Dear Jackson-3 years 3months

Jackson,
It's official, you are a real little person! I still see you as my baby, and even call you babe/baby sometimes, but you are getting to be a such an independent, sweet, stubborn, and inventive person. I daily see it in the things you do and say.

First, Independent... When you go to the bathroom, you say, "Mom please leave me alone, please close the door!" And the other day when I was getting your lunch out, you grabbed the cheese stick from my hand and said, "Mom don't open that for me, I can do it." and you did.

Next, Sweet... Oh you melt my heart with the ways I see your tenderness coming out.
As I said above, you tell me to leave when you go to the bathroom, and one day you said it pretty forcefully as you closed the door in my face. So I turned to walk away, and through the closed door you said, "Mama... I love you."
Many mornings you will come into our room rather early and climb up in bed with me and Daddy. With out fail you will snuggle up to Daddy, and whisper, "Daddy, I love you." Then once he has said it back, you turn to me and say the same. I love that you like to cuddle.
When you aren't busy clobbering Raylee you are quite sweet with her too. I love hearing you talk to her in your sing songy Mommy voice; you'll say things like, "RayRay, do you like that?" "RayRay, come sit with me," or "It's ok RayRay, don't cry baby." In the car you will often say things like, "Raylee do you see the red car? yeah? good." or "RayRay, do you like this music, this is pretty music huh?" I could go on for awhile about all the cute things you say to Raylee.

Stubborn... Since no one is perfect I have to paint a fair picture of you here. When you have decided in your head that something needs to happen/or not happen a certain way, it is as good as done! You are so determined, whether it be about riding your bike over a planter, not getting out of the bath, putting your own shoes on even when you can't get it right, or wanting to be picked up at a really inconvenient time. But I know that that determination has the potential to serve you well in many ways in life, as long as you learn how to channel it positively.

Lastly, Inventive... Wow kid, you are amazing me with how smart and mechanical you are... like Father like son! Lately you have been all about towing things; anytime you can find any sort of string or cord you will tie it to something and pull another toy with it. In the process of doing this you have also taught yourself how to tie a rather good knot. Your Grandpa would be proud!

(here is a shot of us together on Thanksgiving)

Thanks for being you, I am blessed to be your Mommy.