deep wells and shallow puddles: Rylan: 3 years old

Rylan,

I can't believe you're 3...I guess technically you're my little boy now, but you'll always be my baby. I can hear you saying, "No, I'm a big boy!" And in many ways you are...you run around the playgrounds like you own them, you help teach your little brother all sorts of things, you walk in your big boy way when you know you're big stuff, you want to get everything right the first time...you hold yourself to a high standard.

But, in some ways you're still my little boy...when you want me to hold you, "mommy, say 'my beautiful baby' is sleeping." You usually say that when we're almost home and you want me to carry you like a baby into the house and tell you how beautiful you are as you pretend to be asleep. Those times when you're afraid at bedtime or nap time and want us to stay longer, get in bed with you (under the covers or you won't have it) and read another book. And when you fall or hurt yourself and need a kiss to make it all better.

You are learning your letters and you know all your colors (in spite of your color blind daddy trying to teach you). You ask questions ALL day long!! I feel like I am a computer that is taking in too much information in the form of question overload...I'm hoping I don't break soon. And ignoring your questions only makes it worse.

You love frisbee and can throw better than most people I know (including a lot of ultimate players). You love taking it easy in the mornings...you're never in a rush to start the day. You love your fun socks...with aliens, helicopters, dragon feet, etc. You love being naked and having a blanket wrapped around you. You love your dogs and love when they lay with you. You have your version of an invisible friend, Ant (from word world) and y'all do a lot of things together...and sometimes invite other word world friends.

You are so sweet and I have seen your compassionate side this past year. When you were just 20 months old I remember crying and you walked over to the wet wipe container and pulled a wipe out and brought it over and laid it against my cheek...I will never forget that. Anytime someone is upset you want them to be comforted...me, someone on tv, your brother, etc. You used to get frustrated when Cullen would whine or grunt (and still do a lot of the time)...you tell me and Daddy that Cullen is sad (or mad) and expect us to make it better immediately or try to comfort him yourself.

You go one week being absolutely perfect...happy and content and obedient. And then you hit a week where you whine on and off all day and pretend not to hear me and daddy talking to you.

You are my buddy...my constant companion (you and your brother). I love watching you two together. You already seem like best friends in a lot of ways. I pray it stays that way.