Happy Birthday, Boy Boy!

David,

You are 4 years old today!  What a celebration!  I still remember the complete exuberance when we found out we were pregnant with you...after years of praying for you!  And the joy of holding you, our firstborn son, right after you were born.  We have had some seasons of challenges since then, but even throughout these times, I treasure my special bond with you, my precious boy boy (aka "big boy"--one of the last remnants of babyhood). 

This year has brought about so many changes.  The last vestiges of babyhood are slipping away (although you do still cling to your thumb and your blankie).  It has been a season of change as you adjusted to having not only one but now two little sisters.  You still occasionally pick at Elizabeth, but you are learning to take on the role of big brother/protector.  You readily help Elizabeth in "the direction she should go" (sometimes to the car, sometimes with her cup, sometimes just encouraging her to eat her dinner).  You are also quick to help Abigail when she needs help.

You certainly have started putting some of life's pieces together.  Perhaps all the "why" questions have helped after all?  You now know most of your colors, a few shapes, can mentally count items to three (although the numerical counting aloud is a bit off still), are interested in the alphabet, know your name starts with D (and can recognize that letter), and just generally understand far more commands and explanations. 

Your favorite toys are so varied now.  You are fascinated with all weapons (such a boy!) and while you still play with your golf clubs occasionally, they often get taken apart to become swords.  You love all guns too!  Items that often slip into your pockets and get taken to church on the sly?  Water guns, bouncy balls, matchbox cars.  You do still play with your trains, but are more partial to your cars most of the time.  I often find you upstairs reading at the end of naptime.  You love me to read to you and your attention span is SOOOO much longer now!  We read together almost every naptime and bedtime and you will "read to yourself" in the in between. You also love playing video games (on the iphone) with Daddy. 

You love to dress yourself now (often picking the worst outfits, but...)  You wear almost all 5T shirts and have even caught up to your size in many pants and can wear 4T now.  You are still wearing the same shoes though that you have been wearing for months: size 10.  (you can put on your own tennies now, at long last!)

Pretty much potty trained (with very rare accidents) during the day but still not at night (or the occasional very long nap).  That will be this year's accomplishment.

The picky eater is gone and in his place is a little boy willing to try almost anything.  You still are not a huge fan of some things but just like a favorite book (Green Eggs and Ham), you have learned that you have to be willing to try something before declaring you don't like it.  Peanut butter and jelly is still probably the all-time favorite.

I so love your cheerfulness and love of life!  You are full of happiness and enthusiasm, warmth and welcome to others.  I admire your tender heart--often prompting you to think of others, even before yourself at times.  May you keep that sweet, tender heart especially before the Lord.  May your childlike prayers grow into full-fledged dependence on the Lord.  Even as you have prayed many times, may you learn to obey completely; obedience that is prompted by a wholehearted devotion to the Lord.  Better put, as stated in a favorite song: Trust and Obey. 

What joy fills my heart when I think of you. 

Philippians 1:3,6 "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you...Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

All our love,
Mommy and Daddy