To Elliot, My Son, Who is Three

Dear Elliot,

It's hard to believe that you're turning three at 8:15 tomorrow morning. It seems like just yesterday, you were being put into my arms as I wailed, "Where's my baby? Give me my baby!" And just like that, it seems like you're not a baby anymore.

These days, you're into Superman and Spiderman and Monsters. When we open the door sometimes, you say, "Big Bad Wolf." Trucks and Thomas pique your interest, but in homage to your sister, when you can pick a color, you choose Pink.

You're a fish in the water...fearless completely. It scares us to death, how you put your head under, mouth open, and come up laughing, smiling, and demanding "Again!" You have a ridiculous full-body Sponge Bob floaty-suit (bright yellow to attract maximum attention) because you refuse all our attempts to help you. "Myself," you say, as we try to hold you in the water. Yes, my boy, you can do so much yourself. Thank you for reminding us.

You are such a social butterfly! You love seeing your family...every morning you do your role call, and greet us with a hug, and demands to "nuggle." As I watch you through the day, you pull people to you, teachers, friends, sometimes strangers. I honestly believe that you see God in people, recognize the best in them, and love them for it. You have a real gift there. It defines you when I think of who you are as a person.

You are equal parts tornado and sponge these days, whipping through the house, bouncing pinball-like from one chaotic creation to the other. You laugh at our discipline, and go "boneless" when we try to move you from your latest disaster. Everything is interesting to you. For about 15 seconds. Then you're on to the next bit. Mama is trying to keep up, but I'm getting bigger and more tired. Is this just a phase? Maybe between the cake and ice cream tomorrow, you can let me know.

You're talking up a storm:

I want more baleada please.

Tito is in Honduras.

I want to sit next to Ana.

I'm going to sleep in Mama's bed.

And now everything is "mine." My daddy, my tita, my bear, my turn.

But we mostly love the sweet inflections you use when calling our names, or saying "Darlin,'" Mama's term for you and Ana. You always couple this with some eyelash fluttering, or moving your chin to your chest. It couldn't be sweeter or more endearing, the way you add the extra sugar. You're full of hugs, and kisses ("with noise," we request); it's rare that you tell us, "no," when it comes to lovin' but we understand.

You love your sister so, and follow her around like a little duck. That is, when you're not completely destroying whatever she's working on, or doing exactly what she's telling you not to do. She's having to adjust to the fact that you're not a baby, too. You're doing a great job of asserting yourself.

Favorite moments in everyday life:

• nightly tickles
• helping take out the trash
• any baking that involves the use of the big red and chrome mixer
• flushing the toilet
• reading
• playing your red accordian
• opening the oven (and stepping on the door, if we're not careful
• climbing the inside of the fridge!
• washing the dishes
• opening the car door. Esp. if we're crossing a long bridge. with no where to stop.

And boy, do you laugh! You love a good giggle, and often laugh just because you see others laughing. What joy you bring! Life is never dull with you around, Elliot. You keep us smiling, and running. I'm so grateful that I get to watch you grow each step of the way. I love you, Elliot. Happy Birthday!