My little boy isn't so little anymore! Chase turns five.

Wow! Hard to think back 5 years ago and remember you being so tiny you fit in the folds of my arms.  

First time I held you - a little after 5:13 AM

Now you are so big, you don't want to be held by anyone, even for pictures!

This past year will be marked for me by a few key moments - your first playdates with friends from school, both at our house and at theirs; you becoming an amazing and protective big brother and making sure your brothers weren't sad; learning to whistle; learning to swing by yourself.

You have become such an amazing young boy and I am so proud of you. I am told constantly how wonderful you are, how loving you are and how much other Moms enjoy having you over to play with their sons. All of those words make me proud of you but I think my heart swells the most when I watch you just being yourself. When you are so focused on something that I am afraid you are going to bite off your tongue or when you are laughing when no one else is around because something makes you laugh. You love to make people laugh, especially your brothers! Man, when you get them laughing, there is no stopping you! No, seriously, I can't even stop you.

Your Dad and I were watching some old videos of you the other night and I was struck by how grown up you look now and how much more grown up you sound when you speak. You are strong and independent yet innocent and needy in the same breath.

When I think back to how much you have changed, I seem to look at all the things you can do now. You are so excited that you can whistle (not too sure I am happy about that since you are now loud enough to get the dog's attention) and that you can swing without being pushed. These little steps toward independence make me sad to see you grow up but proud to see how well you are handling them.

I can't wait to see what the next year has in store and want you to know that you will always be my number one boy!

I will love you for always and ever,
Mom