Oh Dear Gavin.....

You are a dancing fool and I love it. Storytime at the library is about listening, not dancing and showing off. I'm sure the parents had an amazing time watching your breakdance moves and didn't expect a performance, but they got one. You make me laugh when all of a sudden you'll say to me, such as you did at story time, "Mommy, I just gotta dance!" It's your happiness on the inside that makes you dance on the outside. Plus, it helps that you're an extremely talented athlete to do the types of moves you do. I gotta brag on you kiddo...never seen a toddler swing a golf club like you or play soccer like you do. What 2 year old can run 2 miles?! Music is in your genes and in your soul...Dance is...well, not quite in your genes, but apparently your Daddy has been teaching you some things when I am away at Market. You get down and boogie like no other kiddo I have seen!! You have been rocking out since you were an itty bitty thing. It makes us happy to see you so musically inclined, and also so kinesthetically aware. You get that from your daddy too. 

Right now is a magical age for you. You love animals and medical emergencies. You show up with a stethoscope and band aids even when they aren't needed. You say that you want to be a doctor, and then in the next breath you say you want to be a pig. You're convinced we have a farm in the backyard, and you like to have deep conversations about love. You love cake, carrots, milk, black cherry juice, organic food, chicken numnuts, people, Jesus, church, Turtleman, Bigfoot, Spiderman and you can repeat almost every line in the movie Garfield. I wish I could list everything you like!! You also like cash. In fact, if you have a dollar on you, you're convinced you can buy anything, but most of all you just like to have "cash." Grandpa BoBo must be rubbing off on you because he likes cash too :)

You're smart. You don't give up on a puzzle until it's done and when it's done, you can do it again in seconds. You have a way of observing that is just like your daddy, too. Eyes like a hawk. You're inquisitive and you like a real answer. I talk to you like an adult, and you get what I'm saying. I love your intelligence!!!
 
You still sleep with us, most of the time, which means we don't sleep a lot. But we do lot of cuddling. You like the same songs sang to you at bedtime every night and you tell me you want "nunuls" which means snuggles. Daddy and Mommy are your best friends, but then, so is Gracie and Papa, MawMaw and PawPaw, Joe, Jayden and Luke.

Right now little buddy, things are tough. You've had the flu, ear infections, you need tubes and possibly another surgery. Daddy's been sick, mommy is dealing with a chronic illness that has changed life drastically, and our life is not what we pictured it would be at this time in your life. You don't know the difference though. When you were born, we were on top of the world! "Things" may have crumbled underneath us, but you're still our world. You're still the most important person in our life and you always will be. You've taught us so much and continue to do so everyday. We're trying to protect you from what our reality is right now, and to lay a foundation for you that keeps you secure in who you are so that you grow up to be the best you that you can be.

You're stubborn, strong willed, and when you set your mind to something, we can't change it. We let you go with your flow. You have rules and boundaries to follow, but we also give you the opportunity to do what it is that has entered your mind. Your thoughts are your own and your imagination is incredible. So, sometimes, we just have to let you do your thing and figure it out on your own. When you do, and the lightbulb goes off in your brain, WOW, what a beautiful thing that is to see.

We love you forever and ever, to the moon and back........