You are so smart and have such an amazing memory and thought processes; you love to read and you love your alone time almost as much as you love playing with your younger brother.  You get frustrated when you can’t do something (you are SO much like me). You talk constantly and have no filters – you say what you think and feel and couldn’t keep a secret to save your life (your GramBo and I are so envious of your ability to say anything – you’ll understand as you get older).

You are still in love with your Elly, though I see you leaving her behind more and more often and it’s just one more thing to prove that you’re growing up too fast.

You go in spurts, where you are perfectly helpful and polite and happy and then switch to to frustrated and angry and what I would call a brat.  You fight against having a schedule but you need one more than anything.  Left alone, you can’t make decisions or second guess your decisions constantly. Sometimes I forget that you’re still little and that you need us to guide you all the time, not just sometimes. And you know how to push my buttons more than any other person I’ve ever known.

You are compassionate, sweet, loving, intelligent, funny, protective and amazing.  You’re not my sweet, chubby baby anymore; you’re all legs and elbows, but every once in a while you give me a hug that takes my breath away.

I love you to the moon and back. Happy Birthday, sweet boy.

The numbers of changes of the years that this little boy has gone through are amazing. The number of ways he is different than his big brother boggles the mind.

Preston, at 4, is still fighting using the bathroom consistently. He knows his letters and a lot of numbers (as in more than 1-10), but still isn’t sure how to spell his name and doesn’t like to write or color. He is obsessed with cars – matchbox/hot wheels, remote control cars, real cars. He can name car brands and models from a mile away. More than anything, when he is tired or upset, he needs his bear and juice and to lay on the couch with a blanket. He is my cuddle bug – still willing to sit with me and give hugs and kisses and dole out the ‘I love yous’ without a moment of hesitation. He is stubborn and independent and sweet and smart; he is sneaky and silly and talkative and loud. He is my love and heart, walking around outside my body. And today, he is 4.

The Many Faces of Preston

My dear, sweet Matthew,

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow you are going to be 6 years old.  I so vividly remember being pregnant with you, feeling you move and falling in love with you before I ever saw your face.  You are an amazing little boy – absurdly smart, silly, sensitive and loving.  You’ve grown so much in the last year – the change from 5 to 6 has been filled with amazing discoveries, including you discovering your independence more than ever (your dad and I are totally loving you being able to turn on the tv, the playstation and being able to make your own breakfast!!).  You constantly surprise me by repeating words and facts that you seem to absorb like a sponge. Your ability to read is fantastic (I always hoped for my kids to love to read like I do); your ability to love and be tender with your brother is even better.  Of course, you’re not perfect…you still get whiny when you’re exhausted, you still have issues with the bathroom, and you mimic me way too much, but you are adorable and easy to forgive when you make mistakes. You are handsome, athletic and such a wonderful little boy.  I am lucky to be your mama.  Happy birthday, baby.

Love, Mommy

*PEEP*

new bike