six years with Luke

Dear Adorable Luke,

Spending the past six years with you has been nothing but a blessing. I honestly can't believe how fast the time has gone and how quickly you've grown up. When we found out we were having baby boy #2, we were set on the name Issac. In fact, your ultrasound picture and gift cards are addressed to "baby Issac". But as your due date approached, your Dad and I felt strongly that you were not an Ike. When we saw your darling little face and tiny body (at 6 lbs 1 oz) we knew immediately that Luke was your name. Months later, I came across the meaning of Luke- "bringer of light" and I realized that we had most definitely chosen the right name. You have been a DELIGHT since day one and there is no doubt that our home would be dim without you as a part of our family.

You were born into chaos. Your older brother was only 19 months at the time.. and I was in the middle of my last semester of college. I was sleep-deprived, over-worked and borderline psycho! Before you arrived, I didn't know HOW I was going to manage adding more to the mix. But you were my miracle baby. It doesn't make sense, but when you were born, my life became easier.. You calmed the chaos and set me at ease. Easy-breezy has been your motto, Lukey. You slept through the night at two weeks. You went with the flow, ate anything put in front of you and became instant best friends with your big bro. Like the rest of the world, Benny adored you from the beginning.

Literally from the first time I held you, I knew you were something special. Two days after you were born, I had to leave you at the hospital so you could sleep under a bed of lights. I was devastated and I cried all the way home. I hated seeing you motionless under those lights without anything on except miniature sunglasses and a diaper. The only time someone could hold you was when it was time to eat... So every three hours, I would drive to the hospital to be there for feeding time. When I arrived for a particular 3 am shift, one of your nurses scolded me for coming. She told me that I was crazy and that I should be taking this time to get some much needed sleep. But it wasn't an option for me. I was your mom and I wanted to hold my sweet baby whenever I had the chance! I will never forget carrying you back to the mother's lounge, removing your hospital cap (and teeny-tiny sunglasses) and rocking you that night. I told you (out loud) that I would always be here for you. I would do anything you needed me to.. no matter the cost. You looked at me with your big, brown eyes (which happened to be super crossed!) and I knew you understood what I was saying. I felt (and still do feel) like you communicate through your striking, dark eyes... (crossed only on occasion now :) I've told you this story many times. I often wonder if you get bored with it, but a few weeks ago, I overheard you telling Zack, "She came to the hospital in the middle of the night and wouldn't let the nurse feed me a bottle!" Hearing you repeat the story melted my heart-- and that's something you do frequently.

You have always been a lover boy. I used to call you my baby chimpanzee because your arms and legs were Velcro-ed around my neck and waist at all times. You never wanted to go anywhere that I wasn't.. and I grew quite accustomed to my little buddy. I remember one afternoon in church feeling so disappointed because it was time for you to go to nursery.. and I wasn't willing to give you up. You would sit on my lap the entire three hours of church and not make a sound. You would play with my hair and give me lots of hugs and kisses and I loved every minute of it. We were both so upset when I had to drop you off and leave you to play with toys! I watched you through the window and felt like the time had passed too quickly. And here we are.. days later... celebrating birthday number six! You've grown up so fast!

You knew the entire alphabet at ONE, you were swimming across the pool at age TWO, you were reading at THREE... and it didn't stop there! Do you know that in your six years of life you have NEVER thrown a tantrum? You're so even tempered and such a great communicator that throwing a fit would be completely out of character. That's pretty incredible. You never cease to amaze us with your quick wit and intelligent mind. But you don't care to impress, you never want to be the center of attention and the LAST thing you need is a compliment. Your self-esteem is rock solid and I love that about you. You are always comfortable being you... and any attention is too much attention. Last week, Daddy and I asked you if we could take you out for your birthday, just the three of us. We offered to celebrate any way you wanted, you just needed to name the place. You looked at Ben and Zack, then back at Daddy and I and frankly said, "Um... No thanks." Daddy and I burst out with laughter as you shrugged your shoulders. We should have known better!

Luke, I want you to know how MUCH I enjoy being your mom. Every day, I feel grateful to have such a sweet, silly and calm little boy. You've set the peaceful tone in our home. You are a wonderful friend to your brothers and such a bright spot in our lives. And even though you tear up every time we talk about it, eventually, you are going to be a grown man... ready to leave the house and take on the world. I'm sure when that day comes, I will be crying like I was when I left you at the hospital or when I watched through the window while you played in nursery. Sooner or later, you will outgrow your little boy obsessions and you'll be too big to give me one of your famous run hugs-- so I will enjoy them while I can!! I don't know what lies in your future, but I know you have much to offer the world! How lucky I am to have your love, friendship and light in my life.

Happy Birthday, crazy kid. I will always be here for you... no matter what.

Much love,

Mom

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