Happy Birthday Vincent

Dear Vincent,

Wow these were the longest and shortest three years of our lives. Three years ago today, at this very second, we got to see your beautiful face for the very first time. This past year has been filled with so much growth and joy and we are thankful every day that you are our son.

Getting to know ‘talking Vincent’ has been a fascinating journey (and a little scary) and we are so grateful to know you. Now that you have words we are learning so much more about who you are and what you are thinking and feeling. And you know what? You are just as fun and strange as we always suspected.

You are a natural born entertainer. One of the most wonderful things this year has been seeing how much you enjoy performing -- tap dancing, piano playing, guitar playing -- it all comes so naturally to you. We’ve loved watching you ‘sing in the rain’ and ‘watch dance show’

We enjoy seeing how much you love Myra (even though you still address her as ‘baby’). You are such a a fierce protector of your family and would do anything to keep things in harmony. You have a natural ability to read people and are very in tune with others’ feelings. You feel hurtful words as pain and it breaks our heart to see you try to play with other kids who don’t reciprocate your joy.

You have helped us in so many ways. You always manage to lighten our mood. And you take care of us in the most precious, loving way; holding our hand or confirming ‘you okay?” You even sing us lullabies when you think we need calming.

You are so polite and helpful…a favourite phrase is ‘thank you so much’ and are always contributing to the family and wanting to do your part (while singing your ‘teamwork’ song…so very cute). You love building things with your daddy…helping hammer anything, build chairs, or carry bags in from the car.

You love visits with your family so much. Not a day goes by that we don’t hear ‘ I want Grandma' (or Pere or Auntie Lindsay etc). 'No, I NEED Grandma.'

You still are not an easy child. You feel everything so passionately…you are either very HAPPY or very SAD. There is no middle ground with you. And you still are a little dictator. But now your ‘do do do’ has changed to be more specific, like ‘you go in the bath’ or ‘you go to the library’. One thing is for sure -- there’s never any mistaking what you want.

Vincent, you are so very you. There has never been anyone like you and never will be again. How lucky we are that you chose us as parents. Happy 3rd birthday…we look forward to many more adventures with you in the years to come.