to remember: Levi, 2 and 3/4

Dear Levi,

There's so very much I want to remember about 2 and 3/4 year old you.  

You are smart. You are curious and you have an insatiable hunger to learn.  You want to know what everything is called, who everyone is, where we are, where we are going, what we are talking about. You soak it up like a sponge.  Everyday you add new words to your vocabulary and your sentences are lengthening and getting more cohesive and sophisticated.  You love books and ask for books to be read to you constantly.  After reading all throughout the day (25 on average?), you still insist on reading by yourself before bed (sometimes for hours!).  There are times when we find you passed out in the middle of a huge pile of books. 

You are FUNNY. Like, really funny. I think you were born with a natural inclination for humor (or else you picked up on your Dad's humor awfully quickly). You try to make us laugh constantly and you are usually quite successful.  No matter how bad a day is going, you cheer us up.  We have a constantly growing notebook called "Levi-isms", so we never forget your two year old humor. One of your favorite jokes at the moment is calling people by the wrong name (you spent an entire week calling me and your Papa "Jonny" and "Sarah") and you love making up funny, often rhyming, names for things and people.

You are friendly and you make friends wherever you go.  You especially love older kids and will follow them around and try to do whatever they do.  You give your friends and family hugs and kisses and ask about them all the time. 

You are kind and sensitive.  If you see me upset, you come over and offer your blanket and ask if I have a "tummy ache".  You tell me it's going to be ok. When other little ones cry when they are dropped off at church nursery, you run over and say "It's ok. She'll be back!". 

Even though you go through the trials and turmoils of most toddlers (the occasional tantrum, grumpy day), you learn quickly and always apologize when you've acted out.  On the really bad days, when I lose my temper and have to ask for forgiveness, you give me extra hugs and we always make up quickly.  I hope you'll always know that you're my dear boy and I'll always love you, no matter what. 

While I had your little sister in my belly, you always seemed so excited to meet her and you would hug and kiss my belly and ask when she would "pop out". Even so, everyone would warn me how the baby would turn your world upside down and how you'd probably be jealous and/or act out. My dear, you have done just splendidly and you are so much more of a great big brother than I could have imagined.  When you came to the hospital, you knew exactly who you were coming to see and you welcomed her with open arms. You call her "my Maggie" and ask to hold her constantly.  You are so sweet with her and you tell her that you love her many times a day.  You gently stroke her feet, hands and hair and say "look at her tiny little hands!" and "look at her tiny little toes!" and "look at her tiny little tongue!".  You adore her and I can already tell that she loves you back.  

You are getting more and more independent and sometimes it's hard for me to see you needing me less. Having Magnolia reminds me of the sweet times we shared when you were a baby.  You are a baby no more and you are growing into a smart, kind and wonderful little boy. Know that no matter how big and independent you get, I'll always be your Mama and will love you more than you can imagine.  

I Love you, sweet boy!
Mama