Sam: 49 Months

Dear Sam,

"A day late and a dollar short..." that could be my personal motto these days. Adding one extra family member, running on little sleep, and the frustrations of a slow computer have made for one three late monthly updates in April. But here I am!

As far as big brothers go, you're pretty dang awesome. You are kind, gentle, and loving with baby Evan. You love to hold him and say "Hiiiii" in the sweetest sing-song voice. It's so, so sweet.

On the flip side of sweet, you've managed to maintain your sneaky/naughty side this month as well. Your latest capers involve sneaking candy of all sorts: a chocolate bunny, jelly beans, Tyler H.'s airhead collection. On Easter you escaped the hullabaloo to draw with blue crayon on the toilet seat, bathroom wall, hall walls, and in your bedroom. Nothing a little four year-old elbow grease and magic eraser couldn't handle. This month you also "fed" Maddie's new fish about a year's worth of food. It must have seemed like fish heaven for a minute when Bubbles and Sally experienced food raining down from the sky, covering their homes in abundance. Too bad I had JUST cleaned out the bowls. Ugh.

You still love to dress up, and change clothes multiple times a day. When your cousins were here visiting, you made an appearance as Buzz (and Batman, and a cowboy, and an astronaut, and an explorer, etc.) It's fun to see where your creative mind takes you these days. You've acquired an imaginary friend named Bob who is a cowboy zombie. Go figure that one out.

I've enjoyed putting into practice a brand new phrase around here: "my boys." It's so fun to have two sons. I can't wait to see how your friendship develops over the next several years. I can only hope that Evan loves his sibs as much as you guys love each other! Earlier this month Maddie got in trouble for making a big mess. You wanted so badly to help her clean up, even after Daddy said no, and you were positively heartbroken, breaking into huge tears. Eventually we released you to help out and you were so grateful to be able to work alongside your sister to ease her consequence. Amazing.

With so many changes going on, it's no surprise that you've sneaked in several naps this month. A few times you just climbed right up into my arms and passed out. So, so sweet (and so heavy. holy big boy). I love to watch you as you sleep, as when you start to wake you are so, so sweet and flash me the loviest little grins.

All the changes have also wreaked havoc on your speech. We haven't heard you struggle so much in several months. But we still have hope that you'll improve, and there are several promising things on the horizon that we're arranging to make things as helpful as possible for you.

In the midst of all these ups and downs, you remain the sweetest boy. You are such a love, such a delight, and we enjoy you so much.

Love,

Mama