THREE YEARS OLD

Thaniel Charles Edward Rent (who your father wouldn't let me re-work my all time favorite boy name, Nathaniel,  into a name beginning with the letter "T" as it were, T'nathan) turned 3 years old back in August!! I can't believe it!! My baby isn't a baby anymore :(

I think he had a lovely time though.  He had a gathering on his birthday while we were in Indianapolis; visiting his grandparents, and treating ourselves to a sort of one day hotel vacation.  This was a second, and somewhat impromptu party- and most our family couldn't be there.  But our great faithful friends, The Dixon's, showed up like they always do- and warmed our hearts.  

All I wanted to do was create a moment when we could present Than with a candle topped cake and a birthday song.  His two favorite things about birthdays.  Blowing out candles is his most favorite.

At 3 years old-- I don't think the little ones notice any of the things that we mommies notice, nor do they have any idea that we have cringe moments because we wished something or another had gone differently.  So once I force my perspective to come from his angle, I can see that he feels loved, and that he had an absolute fine time... 

And now--- I'm just fine with that!  He is truly a lovely boy

Find A Way To Play Together

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood is a rewrite cartoon that was created by PBS to pay forward Mr. Roger's legacy to this generation.  And Thaniel- you absolutely LOVE the show... This morning the show is about learning to play together with friends.  You and I sit on the couch and watch it together.  I pulled out my laptop to do some other stuff, but at some point you snuggle in very close to my side, and wrap your arm in mine- ohhh! these are the moments that make me want to pause the hand of time- the moments that steal my heart, that sometimes sadden me because I know that one day they will be no more.  But for now I write about it, and saver every second... basking in the warm feeling of your ever so soft- baby soft skin next to mine.  I love you Thaniel, for ever. For always...

(By the way- its so easy to take pictures of you... You thoroughly enjoy taking pictures and your favorite part is "me see!" which means you want to view the picture right away after its been taken.  Ah the convience of digital and phone cameras- lol) 

"HO HO HO MERR CHIRSS!"

Thaniel,

I want to look back to this time last month- December and our family was getting ready to celebrate Christmas.  You love the Christmas tree and everytime we come home from running errands you run inside and scream "Trisda-tree!!" Last Christmas, I had to wrap the artificial tree branch's flex wire around and around each ornament in an effort to baby proof the tree decor, because you were absolutely fascinated with taking off the balls. But this year- you understand conversation so well, Daddy and I can literally talk with you and provide you with a reminder "look at the pretty lights and ornaments, but don't pull" and you do it! I think this gentle parenting and rearing prooves the wise old tale that children crave instruction and structure, because you are throroughly LOVING the Christmas tree! You love staring at it! And our tree stand has a rotator capability built in. So our tree can turn in a circle if we turn that function on.  You love this! The ornaments you like to look at, all the colors- the santas- and your most favorite; the glass red car- you just stand very close to the tree waiting for them to circle back around. "There it is!" you yelp... "Where go?... There it is!" And you absolutely love it!

Daddy and I went back and forth and back again on whether to take you kids to visit Santa Claus at the mall, but did not go this year. Your older siblings are not super interested in taking a picture with Santa anymore- maybe TJ, but he is still trying to decide if he even believes in Santa anymore and I didn't want to disturb his questioning by going to see Santa. And I figured you would not even notice that we didn't go.  Well, you didn't come up to us and say "mommy, daddy, why didn't we go see santa?" but one thing did develop that made me wish that I had taken you... Alora (and I was unaware that this had happened untill a day or two after Christmas) taught you to say; "Ho, Ho, Ho! Merrrr Chriss!" You say it so cute! hahaha... and every time you see Santa on anything, TV- paper- or if we say Santa, you shout it out; "Ho, Ho, Ho... Merrr Chriss!" Hahahahaha!!! How cute it would have been to see what you would have done seeing Santa in person! So definately! We will be at that mall next year for sure! I just pray that you will be just as entertaining if not more still yet by then! Hahahahaha!!

I love you Thaniel- we all love you little guy! And your bright, joyuous, enthusiastic personality brings so much sonshine into this family***