Oh, Braden.
On your birthday in 2008, you asked me to let you sit in a “big” chair for the first time.
You didn’t want your highchair any more. I was torn: pride, awe, amusement, and sweet sadness tumbled and mixed inside of me as I watched you try to be as big as the chair you were sitting in.
You never sat in your high chair again. But that is the least of it.
Steadily for the rest of the year, as children are wont to do, you just kept getting bigger and bolder. You got cuter, wilder, and funnier.
More difficult.
Infinitely more wonderful.
You just keep developing at a break-neck speed and you always seem to be at least two steps ahead of me.
My boy is charging through life.
I’m helpless to stop it.
Which is cool, because it’s awesome to watch.
Every day, you learn new things.
And because of you, so do I.
Thank you. I love you.
Happy “Fwee Yee Olt!” Birthday, Braden.
As you said this morning, “It’s party time!”
#1 by Griner on October 16, 2009 - 4:45 PM
“Infinitely more wonderful” is a pretty perfect way to describe it. I always say my daughter “keeps getting awesomer.” May we both look back fondly on these days when our kids are being obnoxiously rebellious and trying out strange things like public service and Key Club.
#2 by Miss on October 16, 2009 - 5:19 PM
SIGH. Three. I loved three.
I’ve so cherished watching him grow as a little boy and you as a mother.
Happy birfday Braden. You’re one kick ass kid.
Miss´s last blog ..The One About the Mommy Wars
#3 by Allie on October 16, 2009 - 6:15 PM
Happy Birthday B. It has been a pleasure watching you grow Big Man. Rock on!
Happy Birthday to you too, Lotus.
#4 by Kelley on October 16, 2009 - 6:25 PM
Happy Birthday Dude.
October is an AWESOME month for having a birthday!
#5 by Tara R. on October 16, 2009 - 7:16 PM
Happy Birthday to you little man! October is a kicking month of birthdays!
Tara R.´s last blog ..Not a frou-frou girl
#6 by talina on October 16, 2009 - 8:11 PM
Oh wow, three already? Time flies as parents. Blows my freaking mind.
talina´s last blog ..When it is quiet all I hear is crying… but we are happy.
#7 by Mz Nesbit on October 16, 2009 - 11:53 PM
Happy Birthday big guy. Time sure does fly by doesn’t it?
Mz Nesbit´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – the "WWJD?" Edition
#8 by lceel on October 17, 2009 - 12:21 AM
Happy Birthday, Braden. It’s been fun watching you for the last two years – which is all of your life that I’ve shared in. I hope you are always as much a source of joy to your Mom as you have been.
lceel´s last blog ..I’m Farming
#9 by Jientje on October 17, 2009 - 2:17 AM
It’s lovely to watch you grow, even though your Mom would prefer to slow it down a little. You’re a big boy now. Happy Birthday Braden!
Happy Mommy day, Lotus!
Jientje´s last blog ..Weekend Reflections, In the Soup (Pot) …
#10 by Jamie on October 17, 2009 - 7:46 AM
Happy 3rd birthday Braden!!! Three will be filled with lots of cool adventures.
Now GO PARTY!
#11 by Greer on October 17, 2009 - 8:13 AM
Tears in my eyes… happy b-day, Big Boy!
#12 by Melissa on October 17, 2009 - 8:45 AM
Happy 3rd Birthday to Braden!
Melissa´s last blog ..the ABC’s of the next three weeks
#13 by bejewell on October 17, 2009 - 9:01 AM
SO great! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIDDO!
bejewell´s last blog ..I Want To Know
#14 by Suzanne on October 17, 2009 - 10:26 AM
He keeps getting cuter as he gets older. I don’t know how that’s possible, since he started out positively adorable!
Happy birthday, Braden!
Suzanne´s last blog ..Things That Make Me Happy
#15 by connie on October 17, 2009 - 1:55 PM
I’m a day late but Happy 3rd B-day to Braden! He’s absolutely adorable & is growing way too fast! Happy BIRTH day to you too Mom
connie´s last blog ..Playing catch up~Our anniversary on 1/31/09
#16 by Veronica on October 17, 2009 - 10:16 PM
Happy Birthday! I hope your day was filled with cake and sunshine.
Veronica´s last blog ..Moonlight.
#17 by Mrs4444 on October 18, 2009 - 12:18 AM
What a blessing, that boy of yours. I love three.
Mrs4444´s last blog ..Sundays in My City/Weekly Winners
#18 by Claire in CA, USA on October 18, 2009 - 12:22 AM
Happy Birthday, Braden, and Lotus!
After all, you did all the hard work that day, three years ago, right?!
He is so beautiful.
#19 by Ree on October 18, 2009 - 4:29 PM
Oh, yes – Happy Birthday Braden.
Lucky Lotus – you get a 3 year old, I got an 18 year old. Same day….
Ree´s last blog ..Grace in Small Things: 44/365
#20 by Kim on October 18, 2009 - 7:00 PM
I cannot believe he is three already!!! WOW.. Happy Belated Birthday to your three year old!!
Kim´s last blog ..Portraits of Sweet Girl L- Long Island Child Portraits
#21 by Secret Agent Mama on October 18, 2009 - 10:09 PM
I absolutely love this post, Loter. And you and your boy, too. You are my sister and that makes him my nephew!
Secret Agent Mama´s last blog ..Weekly Winners {Beautiful Things Edition}
#22 by Athena on October 19, 2009 - 2:12 AM
How quickly that time flies! I look at my two little guys sometimes and wish it would slow down, but so far I haven’t found a way to control time. I’ll keep you posted.
I hope you had a fantabulous day Braden. Did you get our card? We love you and miss you muchly!
Auntie Athena, Uncle Mike, Matthew and Nathan
Athena´s last blog ..Great News!
#23 by Rebecca on October 19, 2009 - 7:37 AM
Happy Birthday Braden!
#24 by kompostela on October 20, 2009 - 8:24 AM
Happy Birthday! He is fantastic boy! And I’m sure not the last one in your family:) Don’t stop moving as your Braden teaches you:)
kompostela´s last blog ..Autumn Activities for Toddlers
#25 by Amo on October 20, 2009 - 9:34 AM
What an awesome tribute. You have an amazing way of capturing the moment for us.
LOVE YOU!
Amo´s last blog ..It’s been a year.
#26 by Rachael on October 27, 2009 - 12:34 AM
Happy Bday to your totalllly adorable little guy!
#27 by Sweets aka Chels on October 27, 2009 - 9:29 AM
Lotus I can’t believe how big Braden has gotten and that he 3 now. Those pic are fabulous and ya can see his little personality coming through. I can honestly say he reminds me of both of his aweome parents. Enjoy these day before ya know it they are almost 10 play competitive soccer. Miss talk to that husband of yours hear all the stories and watching his face light up when I ask about that beatiful wife of his and his sweet little boy.