My big boy

Dear Grady.

I can't believe you are 4! You've grown up in the blink of an eye. You are such a character, and I don't think I could have ever forseen how much joy you would bring to our lives. I love all the funny little things about you, and there are lots of funny things about you. There's also sweet things and, well, strange things. That comes with every four year old boy though. I love how you've become cuddly in the past few months. You were never a big cuddle bug as a baby, and I am trying to remember to cherish it every time you nearly knock me over with a running-leap-hug. I know all too soon you won't want to hug me so much any more, if only out of sheer embarrassment.
It's hard not to giggle when you go from laughing


to pouting in the blink of an eye.


You've always been so intense. If you're up you're up, and if you're down, you are waaaaaay down. You're also a master negotiator. Your daddy and I always joke that you'll either be a very famous politician or a very successful used car salesman. Our favorite thing you've said recently was "ok, I understand the words you're telling me. I just don't like what you're saying" when we asked you for the 14th time to go to bed. Although, I think you'd prefer to be a break dancer. Which I secretly love.



You're also so so animated. You've got all these faces that you think are hilarious to make. My favorite is the one you've been throwing me when I try to take your picture since you were about 18 months old. You know the one....



Yep. That's it. (Eat your hearts out girls)

There's so much that I could say about you. I love your little stutter, and it hurts me to think that mean kids have made fun of you for it. If they knew how smart you were they would hold their tongues.I love the way you still can't quite say your "L"'s, and how you love to wear "fwip-fwops", just like mommy.




I love how your booty looks so cute in jeans, just like Daddy's. I hope when you're older you realize what a gift that is. Or, maybe for the sanity of your future spouse, I hope you don't! ;)



And I love how you laughed like crazy when I told you to lift up your shirt in the middle of Ybor City so I could take a picture of your "cutie booty". I can still hear it, and it makes me grin.

I love love love how you already adore your friends. With reckless abandon. I am not sure their mommies love how you kiss them on the lips, but we're working on the whole "personal bubble" concept.



However, if you want to keep kissing this little sweetie on the lips, and maybe, say, 20 years from now get married and then have a little rediculously cute grandbaby for me to lavish gifts on I won't complain. And no, her mommy and I have not discussed this. Why would you think that?!



You're such a great big brother, and it makes me proud every day to see you cheer Fin on as he learns new things. I am so glad you love each other so very much. I can't believe you're only a year away from kindergarten. I know you'll do well in school. Sometimes I wish I could slow down time, but then I think I don't want to, because I love the little person you are, and watching you learn, grow and change every day. Whatever you do, don't ever stop being you.