You are quickly approaching three, so quickly that I know on September 12, I will wake up and wonder again where the last year has gone. I no longer track the course of the year by how quickly Christmas arrives. Your birthday has become my new time flying barometer.
So, I've been lax with posting over the past few months, and while I wish I had a good reason, I'm afraid I just caught a case of the lazies. That, and my Facebook addiction. I've taken the odd photo here and there, but somehow just couldn't summon the words to put together a real post. Blogster's block, I suppose.
This is not to say that I haven't had plenty of content, because after we returned from California in April, it is not as if life has slowed by any measure. If anything, this summer has been one of our busiest since you joined our family. We've had weddings, baby showers, date nights (because I finally found a local babysitter!), weekends away, all the while enjoying the amazing experience of watching things through your eyes while you grow. 
The big news lately in our house is that you're going to be a big brother, and this is something I truly believe pleases you. For a few weeks you were convinced we were having a girl (a sister, or "Ci-Ci") and you wanted us to name her Suzie. You've recently shifted your position on this, last night telling me that the baby in my belly was a brother. I'm excited and yet completely scared about the impending arrival (in March) of our baby. Somehow I know we'll figure it out, however it's been quite lovely living as our little family of three these almost three years.
Rather than try to recap the last four months worth of life, I'll provide a quick summary of my favorite things you're up to these days...quick being a somewhat subjective assessment.
You tell stories...yes. Stories. With characters, real and sometimes imagined. With plots. With present and past tense. You are developing into a vivid little imaginer, and I feel so lucky when I catch you in a moment when you're willing to share. The drive home the other night provided a new favorite:
Alex: Tomorrow, I am going to meetings and you can go to school.
Me: Oh?
Alex: Yes. I will get in a plane and fly, and then drive a car to my meeting.
Me: What kind of car?
Alex: A BMW...a little one...no, a BIG one. I am having a meeting with Seb, and Hal and Mr. Kelly. They are my work friends
(Seb, Hal and Kelly are actual people who work with Skip)
Me: What will I get to do at school?
Alex: Play with my school friends.
You are gifted with remembering song lyrics...from Imagination Movers to (somewhat embarrassed to say this) Lady Gaga. I think you get this from me and I love when we're in the car on our way to somewhere, and I hear your little voice chiming in from the backseat. And, it's a good little voice too! I see school choir in your future.
You are obsessed with baseball, soccer and golf, and if given the opportunity I think you would play each sport several times daily. You seem to have some skill and talent in these areas as well, which you certainly did not inherit from me, and it makes me happy that some of your father's self is coming out in you.
You are a sweet, loving, warm and caring little person. I got really sick this week after you brought home another stomach bug. This one really floored me (so much so, that I called my mother to my rescue yesterday morning since Skip was away and I was incapacitated). At one point before she arrived yesterday, I was busy throwing up in the bathroom and you rushed in worried and scared. When I asked you to go back into Mommy and Daddy's room, you flatly refused, but told me you would stand in the doorway, which you did until I finished. Last night when Skip was getting you ready for bed, you came over to me on the sofa, gave me hugs (no kisses) and patted my arm, asking me if I was feeling better. Your gentle way of caring about other people warms my heart, buddy and I can't wait for the day when you get to meet your little brother or sister! I know it will only be a matter of time before the sibling rivalry kicks in, but the joys that in watching you adjust so well to your life so far make me pretty confident that we're in for a fun ride.
I love you,
Mommy
