Happy Birthday Vincent!

Dear Vincent,

Two years ago today – at this very moment – we were introduced to you. We remember that night so vividly. You were a fast mover with an explosive entrance…and nothing has changed since. We can’t believe you only learned how to walk this past January. You haven’t stopped running since.

Raising you is challenging. You are filled with a ridiculous amount of energy. You are ferociously stubborn and a bit bossy when you want us to ‘do’ ‘do’ ‘do’ something. But you are uniquely you and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

You are a risk taker, a thrill seeker and a bit of a joker. You have a mischievous desire to entertain and you’ll tap dance on anything.

We love that you would rather run down pathways and explore wide open fields than play in the park. We love that you still enjoy being outside in nature more than anything else. We love that you love water so much…listening and watching the waves. We love that you enjoy long bike rides and searching for new adventures.

We love that you are conscientious. You are very concerned with order and tidiness and ensuring things end up where they belong.

We love that you are compassionate and caring. You are an amazing big brother, fighting back your own jealousy to make sure Myra is okay when she cries. Or reaching out from your car seat to hold her hand.

We love that you are demonstrative in your affection and that you wait until you feel passionately about something and then hug and kiss with all your might. You are so physical – you express yourself with your actions and your body and you have limited use for words. Yet there is no better feeling than when you look up at us with those huge brown eyes and your contagious grin and say “happy.”

You have taught us patience – waiting for you to count the stairs over and over. Watching you pick up every rock on the beach. Answering ‘what’s dat?’ a million times over.

You have taught us unconditional love – accepting a 3am wake up because you can’t sleep or your teeth hurt or you’re reaching another developmental milestone.

You have taught us the meaning of sheer terror. Watching you struggle to breathe when you had your first cold. Looking into your sad, helpless eyes when you caught the flu. Realizing you have no intention of stopping when you walk off the top of the tallest slides.

You are intense. Powerful. Challenging. Fun. Strange. And we wouldn’t change a thing.

Every day we are thankful for your health, your presence and your wisdom.

May you always wave at shadows and study trees. May you always find wonder in the smallest details. May you always be a protector with a generous spirit. May you always stride confidently into new situations and smile at strangers.

May you always remain passionately you, Vincent.

Happy 2nd Birthday.

Love Mummy & Mamma! (aka Daddy).