It's been two years, buddy.
Two whole years since our eyes met for the first time.
I can still remember it - 7:08pm, Wednesday, October 24, 2012 when a 9 lb., 7 oz. big boy made his debut.
In a moment I became even more of a woman than I had been before you arrived - you made me a mom.
Your smile.
Your laugh.
Your love.
Your passion.
Your fire.
Your curiosity.
I've thought for weeks about what to write to you on your second birthday, little man. For weeks I've wondered if I would be able to accurately convey just how much you mean to me. For weeks I've looked back at pictures from those early days and melted into a puddle of tears.
Just as the seasons change you have changed over this past year, my son. You have become such a fun-loving, excited, inquisitive little man and I am beyond thankful that you chose me to be your mom.
My head spins when I think back to everything that we have experienced over this second year of your life.
You've had your first haircut and your first trip to a zoo.
You've learned how to use utensils and feed yourself.
You've learned your colors, your shapes, and how to count to five in Spanish.
You've experienced your first (and hopefully only) week-long hospital stay.
You've learned to sing nursery rhymes - like Itsy-Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus (your favorite) and Twinkle, Twinkle Littler Star.
You've experienced snow (i.e. ice in Alabama…) and created your first art project.
You've learned to run and give real hugs and kisses.
You've learned to follow directions (most of the time…) and how to climb (those Hawk genes kickin' in…).
You've learned to drink from a real glass and how to rough-house with your daddy.
You've learned that you don't always get what you want and that actions have consequences.
You've learned how to plant seeds, water them and watch them grow.
You've learned to observe out the car windows to know where we are. You yell "Lola's house. Papa's house," before we even turn into their driveway and "Robert's street" as we turn onto our street each afternoon.
You've learned to slide down a slide all by yourself.
You've learned to apologize for inappropriate behavior and to ask for help when you need it.
You've learned how to do puzzles and experienced the beach for the first time.
You've learned that you love ice cream and splashing in the pool.
You've learned how to hit a ball off a tee and how to scarf down a Krispy Kreme doughnut in 30 seconds flat.
You've become a big brother and an awesome little helper.
You've smiled.
You've laughed.
You've cried.
And through it all you are teaching me more and more about who you were meant to be.
You've been teaching me how to be a better mom.
You've been teaching me how to be a better person.
You've taught me that the toys strewn about aren't as important as the people in the room.
You've taught me the simplest things can be the most awe-inspiring.
You've taught me to stop and watch the world around me.
You've taught me that being in the moment matters.
You've taught me patience - that you will do things in your own time, in your own way, as you are you.
As we leave for school each morning you love to look up and find the stars and the moon (yes, we leave for school early enough that the stars and moon are still quite visible) and no matter how much of a hurry I feel as though I am in, those moments of you just standing and staring up at the big sky above you are all that matter.
You are my sunshine.
My first-born.
My sweet, sweet boy.
My favorite TWO year old. :-)
I love you, Robert Franklin - with all my heart.
Happiest of birthdays to you, my little man.
Love,
Mommy
