to tell her I wouldn't be at Bible study that morning. I was just too busy being in love. Thankfully, other than jaundice (making the little stinker a total sleepyhead), he was perfectly healthy. And perfectly perfect. Michael was such an easy baby. After he passed the Sleepy Jaundice Stage, he was just alive hanging out in the world. Very little crying, very predictable schedule, very easy going. Which was extremely considerate of him since his two-year-old brother also kept me hopping.

I always thought Matthew was my Drama King, but in some ways, Michael shares that quality. He is usually very sweet and loving. But sometimes that temper (good heavens - where could that have possibly come from??!!) just flares, and oh, can he give the maddest looks. Thankfully, that glare that just melts your eyebrows off your face is becoming more and more infrequent.

Michael loves being silly (again, where does he get that??), loves being helpful, loves being with his "bro", loves pretending to be a Baby _____ (fill in the blank with his inspiration of the moment). This past year he has morphed into Mr. Imagination Boy. He can't get enough cheese and begs to share my coffee. Generally he eats anything on his plate as well as offers to share bites off mine.

Unlike his brother, he is not a TV boy. Even shows that I would think he would just love, he is not interested in. And if the T.V. was never on, he would be just fine. Instead, when I can't find him, and it's too quiet around the house, he is usually in his room looking at books. Totally love that.He also loves playing outside and loves kicking balls, hitting balls, riding his "motorcycle" (big wheel), playing at the creek, playing on the swingset. Pretty much anything outside that can get him covered in mosquito bites. When we take walks, he takes along a grocery bag to put his "nature treasures" in. He has such wonder in the simplest things.
Alan usually puts the boys to bed at night so I have a few minutes to myself. But I always go in a few minutes later to kiss them good-night. Michael just grins when he sees me come in and says, "Mama! You forgot your LOVE!" Those are very likely the world's sweetest words.
This past year at preschool has been so easy for him. Maybe it's because "bro" is there, but he has always trotted right into the building and doesn't seem ruffled by anything. At the preschool's Christmas concert, he gave an impromptu solo when he just started belting at the number above everyone else. It's been a thrill to watch him learn and grow this year. And his knowledge of "dinos" is unbelievable. Paleontologist, indeed.
Mikey T, we love you so, so much. You are such a loving, happy boy and you bring so much joy to our home. God has given you such a zest for life, and your cooperative, generous spirit is such a blessing to our home. What did we ever do without you? You truly complete our family. We pray that your little mind will continue to grow in knowledge and truth and your heart will be hungry for God. We can't wait to share this next year of your life with you.

Love, Mama and Daddy