Happy Birthday Little Monkey

Our baby (at least until April) is turning 3 this Saturday. I just can't get over how big and grown up he has gotten the past several weeks. He has undergone that transformation from little boy to big boy in a matter of a couple of months. I find myself watching him in amazement quite often lately. I don't know if it is because this transformation was so sudden (unlike the gradual change in big monkey at that age) or if it is partly because I am going to be having another baby soon and it seems so foreign to me. Big monkey was booted from baby position very quickly as little monkey made his surprise/blessed appearance in our lives while big monkey was still a baby. He has held onto the baby position in our family for 3 years on Saturday. He is so excited about being 3 and having a party and I am so excited for him.

Little monkey was my very large monkey from the beginning! He was 8 lbs 13 oz at birth (nearly 2 lbs bigger than his big brother was at birth) and is the same size as his big brother now. He was an amazing baby from the start. So easy. He was happiest when being nursed, and he did this quite often and very well! He had gained several ounces (without losing any) before we left the hospital! I had no stress while nursing him (for nearly a year and a half) and found out how wonderfully peaceful and beautiful breastfeeding is. We found out that his blood type is completely different from mine, causing jaundice, but he was fine after a few nights on the lamps.

Little monkey is a mommy's boy. He loves to be near me if I am around and I love to have him near. He has always been easy to make smile and is the most ticklish person I have ever met. He can even tickle his own feet! He is a daredevil in his own right and is always trying to do what his big brother is doing. He took a lot longer to walk and to talk than big monkey. He has always been happy to just be who he is at the moment and not stress over getting to the next milestone.
Just lately, he has started talking everyone's ears off. It is wonderful to listen to him have conversations with others, after being concerned for so long about him not talking much. Little monkey is pretty laid back, like his daddy. But boy does he have a temper. He is not shy about letting you know he is mad at you and guilt has never worked on this child. I foresee many power struggles with him in the future.

Little monkey has taught me so much. I really believe that if he had not come along so soon after big monkey, I would not have enjoyed parenthood as much as I have so far. I am type A, little monkey is type B. He makes me more mellow and that is something I can always use help with. I did not know how in the world I would bond with another baby so soon after the first one. He made that easy for me. He makes me smile constantly and at the same time drives me crazy with his constantly being underfoot. He is less open with his emotions, and makes me feel incredibly special when he randomly tells me he loves me.

Little monkey has a thing for boobies and pooting. This can be funny and it can be embarrassing - like in church when he flashes my boobies or when he runs over to me just to make me feel special by pooting on me! He is all boy and I am sure is full of surprises in the future. He is so excited to be a big brother, after being quite apprehensive when we first told him. He has been eating his vegetables so he can stay strong to protect his new brother when he is born.

So happy birthday Little Monkey. Mommy loves you and you will always be my baby!