Happy {Almost} 3rd Birthday, Cullen

On Sunday, my sweet baby Cullen turns 3. I'm not sure how it all went by so fast.

It seems like just yesterday that he was in my arms for the first time.

And then, before I knew it, we were high-fiving in Winston-Salem, NC for his 1st birthday.

 With another blink, we were spending our last few weeks in NC and celebrating C turning two.

And now, here we are. Three.

When we enrolled C in preschool this past January, I had to choose 3 adjectives to describe him. As a lover of literature, and a person who strives on choosing the right words at the right moments, I thought long and hard about my answer.

Cullen is:

Cautious

Kind

Curious

Despite what people tell you about the 'terrible twos', I can't tell you enough how much I adored the age of two. I am sad to see it go. It was a year of watching Cullen grasp language, followed by understanding imagination, and then the overwhelming sense of needing-to-know which has pushed him to ask me question after question.

 I got to watch him learn how to manage a playground on his own (he never tired to climb without knowing he could: cautious) and embrace the role of big brother, as he has been nothing but sweet, protective and caring to Bennett (kind). And ask me 'What's your favorite color? What does a snail eat? How was your day, Mommy? Why is the ocean gray instead of blue today? Where does the fog come from? What does Daddy do? Do you like my Seagull friends, Pecka, Pucka and Peeta? Was Bennett and Cullen in your belly, Mommy? How does the egg cook? Do you sleep with a blankie?'...And on and on and on (curious).

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy. You made my life mean so much more than I ever knew it could. Thank you for talking to me in the car, and pointing out whenever we see my favorite color, blue. Thank you for being excited to see your Daddy at the end of each day and for helping Bubba say his prayers each night. Thank you for asking me questions that I don't know the answer to, and for wanting me to kiss goodnight to your Teddy, Ocean the Doggie, Blue Blankie and Taggie in order.

I look forward to all that 3 has to offer. I don't want you to get older, and yet I love each new moment that we share together. Happy {almost} 3rd Birthday, Cullen. You are awesome, and I am so proud to be your Mommy.