To: Oliver Love: Mommy

Dear Oliver,

Every year on your birthday, I take over your blog to write you a note. This year, you turned four years old. Four years! It is so hard to believe how much time has passed. The day you were born was one of the most exciting days of my life. We were so excited for you to make your arrival into our family. You were so loved by so many from the day you were born. Your grandparents, aunts and uncles and so many of our friends were excited to meet you. Despite this picture below (taken on your birthday), you did not spend much time sleeping during your first year. You really wanted to be awake and observing everything around you. You were incredibly set in your ways and seemed to know exactly what you wanted from a very early age. Your first year was filled with many memorable moments, including your first airplane ride to Florida for Uncle Mike and Aunt Carolyn's wedding, your first Thanksgiving where you decided to eat mashed potatoes and squash at four months old, your first Christmas, your first words, your first steps and the first time you met some of the most important people in your life- your grandparents, great grandparents, Godparents, Aunts and Uncles and cousins. One of my very favorite things about you was your laugh. You had the most contagious laugh and I remember being down at the Cape when you were four months old and I was hiding behind a wall and popping out of it and you just started laughing hysterically. You loved to be entertained.

By your first birthday, your personality was clearly defined. You were still very silly, curious, energetic and you loved to explore (translation: tear our house apart)! You were very bright and had the sweetest smile. You were walking, talking and had gotten your first haircut. You still did not love to go to sleep at night. Often I would have to rock you and sing "Father we thank you" over and over again. And then I would tell you stories. I made up some of the craziest stories and eventually you'd fall asleep. By this point you were sleeping through the night and were a restful sleeper.

Your second year was awesome! Your sister Adelaide was born, you loved spending time in Maine and Cape Cod. You started to learn your letters and knew how to count and knew the alphabet. You loved puzzles and enjoyed doing activities that required concentration. You had funny names for people, including calling Uncle Mike and Aunt Carolyn "the Bikes." They weren't individuals, they were one unit who you would refer to at "The Bikes." It cracked me up. You had a hard time saying Grammi but once you got her name down, you loved to say it...over and over and over again! You just really continued to capture my heart. The love I feel for you has only continued to grow. I remember looking at you the day you were born and wondering how I could ever love you more than that first moment when I saw you. Well, I was certainly wrong! I love you more and more with every year that passes.

Your third year was really fun because Adelaide was old enough to walk and started talking, so we really had lots of adventures together. We discovered our love of painting, making different crafts and baking...especially cupcakes!!! You learned how to write your name. I will say that probably one of the most frustrating parts of this year was trying to get you to use the potty. Because you are such a strong, confident individual, you knew what you wanted this year when you wanted it. You refused to be naked or wear underwear from the time you were 2 1/2 until you were almost three. But, the day DID come where you decided you were ready to use the potty. You also discovered words that you should not be saying which I will not repeat here, but you thought it amusing to use those words over and over and over again. You had many sleepovers with Grammi and Dzia Dzia and Nonna and Papa. You kept us continually entertained.

The year leading up to your fourth birthday was probably one of the funnest years I've ever had in my entire life. I think you grew so much this year. You went to preschool on your own, made some new friends, had lots of great adventures. But, really, when I think about the past year I realize that you are truly becoming a little man. You ask me questions- real questions that are deep and provoking. You have an unbelievable memory. Just a few weeks ago we went to Bradley Palmer and you asked me about the road we were on. You told me that we had been there before when we went running in the double stroller. I don't think we've done that since last fall and you remembered. You also remembered going to the movies with me when you were two. You randomly brought it up and I couldn't believe that you remembered! You love your people. REALLY love them. You ask me on a daily basis what everyone you are related to is doing. You like to pick on your sister. I'll just be honest with that one. Because it's true. You do. Someday you'll be her protector but for now you like to give her a hard time.
You get SO incredibly excited about daily events. Every day you ask me what we are doing the next day and the day after and the day after. You like to have things to look forward to. You also love spending the night away from home. You happily go on your adventures. I am so proud of you and love you so much. It's amazing how much joy you have brought me these past few years.

Love, Mommy