4 Years In

Cameron,
I am sure you understand that your daddy and I are only 4 years into this parenting thing.  You have the special position of our official guinea pig.  As much as we try to be conscious of the things that we let you see and hear, you are growing up fast and we have to let you keep venturing out into the world.  You still catch us by surprise with things that you have heard at school or seen in a commercial and somehow retained... ("Mom, that's Charmin Ultra Soft!" Those bears sure are a catchy mascot.)   But you seem to be full of kindness, grace, and humor.  You get along and when you have a rare meltdown, you rebound quickly and have learned to ask for as well as give forgiveness.

There still seem to be parts of your personality that we can't really take credit for.  You are just a natural leader and seem to be truly happy to help others.  You get so excited when your brother is awake and smiles at you and you can give him kisses.  You are learning to play more by yourself, which is sort of an unfortunate necessity when I am trying to feed your brother or get him to bed.  Suddenly we have Barbie clothes all over the house and you are sounding out words.  You come home from school every day with a million papers with your little handwriting and tell us we can't throw any of them away because they are special!  And you love to show off your brother like he is your show & tell item (even though you introduced him once by saying with, "This is my brother, he has brown hair" with a tinge of disappointment....)

For your big four year birthday, your Grandpa and Gigi made a special trip to San Antonio to buy you your first bike!  You were super excited to pick it out and of course you went for the princess one.  The little carriage on the front even snaps off so you can play with it when you aren't zipping your doll around the neighborhood.  You reminded me so much of your daddy when you first got on.  You got frustrated because you needed a few minutes of practice and I even have you on video saying you don't like it because you couldn't go fast!  But a few adjustments later and you were peddling fast and waving at me as you flew by.  It almost made me teary-eyed thinking how quickly the past four years went by.

Your daddy and I want you to know that we love you so much and are so proud.  We thank God that he knew how much our family needed you and that we get the blessing of watching you grow and learn every day.  I tell you all the time, but you truly are my best girl.  You make me laugh and wonder all the time.  I can't wait to see what your future holds.

Love,
Mama