Happy 3rd Birthday!

Dear Chandler,

I can't believe that three years have passed since you came into this world and made me into a mommy. How can three years go by so fast?! I remember just days before you were born, sitting on the couch, wondering how the heck am I going to do this for at least another 3 weeks and that's if you weren't late! I figured you were going to be just like you're daddy and take your sweet time and mozy on out of the oven around mid to late September, oh how wrong I was. Little did I know that you were going to be just like mommy and be early bird to your own party...21 days early! At just 19 inches and 6lbs, 11oz you were a little one. You gave us quite a few scares from the get go, a 10 day NICU stay with what I called "the jaundice that would never go away", a possible infection (thank goodness results came back negative), and some blood incompatiblity issues but we made it though the long, windy road and ended up here....a perfectly healthy (not so) little boy three years later.

You have grown into quite a personality this last year. You're biggest achievement has been your speech. Once you picked up language you have never. stopped. talking. I am amazed at how you can talk from the minute you wake up until the minute you go to bed. It's constant but I love that you're not shy and are not afraid to speak up! You've also learned the art of numerous facial expressions and when to use the right ones to get the best impact. Add that to your great sense of humor and I see a budding comedian in training. Your memorization skills are above all your best skill set. You can see/learn something one time and it's ingrained in your memory....forever. You have memorized the ABC's, numbers, 50 states, about 10 presidents, many useless facts about random things, money, some spanish, countless vocab words (that a normal toddler would never know), the way to every store we frequent (good thing cause I have no sense of direction), every episode of the Imagination Movers, and every bad/annoying thing your aunties have taught you. Thanks a lot Anna and Denise :)

You're extremely thoughtful, always wondering what your friends are up to, and are the first to ask if they're ok or why they are sad. You are outgoing, never one to shy away and you usually jump right into the fun stuff (as long as you don't get messy, heaven forbid!) You enjoy learning new things, swimming, soccer and t-ball. You've taken after your mom and dad and love watching the UFC, you even have the announcer, Bruce Buffer's, voice down pat. You can intro the fighters just like he does and it's a riot.

You have been an incredible teacher these last three years too. You've taught me how to enjoy the little moments, to open my eyes and see all my surroundings. You've taught me how to have more patience, that there are many different ways to do something, not just MY way. You've taught me how to be silly, let loose, and just have FUN. I could go on and on about everything you've taught me, all the neat little things you do and what makes you so special to us but I'm going to end this open letter to you with three little words.

Happy Birthday Chandler!

Love,
Mommy