Happy Birthday Nathan Alexander!

Dear Nate,

You think you turned three a few days ago, but today is your actual birthday and I remember the day well. Christian was only four months old and we flew to Massachusetts so we could be there when you were born. It was going to be my job to take care of your sisters when Mommy went to the hospital with you. I will never forget the stress of getting Emma (4), Abby(2) and Christian(4 months) all buckled into the car to go to the hospital to see you. Then they were servicing the elevators when we got there, so the whole thing was quite complicated. I was so exhausted by the time we left the hospital that I went through the drive thru at McDonalds in order to feed everyone dinner. Little did I know that three years later taking three kids somewhere wouldn't be a big deal at all!!

(Emma holding Nate at the hospital for the first time!)

I was so excited for you to arrive and thrilled that you were a boy. Christian was four months old, your cousin Adam had just been born in August and you were going to complete the trio of boy cousins. I was so excited that you guys were going to be close in age so you could be friends.

(Christian, Adam and Nathan)

Little did I know that on the day of your birth God gave us an amazing gift. Not just a son for your parents and a little brother for your sisters, but a best friend for my little boy, a snuggler for me (Christian is NOT one), a protector for McKenna, a "helper boy" as you like to call yourself and an example of perseverance and strength for all of us. You have been through more transition and change in your short three years than most of us have been through in a lifetime and I have watched your fear turn into determined strength. You go from Mommy's house, to daddy's house, to daycare, to PopPop & Grandmom's house, to Aunt Judy's house, without batting an eye. You have learned to adapt and you have grown up soooo much in the last year. A year ago you were quite attached to your binkie, you still slept in a crib, you barely talked, you cried a good bit and you wanted to be held ALL the time. Most days, even with my huge pregnant belly, I would rock you to sleep for your nap because you needed that one on one time to feel secure and loved. You've come so far in this past year and I couldn't be prouder of you!

I also just have to tell you how immensely loved you are. Seriously, everyone who is in your life absolutely adores you. Your big brown eyes seem to melt everyone you meet. I've seen your teachers at school love all over you and Uncle Ryan actually loves it when you sit on his lap and pull his ear. I know that Grandmom and PopPop miss you terribly when they're not with you and they love the special times they do have with you. I've must say that you are Emma's favorite. She thinks McKenna is cute. Abby and Christian frustrate her most days, but you are her boy! She will give you anything and she'll do anything to make you happy. You guys never fight! It's almost ridiculous :) You crawl in bed with your mommy in the middle of the night quite often and she acts like it annoys her but to tell you the truth I think she secretly loves it. I just haven't seen her trying all that hard to get you to stop (just my own observation on the matter :) I know that your daddy is so excited that he lives closer to you now so that he can see you more. And my life just wouldn't be complete without you in it! Right now you and Christian are playing downstairs, still in your pjs at 12:30pm. You're building forts with the couch cushions and making a complete mess of things. Oh, what would I do without you? In other words you are adored as the priceless gift of God that you are!

(Christian sharing his exersaucer with you!)

(Christian and Nathan hanging out at Grandmom and PopPop's house)(Christian has put you through a lot from the beginning, but you're a tough little guy because of it and I can see a great friendship in the making.)


( You have always been so special to Uncle Ry and I!)

(You and Christian getting squirted with the hose this summer.)

(You were so excited to hold McKenna for the first time. And boy oh boy does she love you. You're always very gentle with her. I've always been able to trust you around her. And you're always very concerned and quick to report when she's crying.)

Happy Birthday Nathan!

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

"And now thus says the Lord, your creator, and He who formed you, 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One, your Savior." Isaiah 43:1-3