Birthday Bug

Dear Bug,

You've made two trips around the sun today, my sweet boy!  Today is the day you turn two!  You've been in our home and our family for just three months now, but it feels as though you're one of the missing puzzle pieces who is now just right where he should be.

You are such a clown, Bug.  When Daddy or I get you to laugh, we can't help but feel really proud of ourselves.  You love to laugh, but mainly you love to make us and your brother laugh.  You have thee most expressive face of any child I've known and amazing control over your facial muscles- you're always making a face or giving a look that you know will elicit a smile or a laugh from whoever is watching.  You love music and you love to dance.  Some of our favorite times with you are spent in the living room, after dinner, dancing and singing.

We started calling you "Bug" because of just how much you love to snuggle.  You don't need to snuggle as much these days as you grow more and more confident and secure of your place in our world (which we promise will forever be secure and safe)- and as you grow older and more independent.  You used to get really uncomfortable anytime we'd lay you down to change your diaper or to recline you in our arms to rock you.  Now you welcome the chance to smile and interact- and at bedtime you squirm and wiggle as fast as you can to be cradled in mine or Daddy's arms.  This is a HUGE victory for you, Bug, because you didn't used to trust us to put you to sleep like this.  Now you babble on as we pray over you and sing "Jee, Jee, Jee" as we sing to you about Jesus while you nod off.  You worm your arms into just such a position that lets you hold our hands as we rock you.  You are such a love.

You are crazy about cars, puppies and Elmo.  We frequently leave the room only to return to your giggles as you chase the "pupppeeee!" and are chased back in return and smothered with her kisses- which you love.  Your vocabulary is beginning to explode and it's so fun to hear you form words- and to listen for which words are important enough for you to want to learn.  This applies most specifically to food, it seems, because you love to eat-so you're learning more and more of what's what on the table.  You aren't picky at all- just curious and eager to try anything new.  Your favorite foods are fruits and vegetables- you would make a fantastic vegetarian because you'd be happy to subside on them alone.  Even though you loooove to eat the way you do, we never have to ask twice for you to join us in prayer before a meal.  You willingly reach out your arms to hold hands with us and sign off at the end with an "Aaah-meh," said with deep conviction.  Some nights you babble along with whoever is praying and we love that you've already a desire to speak to our Maker.  It is the deepest desire and most persistent prayer of ours that this desire be the strongest in your life-throughout many more trips around the sun.

You bring us so much joy, Bug.  We've no idea yet what family God has planned to be your forever family, but we hope and (selfishly) pray that it is ours.  You've been through dark times already, my dear, more dark days than I've known in nearly three decades of life, but you maintain such joy and a fierce love of living!  Oh the strength you have!  Oh, how I admire you, Darling Boy!

Happy, happy birthday, my Bug.