The day we found out you were a boy was an exception. Daddy and I came home from our sonogram appointment, with the sono pic sealed in an envelope. We hadn't yet found out your gender! I remember wanting to RIP the envelope open to find out if you were a boy! But instead, I gave the sealed envelope to our favorite Lissy next door and she opened it before WE did! Lissy was so excited. I bet she wanted to tell me right away. Instead, she bought a box and filled it with little boy things. Your first pair of shoes, a little newborn outfit, and your sono pic on top that said, IT'S A BOY! We had a party at our house, and we opened the box all together in the presence of all our family. I think finding out that you were a boy has been my most fav surprise so far.
Grayson Braddock Farr, I cannot believe you're not a baby anymore. (Though I'm glad you know that you'll ALWAYS be my baby.)
You're just a cool dude. There are so many things we're discovering about you that are so rad. For one, I'm pretty sure you're ambidextrous. For the past three years, I've been trying to figure out if you're a righty or a lefty. The truth is, you use both of your hands equally! My Uncle Ken is ambidextrous. And I'm left-handed, but use my right hand well. Maybe you get it from my side.
You are the silliest person in our family. You LOVE to make silly faces to get a reaction out of people.
...and you love to laugh.
Sometimes, you laugh so hard that you can't catch your breath. And once you do, you'll say, "Make me laugh like that AGAIN!". And baby, you have the most masculine, raspy little-man laugh ever! Gushhh it's the sweetest. Makes this mommy melt. The sound of your laughter is one of my favorite things to listen to. xo
Something that I've noticed this past year is how you've grown in showing affection. You are more willing to give hugs and kisses to people that you love, but it has to be on YOUR terms. Before bed every night, you want to give all three of us hugs and kisses. But YOU want to initiate the hug and kiss.
I kinda love this about you. You're my little man who has to be in charge.
You look up to your sister. Because whether you'll ever admit it or not, you think that whatever Sky is doing is really cool.
The last time we were in the back yard playing in the snow, you looked around and asked, "HEY, can we take dis snow away and grill some food? Wet's get our the spwinkler and stuff." --> YOU LOVE being warm. And YOU LOVE being wet. But not cold.
You enjoy building forts and climbing into things or behind things to hide away. If we can't find you anywhere, we listen out for your sweet giggles. It cracks everyone up when we find you tucked away somewhere unexpected!!
And you LOVE your blankie. You'll find the tag of your blankie and rub it to go to sleep or to zone out and relax on the couch. You've done this since you were a baby as a way to soothe yourself. If you had it your way, blankie would go wherever you go. xo
You're growing increasingly compassionate towards all living things. With the exception of spiders which make your sister scream. Then, you nonchalantly get a tissue, grab the spider, and flush it down the toilet like it's no big thing.
Your most favoritest person in the whole wide world is this man.
He is the best daddy ever. (Now I'm crying.) It melts my heart to see you with your father. Buddy, I hope so much you always love your daddy like this. Because he loves you with every ounce in his body. There's nothing this man wouldn't do for us. I want you to be mindful of the kind of man your daddy is, and take note of the extreme amount of patience and love he has for you. When you yell at daddy because you're angry, I want you to watch your daddy's response to you, in how he firmly corrects you but with the most tender amount of love. Bud, your daddy reflects Jesus. Be like daddy.
Your OTHER superhero in all the world is your grandpa. Grandpa loves you so much and has always wanted a grandson like you. He also reflects Christ's love. He's adopted us into his family and loves us like his own. That you know a grandpa's love in such a deep way is such a gift from God. Look at the way grandpa lives his life. Listen carefully to Grandpa when he tells you about The Lord. Be like Grandpa.
I love you, Puppy! So grateful you're apart of our family. You make life so wonderful for all of us. And crazy. And hilarious. And chaotic. But mostly just so wonderful.
XO
Mommy
