Happy Birthday, John!

Happy Birthday, John John (or Jack Jack or Will..whatever comes out first...4th child)!  2 years have gone by since you introduced yourself to us and Molly sang you 'Happy Birthday' for the first time. I am sure many people could argue their case, but you have to be one of the most loved younger brothers ever!

 It helps that you are generally up for just about everything.  Whether it is playing at the beach.

 Playing in the yard.

 Playing in the living room.

Or hanging out at Universal Studios on a weird creature in Seuss Landing.  You are one easy going kid.

 In the last year, we've immersed you in our sports culture...and you love it!  You recognize nearly every sports ball on sight and, of course, our favorite mascot.  You are your brothers' biggest fan...unless the game goes into extra time (and by extra time, I mean any time longer than John is willing to sit).  And I can't blame you for getting fidgety.  Those games can go long!

 You love books.  Not since Dom have I had a child who will sit at such a young age and read book after book after book.  My favorite time with you is nap time.  You snuggle into my lap with a book and it's just you and me for a while (unless Molly joins us, which is perfectly acceptable as long as she understands you are in sole possession of my lap).  There are many days the 5 minutes of reading turn into 20 minutes or longer because I will read to you until your head doesn't lift quite so readily to go choose a new story. 

 Though meal time is also a great time to get to know you.  Your personality continues to emerge as the family joker.  You had all of us in hysterics as you pointed at each of us around the table and named us.  Then turned your finger on yourself and sweetly said: "John John!" and then lifted your shirt and said: "Tummy!"

I'm the envy of many moms with how well you sleep.  You took to being the fourth in the bunk room like a champ.  And your siblings love hearing you chatter and talk to them into the night.  Eric and I enjoy hearing the soft murmur of sibling voices as they make memories.  I'm sure you drift off to sleep with Will's laughter in your ears.  What nice dreams that would make! No wonder you never fight going to bed.

You are pretty helpful around the house.  You will dust and wipe up messes.  You help with the dishwasher and at the very least make that chore more enjoyable for Dom and Will.  You run to the car and get into your car seat when you see the others doing so.  You attempt to pick up your toys, which is light years ahead of a couple of other kids in the house.  And your hair is a nice indicator of when we can expect some rain or just really humid weather.  The curls are totally awesome and it will be a sad day when you have your first haircut.  Which may be quite a while since we live in Florida and the humidity here keeps your tendrils curled tightly on your head.

 Your favorite activities are looking at books. (Preferably with a sibling or parent, but you are content to leaf through a stack all on your own.)

 Playing with the marble works can be a great way to keep your entertained and out of kitchen cabinets.  You also like to do anything outside.  I think you'd rather be outside 90% of the time.  Baths are a highlight of your day, too.  Actually, any activity with water is a highlight of your day.

 Of all of my kids, you are the most likely to have a good smile and be looking at the camera.  Look at that face!

 Even when you do things you aren't suppose to (like climb onto the top bunk...or color on walls) I can't stay mad at you for very long.  All you have to do is say: "Oh No!" and shake your head in a very serious way...and I have to suppress a smile.  I think your sister has already figured this out and may use this knowledge to her advantage...

 You are one loved little boy.  And you pay us all back with your sunny disposition and quick laugh.

 You greet us with a jolly 'Hi, Mom!', 'Hi, Dad!', 'Hi, Domigic!' (you substitute a g for the n...it is pretty cute, but you handle that three syllable word like a champ), 'Hi, Will!', 'Hi, Molly!' and nice warm hugs.

 We sure do love you, Mr. John!  Every day you amaze us with a new phrase or skill (his crazy basketball skills and throwing skills are just now getting mentioned).  Most recently, I loved hearing you reply "Awesome!" after Molly handed you a donut.  You will also say: "Thank you!" without being prompted, but will be incredibly stubborn when it comes to saying 'Please'.  It melted your dad's heart the first morning you said: "Bye, Dad!  I Love You!".  Granted it sounded more like: "Bye, Dad!  Do Do Do!"  But, we knew what you were saying.  As this year progresses and you continue to grow your vocabulary, I hope the nonsense dialect you've developed to fill in the gaps of your conversation skills will not disappear entirely.  It reminds me of a faux language my Opa use to speak.  I think he would have liked you very much.  He enjoyed getting people to laugh, too.

We Thank God that he blessed us with your life, John Eugene Anthony!  I'm not a morning person, but I do look forward to seeing your smiling face and watching you run towards me for a morning hug and snuggle.  It took four kids for me to appreciate what a gift that early morning wake up call can be.  To start the day with unconditional love is pretty incredible! Almost beats coffee with Baileys...Actually, it crushes coffee with Baileys.

We love you very much and hope you have a wonderful 2nd birthday and year.  Now, let's go find a big pile of sand and a pail of water.  I suspect you know exactly where both of these things are.