The Third Year Wish

Dear Jack,

Your third birthday has come and gone, so here is my wish for you, for this year and forever.

I could say the usual things that most parents could say to their child. I hope you are happy, loved and potty trained well.

For this year, I have never wanted that more for anyone else than I do for you.

I hope you are always happy. You always show happiness . Even when you watch a cat jump up to catch a dangling string, you find that hilarious. I want great things for you Jack. I want the people that are in your life to be true to you as you will be to them. I want you to be with good people. People that will lead you to right and not wrong. I want you to learn as you grow. Know that you will always have us with you.

I want you to always know on what makes you happy. What is good for you. Stay true to yourself . You love Thomas the Train Engine? Great. You love to have us with you as you go to sleep? Great. So long as I get to go back to my bed and sleep there. I can't stay in your room all night. but that is something that we need to work on.

Always ask questions, always want to know what is going on. That is how you learn.

Stay warm and loving. Always give hugs just because, and know that you will always get hugs and kisses too, just because.

This year will be one of our best. Let me stress that you will be potty trained this year!! That is enough excitement in itself.
You may not have a sibling, or a puppy, or all the Thomas trains you want, but your parents are two people who are amazing in what they do for their child. Always know that they love you like no other.

Cheers to turning 3 !!

Mama and Papa

The New Year Wish

Happy New Year Jack. 2010 has certainly been a somewhat challenging year for us. This was the year that you decided to become a very picky eater. Please, for 2011, eat some green bean and carrots! Your father and I make it edible. Mac and cheese and pasta can only get you so far with nutrition my son. Time to explore and like the world of the green vegetables. Perhaps Parents.com is right. If I create your veggies on your plate to look like a tree or sun, perhaps then you will eat it.

2010 also brought us the great sleep debate. We have yet to buy you the real twin size bed. We are sorry about that Jack but please, you must sleep in your bed. Yes, it is small and yes, the heat does come on primarily in your room first. I have slept in your room. I know how uncomfortable that can be. I just need to know the right words, and the right comforting song to put you in the best sleep ever. You have slept the whole night in your room a couple of times. I know it can happen.

Time outs have been introduced, the concept of sharing has been discussed, these are concepts that are still being discussed and yet to be perfected.

This is not to say that you have been a hair- yanking , arghghghghgh screaming child to us. Definitely not. Early 2010 had us wondering what word you were saying, to your father and I being the only ones who understood your words, to now full sentences with us. Your Spanish even has come out this year! Even more so in the past month. I couldn't be more proud.

I hope that 2011 brings everything that you deserve in life - peace, happiness and tranquility. And that is just when you sleep.

2011 may also bring a baptism/child dedication. I can see that you are now old enough to understand when to stay still and listen. Which means that when the priest wants to bless you, you won't be running around the altar. Where will this happen, we don't know yet.

How will you change in 2011? What will you like and dislike? We hope to be there more for you. Time is so busy and sometimes we only have a few minutes together.

I hope 2011 gives us a few extra seconds.

Be safe,

Love Mama and Papa.