Happy 4th Birthday, Emery!

My little Em,

Four years old sounds very old and I’m not sure how you’re not a toddler anymore. I am very excited to tell you that a month into being three you were officially potty trained! It was such a weight off my shoulders to be honest; I really thought you might start kindergarten in diapers.

You continue to amaze us... and make us laugh! All summer, yet again, you lived in the water. Absolutely no fear. For the 4th of July, Daddy, Papa, and Bub literally threw you back and forth all afternoon. (They were all sore the next day.) We laughed so hard at you going into the water with a smile and coming up with a smile too.

This year you've really gotten into "playing pretend." You take on full characters and let me tell you, you do not break character for anything. One morning, I walked into your room and you said, “Hi! My name is Alicia.” And I kid you not, you only answered by that name for TWO FULL DAYS. At MOPs you corrected your teachers when they called you Emery, and even instead that your lunchbox wasn't yours because it said Emery and not Alicia. We definitely all got a great laugh about it! Almost every morning your first words are telling us who you are that day. (Santa, Catboy, Owlette, Gecko, Rapunzel, Elastic-girl, Amaya, and many, many more!)

One of my favorite things about you is that you never meet a stranger. You talk to everyone. (And tell them what name you're going by that specific day...) You love talking to people and telling them all about your life, your family, and your dog Ludo. We had to have a few talks about only kissing family... after you raised your hand in the middle of story time and told the librarian that you needed a hug and a kiss. (Which you then did.)

Emery style in full swing

You do not like loud noises, or if there are a lot of people and they are being loud. For the longest time you either left the room or covered your ears whenever anyone sang, "Happy Birthday" to anyone. I often say that you, "Want the attention until you get it" because you'll shut down once you realize everyone's eyes are on you.

Maybe the most impressive thing about you is your memory. You remember every little detail. If we drive by somewhere you've been just once in your life you can tell me who was there, what you were wearing, what you ate, etc, etc. It's really amazing. The tricky thing about this though is if we tell you were going to do something you don't forget, so if plans change it can lead to a melt down.

You love In & Out, Blaze The Monster Machine, Target, PJ Masks, and checking out movies from the library. You still don't nap but love "rest time" because that is your tablet time.

Pretty girl

You definitely took moving a little harder than Lincoln, and the first few days you kept asking to go back to the old house because "that room has flowers on the wall and this one doesn't."

I love watching your little mind work and how you are so helpful and inclusive of others. Sometimes even with Lincoln! ;) You've recently started dreaming and telling us about them in the mornings and that's been very fun to hear about.

Your dad and I love you so, so much and pray you will follow the Lord for your whole life.


Happy Birthday, my beautiful girl.

Love, Mama

Happy 2nd Birthday, Lincoln!

Dear Lincoln,

Happy birthday little man! Today you turn two years old and just like last year, I can’t believe how fast it went. You are such a joy, Linc. You’re always making us laugh. Our favorite lately is how you’ll just plop down next to us on the couch or walk up to us and let out your Ross Geller style, “Hi....”

One difference I noticed this year in raising both genders is that Emery always climbed things just to climb it, but you climb things to jump off! You jump off everything, whether it’s off the top of a playground or just an inch off the ground! 

You have such a sensitive heart and love to be held. “Hold you, mama!” If you get hurt no matter how big or small the injury is you usually just want a hug, almost like you just want us to acknowledge that something happened and then off you go! 

You are so much like your daddy. Super laid back and go with the flow, making us laugh with one liners, and you like things tidy! I know you’ll be such a great husband and father someday. 

If year one was the year of buckets on your head, year two is the year of socks and shoes! You are constantly putting on multiple layers of socks and anybody’s shoes you can get ahold of. You won’t keep your pajamas on so now every night and nap you sleep in the snap bottom onesies. (We had to do this for your sister, too.) 

Emery might be your favorite person ever. In the mornings and after nap she’s the first person you ask for. I love watching the two of you play together and love each other. You fight, too, of course, but it’s usually over as fast as it starts. One thing you picked up from her is you stomp your foot when you’re mad. You’ve got some fire in you, boy! I often ask you when your whiny or cranky if you need to go back to bed and you quickly respond, “no!” And then I ask if you have a happy heart and you’ll say, “hearrrrrrrt” And it’s just about the cutest thing ever. If I say, “Ow!” And you’re anywhere near me you always say, “sowwy mama!” And give me a kiss. One of my favorite things.

I really can’t believe you’re two. We love you so much, Linky Doodle. (Emery thinks this is your actual full name.) 

Your dad and I pray that you grow up to be a man of God full of integrity. 

Happy birthday, my sweet boy!

Love, Mama

PS: You’re still the most ticklish person I know!