Dear JP,
Happy 5th Birthday sweet boy! I can't believe you, my baby, are a whole hand! Five years ago on Septemeber 20th I had no idea that you would be joining us the next day. I was sure that I had at least another week before you would make your appearance. But at 5am on September 21st I woke up because one of the big girls came to get me to tell me that Ruthie needed me. Ruthie, by the way, NEVER woke up at 5am so that was odd. I walked in the room and she was sitting in her crib just smiling at me. I leaned over to get her out of the crib to take her to the other room to try and rock her back to sleep and my water broke! I told Ruthie I would be right back and when I came back to get her she was fast asleep! I am convinced that she knew something was about to happen.
Ever since that day you have kept us on our toes. We learned very early on that little boys are SO different from little girls! We have loved getting to know you and we have loved getting to experience having a boy. I will say it was quite the adjustment for me. I had gotten really good at the whole girl mom thing. I had to learn to that every toy needs to make some kind of noise (even if I'm the one making the noise) and when you were little you would throw anything you picked up and the messier something is the better.
This was a big year for you. You started preschool, we went on a Disney Cruise, the world stopped when we had to quarantine because of Covid, and we moved from Columbia to Greenville. I will say you came out the winner of Covid. You loved that everyone was home and you didn't have to go anywhere. You would spend the entire day outside and you were dirt stained after a few weeks! I loved that you got to experience kind of an "old fashioned" childhood. There was nowhere to go and nothing to do. You went outside after breakfast and came in when it was dinnertime. You dug holes in the garden, rode your bike, and played on the swing set. It has been such a wonderful time for you. You have loved our new neighborhood as there are so many other kids and even some boys around your age! You went to preschool last year but that was cut short due to Covid but this year you are back in preschool and you love it so much. Everyday you come home eager to share what you learned. I was so proud of you the first day when I had to drop you off at the door and you walked right in without any hesitation. Oh, and your favorite trip of the year was a Disney Cruise we went on last fall. You had SO much fun and are still talking about it! You were such a great age for the cruise and loved seeing all the characters, the shows, and most of all the pool!
This year I feel like you have grown up SO much. We have really gotten to see your personality shine and it has been so fun! You say the funniest things and love to make people laugh. You are so well spoken and will have the funniest conversations with other kids your age. In general you are very outgoing and love other kids, especially other boys. You have discovered some other boys on our street close to your age and love to play with them. In March you learned to ride your bike and the wilder the better is your motto. Within 9mo of you getting the bike (a few of those months you were still on training wheels) we had to replace a tire because you had skidded your tires so much it had worn the tread off. You earned your bell for riding to the Marsh Tower at Kiawah with Grandaddy and you are very proud that of all the kids you accomplished that at the youngest age. We laughed at the beach because there wasn't a single bike ride we went on where people didn't stop and tell us how big you were riding your bike with no training wheels. It was like being around a celebrity! You love any kind of sport. You love stuffed animals and your current favorite is Marshmallow (aka the Pokey Little Puppy). I will often find Marshmallow wearing your underwear...apparently they are his pullups! You love to help me cook in the kitchen. You have your own unique sense of style. Your favorite outfits are ones like your daddy wears (khaki shorts and a polo) but you add your own flair. You often will throw a bowtie on with whatever you are wearing and you always have your bike helmet on! You are so YOU and it always makes me smile. You love your sisters so much. I am so glad you were there to be Ruthie's buddy the last 5 years. You have such a special bond with all of your sisters but especially Ruthie and I hope you are always as close as you are now.
One of your very favorite things is spending time with your daddy. I love how much you adore him. I hope you grow up to be the kind of husband and father that he is. If he is home you spend all your time following him around learning from him and helping him with whatever he is doing. You will give up playtime with your sisters and friends to help him cut the grass and it melts my heart.
When you were little you always stared at the world around you with absolute fear in your eyes, especially if all your sisters were around. You just weren't sure what was going on and you definitely didn't trust that it was safe. I think you might still feel that way as you wear your helmet all the time! We get such a big kick out of it. You're all about safety!
You are my last baby and my sweet snuggler. You still love to curl up next to me and read a book. You still let me pick you up and you will wrap your arms around my neck and squeeze and it melts my heart. You are quickly growing up and I treasure the times when you just want to sit and snuggle with me. I am so thankful that God sent you to us sweet JP. You have blessed our family and we love you so much!
Love,
Mom
