Babies and Bulldogs: Happy Birthday Oliver v 3.0

Dear Oliver,

Three years ago at this very moment you made your Dad and I in to a family. I can’t believe it's been three years already because it seems like yesterday that we brought you home. Seeing how you’ve changed and grown, it’s very obvious you’re not a baby anymore. You are an active, smart, and beautiful little boy. Truth be told, you are also infuriating, exhausting and frustrating. You’ve been making the most of the terrible twos which is exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. Add being two to that healthy dose of smart ass you got from your father and I'm sure you can’t always help yourself. You do make me crazy but then you say something hilarious and the love affair begins again.

Your personality is really developing and we are starting to see the person you are going to be. You have always been laid back and easy going and we are starting to see that trait in new ways. When we go for a walk we’d better not be in a hurry. You don't go anywhere quickly. You never walk in a straight line preferring to wind and weave and explore every rock and stick. You are so friendly that you have to stop to talk to everyone and you will repeat your greeting until they return your hellos. There is not a shy bone in your body and you certainly march to the beat of your own drum.

If I had to choose one word to describe you right now it would easily be Fearless. You jump in with both feet and it doesn’t take much convincing to get you to try anything new. In Florida you went on all the rides by yourself and asked to go again. At the beach you ran in to the water without hesitation. When you fell under, you popped up and said ‘I’m ok’ and was happily playing again before I could get up off the blanket to rescue you. This past year when you spent the summer with Erik, you were most often the ring leader even though he is a year older than you. As much as I love this side of you I can see that it will also be the thing that will scare me as you get older.

The second word I'd use for you is silly. You honk at me for no reason, you do little dances, and you say the most funny things. My favorite quote of the year came when you were going pee in the potty for the first time. You got up on the stool in front of the toilet and said:

COME ONE PENIS, LET'S - GET - PEEING!

Other memorable ones are:

-Jump and Squish

-My poo is enormous! Most enormous ever seen!!

-The pee is coming! The pee is coming!

-Good morning Isaac, did you have a good nap? -Every morning.

-On watching Erik pee in the potty: ‘It’s working!!! It’s working!!!’

-Oh Mommy, I love you sooooo much.

Things to know about yourself:

-I say it every year but you still give fantastic hugs.

-Driving is your favorite thing to do this year. At Disney you would have rather sat in the car and pretended you were driving it than go in and see Mickey Mouse.

-You seem to come up with names for all the different vehicles in your life. The RCMP trucks are the Silver Truck, JP’s Truck and the Other Truck. There was the Silver car (a rental that you talked about for months) and the Flag Car (another rental)

-Your favorite show is Toupy and Binoo

-Your favorite toy is Play-doh

-Your favorite food is Peanut Butter and Jam sandwiches

So here’s to you on your birthday little man. We love you so much and are so happy you are in our lives.

I love you

Akuluk

Sweet dreams

Nighty Night

See you in the morning

Have a good nap

Sleep tight

Don’t let the bugs bite