Dear Barrett,
Happy Birthday! My first baby has turned into a 9 year old. I think Annabelle has told you “Happy
birthday” at least 100 times already. You
may be 9, but you’ll always be my baby.
I am so proud of the person you are becoming. Each year these letters get harder to write
emotionally because it is simultaneously wonderful and sad to watch your baby
grow up. Wonderful to see the
incredible, one-of-a-kind person being shaped and formed by his experiences and
mistakes and successes; sad because the last phase is over, and even though it
was hard at times, the last phase was a blessing that was beautiful and
transformative. And I will miss it
because I love you so much in every stage.
I’m going to try to just be grateful for each day and the joys and
challenges it brings.
You blow me away with your generosity. You are sweet, smart, and sensitive with a
memory like a steel trap! You are my cuddly “bear.” You sometimes worry about stuff which makes
us worry…hmm, wonder where you got that trait from. We are always here to listen to any of your
concerns and worries. You don’t need to
worry alone and we might even be able to help...at
the very least we would empathize. Perfectionism
is a cruel trick that your mind sometimes plays on you. I want you to know that no one expects you to
be perfect or “THE best” (that’s impossible), we just want you to do YOUR
best. That’s all. Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing
is that we learn from our
mistakes. You are more than good enough
right now, just the way you are, flaws and all.
You don’t have to earn our love. You have it and it’s not going
anywhere.
You are very hard-working and responsible and I know I can
count on you to do your chores, keep track of your wallet, get dressed in the mornings
and out the door on time, and you always put your seat belt on. You do all of those things without me having
to remind you. That’s being responsible. That lets me know I can trust you with more
freedom. The other day, I almost forgot
to take you to an appointment, but you remembered. What would I do without you? I’d probably be
making U-turns, running late, and rescheduling a lot of appointments! You are
fun and silly, a little bit mischievous, and love to be tickled. You like HGTV, which is awesome because I do
too! We enjoy watching Love It or List It
together and trying to guess which one they will choose. I love spending time with you just watching
TV or talking about stuff before I kiss you goodnight. I love watching you play baseball and
basketball and learning how to be a part of a team.
I especially love watching you interact with your siblings
(most of the time.) You are an amazing
big brother who always happens to have money and you are even willing to
share. Yesterday we went to the Perot
Museum where you gave Kyle (who is still learning to work for and save money)
enough money to buy something at the gift shop.
And before that, you gave Annabelle a toy you got from the arcade with
your tickets. She is in a stage where
she wants everything she sees…at least everything pink that she sees. And if I
didn’t stop you, I think you’d buy it ALL for her. That is so sweet and loving and
generous. I know it brings you joy to
see others happy which is a great quality.
This summer in the fort, you and Kyle and Annabelle are learning how to
balance your own needs and wants with the needs and wants of others. You are learning that while you might
completely get your way, you actually end up NOT having fun because the others
are not happy. It’s really more fun when
everyone gets at least some of what they want and everyone is happy together.
I love your laugh, your smile, and your kind heart. I love your strength and vulnerability, your
playful side and your serious side. I
love that you are a saver and a giver, and that you know what you want but
sometimes let others have what they want too.
I love that you go around the house singing…even it it’s songs that make
me crazy (Gangnam Style…still?). I love
that you are mature and responsible but you still play with your younger
siblings. I love you…YOU…just the way
you are.
You made me a mommy 9 years ago today have shown me that my
heart is capable of more love than I ever imagined possible. I am so lucky to be your mommy. I love you more than words can express.
Love,
Mommy
A glimpse of you right now at age 9:
Favorite songs: Ho Hey, Gangnam Style
Favorite Movie: The Lego Movie
Favorite food: Steak, chicken nuggets, strawberries
Favorite game: Minecraft
Other faves: baseball cards, lemonade, hide and seek, Sock
It, potty humor
Bailey waking you up on your birthday
Riding the saddle with napkin lassos at dinner celebrating your birthday.
Your Birthday Missions:
1. Wear a sign saying "it's my birthday" all day.
2. Have a hula hoop contest
3. Speak in a accent all day
(You spoke in a accent but it fluctuated between Italian, Spanish, Indian, and British.)
You completed all of these and turned into a 9 year old!
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