Deuces!! Cole is 2!!

Happy 2nd birthday, my sunshine! Every year I write you & your brothers a letter on your big day. I try to sum up what the past year has meant to me, to us - your best & brightest moments, your accomplishments .. I never know quite where to start because frankly, every day with you is filled with such joy. It's true, your Dad & I may be a little over zealous in how proud we are of you (What?! He can open the door?! Say what?! He can can hold a toy?!) If it wasn't for your big brothers, we may not have stopped to soak in every.single.second of your being. For them we are thankful, and oh, so blessed to have you! Our hearts are overflowing because of the little boy you are. You amaze us each and every day.

I remember when you were so tiny your soft skin literally melted into mine.

I spent the past few days reading through memories of the past two years... My letter to you before you were born, your birth story, your first birthday. From the moment we found out I was pregnant with you, to this very day, you have brought us nothing but happiness. Little man, I hope you know the joy you bring to people's lives. It's something you don't even have to try at - you just 'bring it'. The sunshine, that is! =)

Little glow worm ~ 9 days old
Now at 2 years old, you are my helper. My right hand man! My shadow! You may not fit into my arms like a tiny ball anymore, but you are still right there with me. I love that.

'Ol blue eyes loving his first lick of the beater!
Your sweet nature shines so bright. Your compassion & love for people is huge! You have so much to give...

You took a big spill on the pavement this day... but it didn't stop your smiles!

You are so patient with your Daddy & I while we care for Aidan & Ty. You wait your turn to play with us or for help with something, if you know your brothers need something. Sometimes, if they cry out, you are the first one at their side. You sometimes get to them even before I know they need me. Always looking out for them ~ best big little brother!

Now that you are 2, your bond with your brothers has grown even more. The first thing you do when you wake is look for them. Are they in their usual spots? Are they sleeping? "A-dee & Ty" you say... Once you have spotted them, you go about your play, your breakfast, your morning routine.

Taking a little break on Ty's lap ~ 14 months old

Triple the outdoor fun!

Helping feed Ty & saying what animals are on their shirts!

Little football fans!

Holding the phone so Aidan can make a call =)

You are connected to them in such a way. If one of your brothers isn't in his usual spot at a particular time, you search every room until you find him. Some days you are attached to Aidan, other days you are Ty's shadow. Most of the time though, you want to be right in the middle. If your brothers are laying on the floor, you wedge yourself right in the middle to lay down beside them. If they are sitting in their chairs, you grab your chair, plop it down in between & just sit with them.

The other morning I was putting your brothers down for their nap in our room. You decided you wanted to nap with them. You crawled into our bed, pulled up the covers and said "Sch-weet Dreams". Aww! How could I say No to you then?! Not only did you want to NAP, but you wanted to be near your brothers! And you busted out the cutest line ever!

And this has always been something that makes my heart swell ~ since you were a very young baby, you would always reach out to hold your brothers hands. Last night, as you sat on the couch by Tyler and I, you reached out to hold Ty's hand. Almost subconsciously. You cuddled up to me, and rubbed and held Ty's hand. Then you hopped off the couch and went to Daddy, who was holding Aidan, and held onto Aidan's hand. So connected. Like souls that have been bonded even before birth.

Ty 19 months ~ Cole 3 months Holding hands.

Cole 4 months ~ Aidan 2.5 years Play buddies!
I hope someday you will read back through these moments, and see the bonds you've made, how you've grown, how you've changed. Now that you are 2, you are talking up a storm, one of the biggest changes over the past year! You've really found your voice! But, you've always been a talker, haven't you?? I came across this little video today. You've always had something to say =)
"Talking" at 2 months old
23 months old
Today, as you followed your Daddy around the house, you asked him to hold your hand as you walked down the stairs. 'Hold hand, Daddy' you said. Your Dad reached out his hand to take yours and you said 'Tank you', in the most genuine toddler-ish way. Don't think I've ever heard a sweeter thank you in all my life.

One thing is for sure, based on what you talk about the most - you definitely are your Dad's son. You.love.cars! Anything with wheels! Anything that GOES! Anything that zooms! Anyone who has a convo with you will surely hear you say "Ambulance, Back Hoe Tractor, Cement Truck, Tug Boat, Race Car, Airplane..." Sometimes you just run down the list of everything that can move - you name them all. I've been sure to remind you that you can't drive until you are 16, so you don't get any grand ideas, ha! I say to you "How old do you have to be to drive?" "Sixth-teen" you say.

20 months old
When we ask you a question, you say mostly say 'Ok' instead of 'Yes'. "Do you want to take a bath? - Ok, Mama." Lately you have started to say "Alright, Daddy". So cute! And my favorite Cole saying - "Oh Boy!" when you are surprised or exasperated. Today there were lots of "Cool toys!" or "Wow, Mommy!" when you were playing with your new birthday gifts!

Now that you are 2, you are learning at lightning speed (must be the race car driver in you!)! We are still so new to many of these milestones, and like I have always said ~ because of your brothers, we don't take a single milestone for granted! Counting, knowing your shapes... I had no idea you could count to 10 until I was making formula for your brothers one day & you came up behind me to count out the scoops while I poured stuff into the blender! Now you count everything! The buttons on the tv, your cars, your fingers.... I didn't know you had your shapes down either until bath time one night. You opened up your book of shapes, pointed to & named each shape! Your little mind blows my mind!! Grateful you embrace & love to learn ~ colors, the alphabet (you have A-G down!)... and your love for reading! Your favorite book right now ~ The Happy Man & His Dump Truck. Your favorite book to read to your brothers ~ Goodnight Moon. Precious!!

Drummer! 13 months old
As most little tykes can be.. you are extra curious. "What's that doing?" and "What's that noise?".... You want to know what things are and how they work (you decided to figure out how the lock on the front door worked while I was out getting the mail - I must say the cold weather sure feels colder when you're locked out of the house!)

Your funny side is really coming out! You laugh at the typical things kids find funny (aka fart noises). And you pull funny lines on us - like when you tried to negotiate your nap time the other day. You asked for a time-out instead of a nap. Ha! I'm so glad you have a sense of humor - and the best part of your jokester self - that adorable smile you flash us!

14 months old

13 months old ~ wearing Daddy's hat!
A few weeks ago you gave me the best gift a Mama could ever ask for - you said 'Love you'! I have waited and waited for that moment. You took your little hands and held my cheeks and gave me the biggest kiss! You are the sweetest little guy.

I'll always hold onto our Eskimo kisses before bed (or as you call them, 'Elmo kisses'). You laugh and laugh when we do this. It's one of my favorite parts of the day.

As I lay you down for each nap & before bed every night, I squeeze my eyes shut tight - almost like the shutter of a camera. Trying to hold onto the moment... you clinging to me as you say, 'Hug, Mama". Or just one more "Rock". Hard to imagine there will be a day you won't fit in my arms, or a day you won't need me to wind you down for sleep. Holding onto those sweet, quiet moments.

23 months old

One of my favorites. Those cheeks & that smile...

Happy. And when you wake in the morning, you are one day older. I see you change, grow & thrive with each day. This past year we have seen you learn so much! While our hearts fill with pride at each moment captured, each milestone accomplished... the truth of the matter is - it doesn't matter how many shapes you know, or how high you can count. You could know one word, 100 words, no words... We will always be proud of everything you set out to do & accomplish. What matters is that you love what you are doing. What matters is that you are happy, that you feel loved, and that you love life. Because if you love life, the rest will fall into place.


Happy 2nd birthday, my sweet boy. Keep on lovin' life & spreading your sunshine!
Love, Mama