September 2013: 36 months (3 years)

Dear Patrick,

• On 9/7, your father and I took you to the Saturday Market on Main Street.  You walked between us, holding both our hands.  At one point you said, quite innocently, “When I was a little boy…” and I laughed so hard at the choice of words that I have no idea what you were going to say next.  I know you are almost three, but you are still (and will always be) my little boy.
• At the Market that same day, we heard a voice yell, “Hey Patrick!”  It was Rivers Whitehead, who noticed you through the large crowd from his stroller.  Fast-forward ten years and Rivers just as easily could have said, “Yo, dude - great to see you...wanna shoot hoops later?”  I honestly had to pinch myself and make sure you weren’t a teenager.
• You moved up to the older class at Overbrook with new teachers this month.  You went to school on Monday 9/9 with “big boy” pull-ups and you were so excited to show everyone your underwear.  A week later, you were in real underwear all day, and its been this way ever since.  
• A “banana line” is what you call a whole banana, as opposed to cut-up into small pieces.  (You use this term for a hot dog too.)  The other day you asked for a banana line and I started to peel the banana in front of you but when I was halfway done, you burst into tears because you wanted the skin back on.  I hugged you tight and told you it was gonna be ok.  May the biggest problem you have in life be a banana line.
• This month we’ve noticed a few more tantrums than normal. Apparently with age, comes more will-power.
• We signed you up for your first organized sport this month: soccer, which meets every Tuesday through October.  Coach Cameron has all the players do real drills - its impressive.  And you are really good!  You did say that when you got tired, the ball made a good seat.
• After watching Cinderella, you told me that we should get married.  A few days later, you put a strand of beads around my neck and said that I “could wear these at our wedding.”  My heart is melting.
• Saturday 9/14 was the FIRST time that you ever climbed out of your crib on your own.  I just don’t think you ever had the desire to ever try till now.  That morning you were just standing in the middle of the room when we opened the door.
• A fireman, who you met outside of Publix with your father on 9/15, gave you a plastic fireman’s hat, and you came running into the house - very proud - to show me.  You told me I could wear your hat, but when I put it on my head, it was a little snug.  So, you assured me that “when I get little,” it will fit.  In this same vein, you told your dad, “you’re not a little boy yet - you’re just a daddy” to explain why he couldn’t go down the slide at the park.  I love that. Benjamin Button style.  
• You “do voices” now when you play.  A mouse will have a high voice or a car may have a deep voice and you can stay in character a long time.  
• Your father and Pop went to Spain this month and Omi came to stay with us in Greenville for five days which was so much fun!  Your father’s Spain trip came right on the heels of a big job change for him, which made for an exciting month.  
• Aunt Jen and cousin Jack came to visit for an hour on Saturday 9/21 before driving home to Bham. I got a few photos of you two together (despite protests), but you & Jack will thank your moms for our efforts when you are older.
• You’ve done really well with potty training - skittles in a clear, plastic tub in the bathroom are key. You did, however, have one “accident” when you decided to pee in the hallway - not five feet from your actual potty, and I thought to myself, “why?”  Its sort of like when your father throws his dirty clothes next to the hamper.  Really..? Just so close.
• On Friday 9/27, your father and I brought cake-pops (great idea from your dad by the way!) to share with your class at school and sing you an early happy birthday!  You felt really special and said as you pointed to yourself, “Its my birthday.”
• You received a singing hamster card from Katie and Sonny that you now carry with you everywhere.  “Dee da dee da dee da dee doooh” has become a bit of your theme song.  
• One Sunday before bedtime, you watched “Curious George” (as you do most nights), but this particular evening you sat on the living room couch squished between your father and me -- all three of us piled together in what was essentially one large group hug.  No one talked; we just sat focused on the thirty minute episode with arms and legs happily tangled.  And I was reminded, in that simple moment, what a lucky family we are to have each other, to really enjoy each other as individuals, and to appreciate one another in ways that I know are special. Your world is a good one, Patrick.  And our lives are so amazing because of you.  Thank you.

 Happy THIRD birthday, my love.

August 2013: 35 months (2 years and 11 months)

Dear Patrick,

• Driving home from school on 8/6 you told me, “I’m just yawning, Mom.  I’m not tired....I’m just yawning.”  I love that there is clear distinction between yawning and tired in your mind.
• I like when you talk to yourself in the back-seat of the car.  Its always so quiet and lovely...  Sometimes I recognize a song and other times I'll hear you repeat a phrase from one of our books over and over.  I try hard not to interrupt (unless you involve me specifically).  I think its just beautiful that you keep yourself so happy.    
• Your father took the trash to the street one Tuesday morning and you watched him open and close the front door as you ate mini-wheats in the dining room.  A moment later, I came to give you a kiss good-bye on my way to work, and you said with a confused look on your face, “But you both can’t go.” How did you you put all of that together, knowing someone had to take you to school?!
• You can climb up on our high bed all by yourself now, you little monkey.  And you make your own “nests” in the pillows without any help from us.
• One morning you told us your head hurt and that “the spider in [your] head was pounding bam, bam, bam,” with your little hand slapping your knee multiple times.  We told you that was called a headache.  And I'll never think of headaches quite the same again.
• I bet you’ve watched “Finding Nemo” a hundred times now.  I wish I had counted.  And every time there are parts that still scare and surprise you...like when Nemo is taken by the diver, the ugly deep sea creature, the mean sharks, or the sight of the whale.  You still watch those cautiously -- sometimes walking out of the room not fully committing, but not able to turn away either.  
• We put your dinner in front of you the other night and you said immediately, “I can’t eat until you say the blessing, Mom.” 
• We played with a rollie-pollie in the driveway for so long on Saturday 8/10 that I worried the poor bug walked more than his lifetime would allow.  I forgot how rollie-pollies just keep moving over never-ending fingers, sticks and leaves. We eventually released him.  And then you pretended to be my rollie-pollie as I carried you around in a little ball.
• While you may be afraid of some things, bugs generally are not one of them. You will pick up any bug, any time, any place.
• You think downtown Greenville is New York City and that Sonny lives in one of those “tall buildings.”  I don’t correct you because I wish Aunt Katie and Uncle Sonny were that close too.
• I took you to watch “Planes” at the Cherrydale movie theater on Sunday 8/11 with Kristin Whitehead and Rivers.  I was definitely more excited than any of the rest of you. I held up the line as I fumbled with my purse, tickets, wallet, camera phone outstretched, explaining to the impatient crowd, "Its my son’s first time at the movies today...could you move over while I document the moment.” It is worth noting that your favorite part of the experience was not the big screen, sound quality, tickets, popcorn or the icees (which you called milkshakes), but rather you seemed to most like the folding seat that “ate your shoes” when you sat on your knees and slipped backwards in between the cushions. 
• Why is every stick or paper towel tube a gun this month?  Who even told you about guns?!  It’s disturbing.
• You use the phrase, “I’m just gonna…” as your key bargaining chip with us.  With you lately, its all about "just a little something:" just a taste, or you are just sitting here...  I'm not sure how to explain it really, but its just the cutest qualifier ever.
• We met “Mr. Rock” this month after receiving a frantic phone call from the school about you putting a playground pebble so far up your nose that it was no longer visible.  It made for an interesting Thursday.  And after multiple discussions with teachers, grandparents, pediatrician and a visit to the only doctor open at 5:30pm (even an X-ray), we determined that Mr. Rock may have been imaginary (or he fell out on his own).
• I love how you say, "excuse me" when you want our attention.  The teachers say you are the most polite child they've had in a long time.  I believe it.  The other day you thanked me for feeding you dinner and picking you up from school -- all of which shouldn't require gratitude -- its the job of a mom -- but it's still so sweet to hear!  

Love you so, so, so much!
Mom 

More photos this month: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201463611729554.1073741834.1153490639&type=1&l=2478333e73

July 2013: 34 months (2 years and 10 months)

Dear Patrick,

• You call the crust on bread, the “skins.”  And you like your peanut butter sandwiches with the skins cut off.
• You are officially a German!  Omi, Bunky, your father and I went to the German Embassy in Atlanta to apply on 7/5, and your official passport arrived 7/19 via FedEx.
• We took you to Tory and Michael Wald’s wedding this month in Atlanta - or rather, I should say that we took you to the Marriott hotel in Alpharetta, where you played with the babysitter and cousin Jack.
• We have somehow lost Elephant this month. Your father swears he is in the house somewhere, but when you ask where he is exactly, we say that he is playing with his elephant friends, which seems to make sense to you.  So, Elephant is having a big ‘ol party time this summer!
• You love “Finding Nemo,” the Disney movie, and this month we spend a lot of time talking about sharks and fish and drains.
• I filmed you with my iphone one afternoon after school as we talked about bugs.  This is my new favorite video.  You are such a smart, creative boy!
• Omi & Pop came to stay with you while your father and I went to Atlanta to see the Black Crows and Tedeschi Trucks Band play Saturday 7/20.
• We had to bring you to the doctor on Monday 7/22 because you were not breathing very well, but after a treatment, you were much better.  Given the summer cold season we may just need to use your inhaler a bit more often.
• Rivers came over to our house to play after school on 7/23 and you two had full conversations together - back and forth - like little adults.  You both love the firetrucks, tent and taking turns on the motorcycle.  When you are at the park together, Rivers doesn't want to go anywhere without you.  You are pretty cool.
• When I went into your room the morning of 7/25, the first thing you said to me was, “Let’s get a little bit of ice cream” and you held your thumb and pointer finger out with space in between to indicate how much.
• I went to Washington DC this month to visit your Uncle Michael and your dad let you spend Friday and Saturday with your grandparents.  I saw photos of you swimming (at “Mr. O Matt’s pool”) and eating bacon with Biggie.  A fun weekend for everyone.  But one of my favorite moments was stepping outside the airplane terminal and hearing you shout across, "Mama!"
• At the pool, your father said you shook the hands of complete strangers were apparently not shy about saying “excuse me” when you wanted their help to push you on a raft.  
• We talk in what I call, “conversations circles."  Here is an example:

                Patrick: “I want some more milk!!” (showing me your FULL cup of milk.)

                Me: “Patrick, you have plenty of milk.”

                Patrick: “But I need some more!!”

                Me: “Ok, drink the milk in your cup and then you may have some more.”

                Patrick, looking at your cup with a confused look: “I don’t need anymore milk, Mom!!” 
                (Like it was my idea to give you more milk in the first place.  Really, what do you say 
                after that?)

Love you so much,
Mom 

More photos this month: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201290350278126.1073741833.1153490639&type=1&l=aeb7b2ab6e

June 2013: 33 months (2 years and 9 months)

Dear Patrick,

• You noticed a band-aid on your father’s finger and offered to kiss his boo-boo by explaining, “I have a lot of kisses in my mouth.”  
• A fruitie is a snack. What kind of snack? Just a snack.
• On Monday 6/3 we noticed you saying, "ok" after most of the statements you made.  It was funny and perhaps a little too familiar.  "I'm gonna play with my toys now, ok, Mom."  You aren’t asking - you are telling, which is obviously the tone we take when we talk with you: “Let’s get in the car and go to school now, Patrick, ok.”  But it sounds so much more condescending from a little guy.  I guess this is payback, ok?
• You asked to “go potty” in two public places this month: the pool at the Lofts and Pete’s (which you call “Pizza”).  Progress!
• When we read the book Roadwork you ask for the names of the illustrated road workers pictured.  It wasn’t until the evening of 6/9 that your father and I realized we make up different names for the same characters.  You said to your Dad, “No!  That’s not Larry Spaghetti - that’s Jeff!”  
• The McConkey’s came to visit for your father’s 35th birthday weekend and you and Eloise had a lot of fun together.  She wasn’t really talking yet, but that didn’t stop you from having full conversations with her.
• You are a very polite little boy.  You say “please” and “thank you,” and we are now working on the idea of saying, “excuse me” when you want our attention versus yelling over and over, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!”
• I carried you on my hip one morning into school and as we walked through the door, you said, “You are so pretty, mommy,” which melted my heart.  I hugged you very tight and I almost didn’t put you down.
• On Thursday 6/13 you apparently got into an argument with another little boy over a truck at school and the little boy pulled your hair.  He actually pulled it OUT, resulting in a sizable bald spot on the back top of your head.  So now we share our home with the world’s shortest monk, Friar Patrick.
• When we are driving in the car you often say, “I’m gonna turn my engine on” as if you are actually driving too.  And when the car stops, you say, “I’m gonna turn my engine off.”
• Two year olds (and 9 months) are bossy!  You now make up “rules” and tell your father and me that we, for example, cannot cross an imaginary line that you draw on the couch cushion.  The reasoning behind most of your rules is that “its dangerous.”  I especially like the authority with which you deliver these rules; so final; so absolute; no room for questions.  Although with this particular exchange, I was thinking, “So the couch is dangerous?!”
• I’ve had to remind you more than once that we do not scream in the car to hear an echo.
• You and Rivers had a blast at the Handlebar good-bye happy hour we had for Michael this month.  You called it the “Monkey Party” (vs the Bunky Party).  And you two were like little wild monkeys that evening.  I'm sure there are still balloons in their rafters that haven't yet floated down.
• Omi & Pop (and Winnie) came to visit, and Pop taught you how to play soccer.  It was some new inside version of the game in which you always win and you are always the star player.  
• The new “Puddle Jumper” is a game changer. 

Love Mom

More photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201113615459866.1073741832.1153490639&type=1&l=81df1b78c0

May 2013: 32 months (2 years and 8 months old)

Dear Patrick

• One afternoon you were quietly playing in your room - too quietly.  Then you walked around the corner with diaper cream spread like clown makeup all over your mouth and hands.  And that stuff doesn’t come off with soap and water - I tried. “Patrick, did you eat diaper cream?”  No, you said innocently through big, white clown lips.

• Your father bought you a tee-ball & bat set, which you prefer to use as a sword.

• You stayed at work with me one night late (since my office was working to get our book to the printer and your father was out of town) and you were such an angel.  You had no dinner, no TV, no snacks or distractions but despite everything -- you were so pleasant.  You drew on paper on the floor and talked to the creatives and Robbin.  I was so proud of you.  People said independently, “He is pretty chill.” and “He is a happy little boy.”  Yes, you are.  I take it for granted, but it was nice to see you through others’ eyes.

• If you are eating something and we ask you what it tastes like, you say without a pause, “strawberries.” Everything you eat tastes like strawberries.

• Your father celebrated Cinco de Mayo in New York with your uncles and great-cousins at the beginning of the month so you and I had some good mom/son time together for five days. Then, mid-month I developed a kidney infection and left you and your father to fend for yourselves for a week... probably more quality time than you both needed.

• Your Uncle Michael gave you a singing toothbrush that plays music in your mouth.  You would brush your teeth every hour of every day, if we let you.

• You destroyed your father's brand new record player cartridge needle. When he asked you very kindly whether you had been playing with Daddy's record player, you said, "Yep!" No shame.

• Occasionally we give you m&ms for using the potty.  The other day when you were at Gangie’s house, she only had peanut m&ms, which you had never tasted before.  Apparently she gave you one and you said, “Yum!  That was good.  I better do that again.” And went running back to the bathroom.

• This month your father traded in his old car for a better model.  This has no real bearing on your specific monthly milestones, except to perhaps foreshadow years from now the car you may beg him to one day let you drive.

• Omi and Pop came to Greenville for Mother’s Day and Pop’s 72nd birthday, and even though we were celebrating them, they gave you a cool new ikea chair, a rug with a road on it and an awesome circus tent!  

• We went to the SC Bar Event in the Greenville Zoo Tuesday 5/21 and you loved running through the park with your friends.  Rivers went down the slide at the zoo playground backwards and it made you laugh so hard.  Rivers did that just because you thought it was funny.  It is amazing to watch you interact.  Oh, and Daryl roared like a lion at one point, which scared you to real tears but you recovered quickly when you learned it wasn’t a real lion.  

• Bubbles are pure joy.  You are my pure joy.

Love always,
Mom 

more photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200995239940552.1073741831.1153490639&type=1&l=5e7a1888b8

April 2013: 31 months (2 years and 7 months old)

Dear Patrick, 

• One morning as I was unloading the dishwasher you asked what I was doing so I told you that I was putting clean dishes away in the cabinets.  There was a pause and then you said, “I LOVE clean dishes.”  I don't know another little boy more positive than you! 

• You give people nicknames, which is fascinating to me.  On occasion, you’ll call Omi “Om” and Gangie “Gang” - its really cute:  “Come on, Om.”  Or “Watch me, Gang.”

• I put you to bed the evening of 4/10 and I could hear you singing to yourself over the monitor. After a moment you stopped abruptly and said, “Good song, Patrick” to congratulate yourself.  I’ve told this story a hundred times this week because it makes me happy knowing you are proud of yourself. 

• The qualifiers you use lately are funny.  You said the weekend we went to Macon to visit with the Schivens: "There's Pop! He's my favorite guy I ever see. "  And you also said to your father, “Dad! You're my favorite dad I ever have."

• You’ve woken up a few times in the middle of the night this month with scary dreams.  But we reassure you and put you back in your crib each time.  At the end of the month we heard you say at 2:00am, "Owl, I can't find you anywhere," as if you were scolding your friend for hiding in the middle of the night.

• Allergies are bad this month for all of us - especially you.  Pollen is everywhere.  On 4/11 you were having trouble breathing and we actually had you use your inhaler, which seemed to help.  We had a check-up with your doctor who then gave you a steroid dose for five days.  Then on 4/19 your school called me at my office to explain that you were running a low grade fever, which you kept through the weekend.  You were extra cuddly and I took full advantage of hugging and kissing all over you.

• That following Monday, your tonsils were so big we actually brought you to the doctor and learned that its perfectly normal for tonsils to bleed.  (Who knew?!)  Unsettling but you are fine.  However, I am predicting now that those golf balls in your throat will eventually be removed.  

• One evening over dinner I told you that “Mater” from the “Cars Movie” likes to eat lima beans and you said, “Me too - I love lima beans!”  And then later you called for seconds on lima beans.  Wow - what else can be Mater’s favorite foods?  I’m definitely onto something here.

• You are starting to eat better (aka more) at each meal now.  Typically you have ham or turkey for dinner with a veggie and fruit.  And for lunch at school I’ve been making peanut butter sandwiches cut into tiny triangles; no crusts.

• You said after school on Monday 4/29, “I love my Daddy.  He is so warm and soft.”  Is that funny to anyone else?  I think that's a perfect way to be characterized by your son.

• When you play on the playground at school with your friends, your little cheeks get as red as a tomato and your hair lies flat to your head as if its been slicked down with gel.

• Your face is rounding out and you’ve put on a little more weight this month.  You weighed 30 lbs at your last check-up.

• Now when we say, “I love you, Patrick” you quite regularly say in return, “I love you too.” And you really seem to mean it.  This subtle shift is noteworthy because in the past those words did not prompt any verbal reciprocation.  I always took your silence to mean, “well, of course you do!,” which is true, but its nice to hear just the same, my lovely boy.

Mom

More photos:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200768103382280.1073741829.1153490639&type=1&l=f505ed6d5f

March 2013: 30 months (two and a half years old)

 

Dear Patrick,

• You handled your first day of full-time daycare on Monday March 4th with such ease.  You were excited to see your friend Rivers at school and called the new building “cool.”   Later the director emailed me to say that fifteen minutes after nap started, you feel asleep with the other kids and stayed that way for two full hours.  You ate well, played hard and had a great time!  Why was I even worried.
• The family started this month with three full days of the "pukie-poos" and it was quite an ordeal.  We warned friends, “don’t even drive by this house.”
• You are fickle.  “Yes, I want crunchies.  No, I do not want crunchies.  Yes I do.”  You can change your mind in an instant - its like living with vacillating, moody, erratic, unpredictable, crazy chameleon.  And then you get angry that we can’t follow your train of thought.  Your dad has actually had to say to me, “Just don’t talk to him for a moment.”
• I love when you clarify a statement by saying, “for sure.”  The other day you told me, “We can make chocolate milk.  For sure.”
• You love: lollipops, squishy play-dough, bird seed, bracelets, trampolines, golf clubs as hockey sticks, the snort in Home Depot, dirt, Monkey Joes, the Cars Movie, the wall at school that has the toys which you have to play with “just for a min” almost everyday before we leave.
• You laugh really hard at the Winnie the Pooh movie - especially when Tigger bounces or Pooh’s tummy grumbles.  We found the movie “on demand” so now you watch it most mornings before school while you drink your chocolate milk (with the egg your father hides inside!)
• Twice this month you woke in the middle of the night and needed some extra hugs and love (and you asked for cheese balls but we didn’t oblige). You may have been hungry or you may have had a bad dream.  Your dad rocked you back to sleep and put you in your crib both times. You have such a great dad.
• I recognize that this may be too much information, but you pooped on the potty this month all by yourself and got an M&M.  (Your father and Uncle Michael should also be given a bag of M&Ms for their encouragement and clean-up!) When I congratulated you, you smiled shyly and said, “you are so proud of me.”  More than you’ll ever know.
• Things this month that cause you to cry - and I mean cry with actual stress & real tears: Cooper the dog sniffed you.  Your cup won’t balance on the sofa.  Your veggie straw broke into two (and you wanted only one)!  Your sock hurt.  Your hands are asleep.  You do not want to take a bath.  You do not want to get out of the bath.  Gravity.
• Patrick, I’d like to take a moment to tell you that at two and a half years old you are already such a secure, confident person.  That doesn’t mean you aren’t shy or unsure at times, but you just seem to be simply “solid,” as your Pop would say.  I wanted to make this observation because I think sometimes people underestimate the strengths that come easy to them.  You are innately kind and happy, and you should know its been a part of your core from day one. 

I love you very much,
Mom 

more photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200667244460870.1073741827.1153490639&type=1&l=e612172b08