I sat down this morning to find a baby photo of yours to share in celebration of you turning three today. I certainly was not expecting the overwhelming emotions I felt looking through all of the photos of your beautiful sweet face. Evan Carmelo, you are the last piece to our puzzle. You have connected your brother and sister to truly feel like family. You have brought so much laughter and joy into all our lives. While it may be our job as parents to raise you and teach you new things, you have taught us so much more.
You have taught us to appreciate the little things, with the excitement you express when daddy lays on the floor with you to play cars.
You have taught us patience when you want to do something yourself, even though we know we can do it faster.
You have shown us how to love so unconditionally when the first thing you want to do after having a “time out” is to give us a hug.
You have shown us kindness and generosity when you share a snack or toy without being prompted to do so, and you expect nothing in return.
You have shown us how to let go and just be silly with your beautiful imagination.
When we chose your name, we knew we needed something special in there. “Carmelo” was given to you as a middle name, in honour of my Great Nonna Carmela, and Daddy’s Zizi Carmen. Two special people in our lives who we loved fiercely, but never had the chance to know you. I hope that having their name as a part of yours is something you will be proud of as you grow older, as we share more stories with you of these very special people.
Over the past few months, you have suddenly matured into a little boy, leaving behind the baby talk, and the need for mommy & daddy to help you with everything. You are having full conversations, using the potty, and getting taller by the minute. You have an insatiable love for music, and a passion in your bones to rock out to songs that are wildly beyond your years. You’ve had some big changes in your life, and you seem to just go with the flow. As we took down your crib a few weeks ago, I had to walk away for a moment. I shed a few tears, letting go of a chapter in our lives that has come to an end. I didn’t think you were ready for a “big boy bed”. In hindsight, you’ve probably been ready for a while, it was just that mommy wasn’t emotionally prepared for that milestone!
Today, as you turn 3, and life around you is hectic, fast-paced, and constantly changing, you seem to keep us all grounded, and remind us to not sweat the small stuff. You keep us laughing and smiling, even when we don’t think we can. Don’t ever stop surprising us with kisses on our cheeks and saying ‘I Love You’.
Happy 3rd Birthday, my sweet boy. I hope you know how loved you are.
