Where to begin?  You both have grown so much from age 2 to age 3 and yet it is still so hard to believe that you are  3 years-old now.  Your personalities are developing daily and its so much fun to watch you grow.

You began school full-time this year, which has added to your growth to who you both are today.

Braddock,

My first born.  My heart grew for you at 10:38 am on November 24, 2009.  From the moment of knowing your existence you had my heart, but nothing compares to the moment of knowing you had taken your first breath.  Your first few minutes were scary, as I don’t remember much crying and I remember the staff hustling around and speaking quietly.  But you are my fighter and came through several obstacles, including a hole in your lung.  You have Mommy’s personality, no doubt.  You are a tad, or at times a lot, bossy and are most definitely OCD.  You love lists and are so very smart.  I have to show you something 1 time and you catch on without hesitation.  You have become my shy child in public and I have many pictures of your head down and your hand in your mouth to prove it.  Though around people you know, you act like Daddy.  You want full attention on you and will do anything to get it.  I love that.  You are an entertainer, for sure.  Mommy and Daddy affectionately refer to you as our third parent.  You help keep Sawyer in line sometimes.  This past year you had your 1^st major surgery (though still outpatient), as you had tubes placed in your ears and an adenoidectomy.  You were a trooper and the nurse said you came out of anesthesia without a tear.  I truly believe that.  You are mature beyond your years (though there are still tantrums to be had).  You are becoming more of a Momma’s boy and this could not make me more proud.  Your current passions are The Hulk, Thomas the Train, Cat in the Hat, Cars, and Mickey Mouse, and wolves.  You love to eat, as you are my “good eater”.  You love a variety, including PopTarts (those 6am school mornings don’t allow for a 3 course breakfast), Oatmeal, bananas, mandarin oranges, cookies, and grapes.  All foods that you request on an almost daily basis.  Your favorite song to sing is “You are my sunshine” which has so many meanings to me, I tear up now just writing the title to the song.

Sawyer,

My sweet Sawyer.  My heart grew even larger at 10:39am on November 24, 2009.  You also had my heart with your first breath.  We call you our flirt, which even proved to be true during your NICU stay.  We decided you stayed longer in the hospital to be able to spend more time with the nurses.  You love to dance and are always smiling (except for posed pictures, ha). You are Mr. Independent.  You can play for hours by yourself (as you often do when Braddock is watching tv or reading a book) and are such a leader by nature.  Braddock always looks to you for direction, and you happily give it to him.  You are far more interested in potty-training and love to be praised for doing so.  You are so athletic and pick up on anything physical so quickly.  Your current passions are Spiderman, The Avengers, Thomas the Train, Cat in the Hat, Cars, and Mickey Mouse, and wolves.  I am pretty sure you could eat chicken every day for the rest of your life.  Some meals you are too busy to even stop and eat.  You love grapes, mandarin oranges, pudding, cookies, and cashew nuts.  You are both laid back and an attention hog like Daddy.

There really are not enough words to summarize the 2 boys (no longer babies) that you both have become.  God has blessed me more than I deserve, and I am so lucky to have you both call me Momma.