Happy Birfday tomorrow Cole! Hitting the big 3!

Very monumental time in prolly every one elses lives, but for you, you just have to learn to hold up one more finger when asked your age which seems to difficult at this time for you because you seem stuck on the number 2.

To the outgoing, spunky, energetic, smily, cuddly, inquisitive baby boy.

To the boy who still insists he's not a baby and has upgraded from a "toddler" to a "preschooler". Not sure where you get that idea since you dont really go to "preschool", you go to a day care where someone can babysit you while your mother thinks sane thoughts for a hours and maybe even has some adult conversations without you, esp during tax season.

To the boy who has taken confrontation up as a hobby and can spend hours saying the opposite of his brother or mother just..because. I wish there was a confrontation toy out there that says the opposite of what the child says just to entertain some kids in this world for hours. They have singing bears and tickle elmos and freaky talking furbys, why can't they have some person/animal say "yes" when someone says "no" to it and vice versa? I'm looking for a "Nuh uh" verses "Uh huh" toy for you for your birthday.

To the boy who misses his daddy as he is away at bootcamp where a mere mention of the word "daddy" causes, yet, another confrontation beginning with "MY DADDY, not yours!"

To the boy who mainly eats corndogs and chicken nuggets and anything that someone else has, as long as its not given to you, you are usually willing to try/steal it.

To the boy who takes up confrontation a lil' too much that he misses out on some good stuff in which makes me laugh. I babysat you once (yeah, just once, pff!) and you spent a fair amount of that time sitting in the window waiting for yer Mum to come back. (You weren't so attached to yer Mum til yer Dad left, normally you really liked me I'm sure of it) You came down every once in awhile for food, watch some of the movie I was watching, or find a toy. A few seconds after you left the window yer Mum pulled in and I said "You should go look at the window now" and you jumped at the opportunity to argue with someone and said no defiantly and insisted on playing with a certain toy. So I said it again with more urgency this time and it finally clicked and yer eyes just lite up and you ran over to see yer Mum coming up the sidewalk. You seemed so surprised with your eyes popped out like that and then your mouth dropping and a hand coming up to cover it. You thought it'd never happen. I'm glad you didn't miss that opportunity, mainly for my sake of course.

To the boy who is so excited about his daycare/preschool time and feels like a big boy in doing so. Speaking of big boy, you seem to be more enthused about going potty on the toilet now, and when I say "on" I mean you actually peeing on the toilet and sometimes getting it in the bowl. And of course, like every other 2 yr old you milk the whole "get a treat for peeing on the potty" for all its worth.

To the boy who still looks so cute when he cries in which I try really hard not to laugh. To the boy who doesn't appreciate being captured by blind cousins (Brent) in a bear hug and is legitimately scared in such situations. (that was kinda funny tho... the fear in your eyes)

To the boy who looks more than 4 years apart from his gigantic sized brother, but still manages to make him cry on a regular basis.

I love you baby Cole! Oh don't worry, once you totally and completely leave the 'cute' stage of life, I will stop calling you baby. I think.

Man, I'm gonna miss those moments when you move to Cali for a year or so to be with yer Dad while he's in training. I'm glad I got to be a part of the mere two years of your life, you may not appreciate it or even remember, but those two years were some of the best I've had. I've loved spoiling you and hearing your imitations.

And just like all my other nephews I get to know you and spend some personal time/years with you and then you or I end up leaving and there is a gap created wherein you kids forget the time we had together and I'm left with all the memories....and seemingly become a stranger to you. *sigh* It happened with Scott, it looks like it will happen with you, but Braxton is the longest I've been able to keep in touch with a nephew. It seems I see these kids' births and they disappear and if I don't see their birth I can keep in touch longer. hah I dunno. Sadness.

Well, enough of that babbling. Cole, you must know that I love you. You just must. And I want you to know that I will always love you. No matter where you are in the world with your traveling father in the National Guard, I will be here for you whenever you need me. I will jump on the next plane to any other state or country even if you ever need me. You are capable of anything my dear if you don't believe the fears and/or gain the anxiety that your mother and brother will attempt to pass off to you. And with your future travels I believe opportunities will arise for you that you may not otherwise get if you stayed in this state. You seem to be a rock in your family and you need to stay strong for them. You play an important role in your family, dont you forget that. You are special. You may be the youngest, but you are more, you can be the one help keep your family together and stay courageous. You see things in a different light and you need to share it with others. Yer one of those kids with "potential" written all over them. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise.

I love you always and forevers. Please don't ever forget me baby. I'll never forget you.

So, in conclusion, as I said to you on my way out your door once upon a time...

"Bye baby"

in which you replied without skipping a beat, "Bye baby".