Dear Noah,

On Friday you turned 31-months old.  I don’t know where the time has gone.  You have grown so fast.  You are such a little boy.  You are a hilarious little boy.  You have really begun to develop a sense of humor and I have to say that I spend a big portion of my day laughing with you and at you.  Sorry, about the laughing at you, but sometimes you are just too cute and too funny.  I know that I am helping you on your way to “class clown” status.  I’ll deal with that when I get those calls from school.  I’ll take some of the blame and make sure your teacher knows that you really are funny–I know as a teacher I shouldn’t encourage that. 

You have developed a profound interest in all things that have to do with balls–soccer, basketball, golf, baseball and you love your bat and golf clubs (which you often try and use as a bat).  You are such a boy.  We have spent quite a bit of time outside playing soccer.  It’s a lot of fun.  The other day when we were playing, we had been playing for about 20 minutes when you all of a sudden wowed me with what you have picked up verbally and have been able to apply to the right situation. You kicked the ball and shout “he shoots!”  the ball misses me and goes past me and you shout “he scores!” and run around in a circle with your arms in the air and then fall down to the ground.  I have never laughed so hard in my life.  It was the most surprising and one of the cutest things you have done and I have seen.  It was that kind of moment where I wished I could capture it on video–but sadly the memory of it will have to be written. 

I am amazed at how you have become able to pick up words and/or phrases that we use in one context and then apply them to another context.  I can recognize the intelligence that is lurking inside and works its way up to the surface as you get older.  I try not to be biased because your my kid, but you are pretty smart and my belief is often reinforced by the ladies at your school who tell me you are too smart for your own good.  It makes me proud. 

You are really starting to come into your own.  You are the popular kid at Mom’s Day Out.  I dropped you off one day last week and when you walked into the room all the boys yell “Noah” and about four of them run up to you and you all start wrestling.  It is pretty cute.  Then you all give high-fives when you leave.  It’s cute and I am pretty sure you are going to be the popular kid.  Again, not because you are my kid and biased, but because your personality is magnetic.  People are drawn to you and have always been since you were a baby.  There is something about your unassuming smile and the happiness you radiate.  You’re a special young boy who will grow up to be a special man.  I hope that I can give you the tools and the desire to do good with your gifts.  I hope that’s not too much pressure for you.  But the world needs people like you. 

I can’t believe how much you have changed and grown and how you continue to change and grow at such a rapid pace.  You are an amazing kid and the love you show us is undescribably awesome. 

I am so happy and blessed and honored to be your mother.

Love you,

Mommy