Ellery turns four

I’m closing in on 40, but that seems nowhere near as monumental a milestone as this one. Today you turned four, and with that big, solid number, we’ve closed the door on our baby years. We’re a family that has three KIDS. While I love that we’re here, I do feel the inevitable tug of sentimentality.

But in those four years you have done amazing things. I remember early on thinking that you were an old soul, and good grief, that has proven true. You know exactly who you are and what you need, and you’re more than happy to let the rest of us know.

Without me even asking, you informed me that for your birthday you would like a cinnamon cake with strawberries (the fruit) and Strawberry Shortcake (the character). This seemed such a strange flavor combination to me that I warned everyone as I served cake that it might not jive. But you know what? It was really good. I should have trusted that you’d call a winner.

You had school today, and then we went out to lunch. You insisted we sit on the same side of the booth. We ordered a side of black olives, and you ate every one. You punctuate nearly every sentence with, “Well, actually…” I was so enjoying your expressions as you talked that I took out my camera and snapped a few, just to capture how you are in this slice of time.

After lunch we went to get some party supplies, but on the way home you fell asleep. This is unlike you these days, as it’s been ages since you’ve taken a nap. You slept through the pick-up at school and our arrival home.

After I got Neko and Shep settled, I finally just sat down with you, and let you sleep on my chest, right in the spot where I sat for so many hours when we brought you home from the hospital. I really should have been fixing dinner, but instead we sat together. You slept and I watched you. For nearly an hour I sat there, and I took in every moment.

Those moments? I am grateful for every one.

Happy birthday, baby.