Look who's a year older!

4 years ago my life was out of control scary. There were so many unknowns surrounding William's birth I was going a bit crazy. I know all births are full of unknowns, but William's were all rather frightening. It's been long enough now that I can almost say it wasn't really all that bad, but I still get filled with feelings of anxiety whenever I ponder on the details too much. The part that still makes me sad though is missing my last baby's birth. Neither mommy or daddy were there for that first cry. I didn't fully see him until he was over 24hrs old and even then I was so loopy, tired, and hurting it was hard to enjoy him.  But.... it was totally worth it and I would do it all again if it were to give me my little monkey.

I am absolutely certain that he is the cutest four year old in the whole world. So, I am sorry if you thought you had the cutest four year old... because you're wrong. (I just might be slightly biased though.) He has the sweetest little voice and says the funniest things in the funniest ways. We all adore him and I'm sure he is getting a little too spoiled. I know my other chickabidees weren't this doted on, but that's just what happens with the baby.

Some of his accomplishments this last year...

• becoming fully potty trained!
• Learning to recognize his name and he's so close to writing it all by himself!
• learning many of the letters and sounds 
• counting to 20 (most days anyway)
• finally getting dressed by himself
• becoming extremely talkative....to anyone who will listen!

He still likes to have help when it's his turn for prayer. We have been encouraging him to try to say it by himself and every time he tells us, "I'm only free years old, guys." Maybe now that he's four he'll give it a whirl!

We love him very much and can't wait to see what new things he will learn and do this year!