Dear Nicholas, (Nicholas is Three)

I have so much to catch up on this blog! But, first things first. My baby boy turned THREE...

Dear Nicholas,

            Oh! My sweet, sweet baby! How is it even possible that you are now three? You have officially passed through the baby and toddler stage and are now a "big boy". The other day I called you my "sweet baby" and you said "I'm not a sweet baby, I'm a big boy!". That you are. But, sorry buddy..you'll always be my baby.

       Where to begin? You reached a lot of milestones between two and three. You are potty trained..even at night. No more diapers for the Barnett house! You are in a big boy bed. You started a little "school" program - 1 day a week for 2 hours while I go to my Bible study. You can almost count to 20, can say most of your ABCs, recognize many letters and a few numbers and all your colors. You carry on a conversation like a 5 year old...I could go on and on :)
          You are very extroverted..so different from your big brothers. You thrive off and love being around people! You won't even play for 5 or 10 minutes by yourself because you always want someone to play with you! You are such an entertainer...you love to make silly faces, dance around and act crazy just to get a laugh. It's going to be interesting when you start "big school"...haha..
           You are still very much a mama's boy. And, I love it. You want me around 24/7. Your poor Dad..you won't even let him put you to bed if I'm at home. I know that will change in time though. And every night at bedtime after we read stories and do songs you say "I want you to snuggle me". And I do. It's the best. I love how you wrap your arms around my neck and snuggle your face to mine. It's the sweetest and I savor it..because I know it won't last forever.
            You still adore your brothers and love it when they play with you. The other day Noah put you down for a nap. He read stories and sang songs and snuggled you in your bed. But, then you got silly and I had to go in there and help. It was still sweet though. Noah is so sweet to show affection to you..even in public. The other day we ate lunch with Noah and he was so sweet, patting you and snuffling your face. He even gave you his ice cream. Bless it. You and Nate Nate play well together..when Noah isn't around. If Noah is home, Nathanael usually only wants to play with him and it seems like he gets aggravated with you easily. But, when it's just you and Nate, you're like 2 peas in a pod :).
              You love to play outside..jumping on the trampoline, swinging and tee ball and some of your favorite things to do. You love to play toys! Super heroes, tractors and trucks and blocks are some of your favorites. You also enjoy books a lot and love for me to read to you!
            You had a great 3rd birthday party! Your actual birthday (the 19th) was on Sunday, but we had your party on Saturday. We had family and a couple of close friends over, but it ended up being quite a houseful (for our little house). Grandmama, Granddaddy, Uncle Frank, Aunt Allyson, Grammy, PaPa, cousins Addie and Grant, cousins Colin, Tiffany and Charlotte and Henry, "Aunt" Ashley and Matthew, and your good buddy Reese (who is 3 too) and his brother Emmanuel, sister Moriah Grace and Mom Carmen :) Not to mention me, your Dad and your brothers! What a crew! You had a vehicle cake with a truck and car and airplane. Courtesy and Publix. It was really cute. We also some snacks- goldfish, chips and salsa and spinach artichoke dip. You loved it when every one sang happy birthday to you and sang right a long with them :) You enjoyed opening all your presents and loved everything! It was like Christmas! All the kids had fun playing together and some would go outside and jump on the trampoline because it wasn't too terribly cold. It was a great time had by all.
Here are a few pics from the party:

with cousin Addie

PaPa!

Birthday Cake time!

Brother is excited too!

Sweet Henry

Colin, Henry, Granddaddy and PaPa

cousin table :)

Nicholas eating with buddy Reese, Emmanuel and Moriah Grace

present time!

Sunday (your actual birthday) your Bible school teachers both gave you cards with money in them. And your teacher had a special nutella snack for you. Our song leader, Mr. Steve sang happy birthday to you and you got to pick where we had lunch (Red Robin)..yum..:). You had a great birthday!!

Nicholas Charles, we love you so much!! You are so much fun and bring so much joy and laughter to our family. There is never a dull moment when you're around. You are a blessing and we thank God for you! I can't wait to see what this next year brings for you. 

Love, 

Mom