four years of matthew

Dear Matthew,

Has it really been four years since you waltzed into my life unexpectedly early and with a temper that was just as unexpectedly mellow? You are still categorized in my mind as one of my "little boys," even though over this last year you have blossomed in ways that very much prove your desire to be grouped with your older brothers. You've "unmellowed" in often frustrated ways -- your voice has gotten louder as your ability to feel and express anger boils over with sometimes distressing frequency. And you suddenly started finding and voicing your opinions.

But despite these new developments, you are still very much the sweet, mellow Matthew I have known and loved these four years. You still give the best hugs and your enhanced ability to communicate has brought about the most tender and insightful conversations. You are a creature who craves routine, and our days together are pleasantly familiar. Any breaks from our regularly scheduled program bring out your natural inclinations toward hesitancy and reluctance and require advanced and repeated preparation.

This last year has been a big and often overwhelming one for you, and not without its challenges. You managed a move away from the only home you'd known, along with your first year of preschool, which you attend four mornings a week. You've adapted to learn and enjoy both, but they were not easy changes for you. One skill that severely suffered as a consequence was your ability to keep your pants dry. We've tried just about everything, but nothing so far has been permanently helpful. In that regard, it's been a very frustrating year, and it's made me realize that your mellow nature comes with puzzle pieces I can't quite seem to fit together.

I love you, Matthew, and can't imagine my life without you in it. You've been such a calming influence and real blessing to our family, and I'm so grateful that you are mine.

Love,
Mama

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Birthday celebrations!!!

The day began with his first time in the Big Kid room at the YMCA Child Watch. He was excited yet nervous to go, but he put on his brave face and did a great job. It helped that people he knew from church were also there.

For lunch we went to Chick-Fil-A, but he ended up not wanting to stick around long enough to play on the playground because he wanted to get home to prepare for his play date with his friend, Jacob.

Matthew and Jacob had a lot of fun together, starting off their afternoon together with a round of Go Fish.

It was hard to wait until Dad got home to open presents, but in the end it was worth it. He raked in a collection of penguins, both plush and figurines, along with The Peanuts Movie, a fun book from Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Gary, and a BB-8 shirt from Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Dave.

But the finale came in the form of a balance bike. He likes it, though it'll be some time before he's truly confident riding around on in.

When I had to disappoint him with the news that I did not have the skillz to make him a BB-8 cake, he settled for "brown and white muffin cakes." So I pulled out the copycat Hostess cupcake recipe I made a few years ago for Caleb's birthday and they fit the bill.

Just before bed, he "talked" with Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Gary on Facetime -- I use air quotes there because he didn't actually talk. But he did warm up enough eventually to show them some of his gifts.

I think he had a pretty great day. I can't believe he's already four, and yet at the same time also can't believe he hasn't been a part of our family for longer.