Good Morning Four

My Dearest Shadden,

Before you were born, I imagined when you would arrive.  Would it be the end of March or early April?  Any day besides April Fools Day sounded fine to me.  In labor, I even prayed you would come out before my April first deadline!  I wanted you to have your own special day without holiday connotations.  But, The Good Lord always knows best.

You were born on Divine time April 1, 2009 at 2:30 in the afternoon.  Knowing you now, it all makes sense.

I have tried to expose you to the wonders of Spring:  climbing trees full of cherry blossoms, finding robins nests in trees, tulips sprouting from bulbs we planted in Autumn together, newborn farm animals, warm rains to puddle jump, the smell of lilacs in our garden, Easter, dying eggs, and egg hunting.  But when asked what spring means, one thing comes to your mind...April 1st (and I am not referring to April Fools Day!).  April first means two of the most wonderful things in the world; your birthday and the first day of baseball season.  You are a Gulley at heart!  You have an innate love for baseball no one could "teach."

Your birthday wish this year was to play baseball and have a train party.  I feel a bit displaced since moving and did not prepare the traditional birthday party you were anticipating.  But, we did our best.

On your birthday, you awoke asking me if today was your birthday.  You had to ask me three more times in different ways-just to be sure.  Then, you set out exploring while I held Kealana still asleep in my arms.  I could hear you gasping and whispering out loud how much you loved the birthday balloons and decorations.  Daddy made your favorite breakfast of pancakes with coconut syrup.  We all laughed over your birthday request for sushi at a Hibachi restaurant.  You are just like your Daddy!!  There are no Hibachi restaurants in Petaluma so your Daddy promised you Hibachi in San Francisco after A GIANTS GAME!  He got the family tickets to a game for your birthday on a different date.  It was raining outside so we played inside and went to sushi for lunch and Daddy held you for your nap while I took care of Kealana.

Papa had a special birthday treat we all enjoyed.  He surprised us with a visit on your birthday!  Ian and Papa arrived while you were napping.  I went up to tell you he arrived when you came running, "Papa!  Papa's here?" and started sprinting down the hallway until I stopped you and reminded you to on some pants.  "OH YeaaaH!" you laughed and ran to your room making those adorable running feet sounds I love so much.  You came downstairs saying, "THE BIG TRAINMAN is COMING!" in your best announcer voice dressed head to toe as a train conductor-pardon me!  Train Engineer, you corrected.  Indeed!

We played outside on scooters and bikes and rode to cow country and to the playground until everyone was completely out of gas and ready for dinner.  "Taco Truck!!  Let's go to the Taco Truck!"  The Bobcat gene is strong.  We all laughed and Papa said, "sure, I'll get you the TacOn your birthday, you awoke asking me if today was your birthday.  You had to ask me three more times in different ways-just to be sure.  Then, you set out exploring while I held Kealana still asleep in my arms.  I could hear you gasping and whispering out loud how much you loved the birthday balloons and decorations.  Daddy made your favorite breakfast of pancakes with coconut syrup.  We all laughed over your birthday request for sushi at a Hibachi restaurant.  You are just like your Daddy!!  There are no Hibachi restaurants in Petaluma so your Daddy promised you Hibachi in San Francisco after A GIANTS GAME!  He got the family tickets to a game for your birthday on a different date.  It was raining outside so we played inside and went to sushi for lunch and Daddy held you for your nap while I took care of Kealana.

Papa had a special birthday treat we all enjoyed.  He surprised us with a visit on your birthday!  Ian and Papa arrived while you were napping.  I went up to tell you he arrived when you came running, "Papa!  Papa's here?" and started sprinting down the hallway until I stopped you and reminded you to on some pants.  "OH YeaaaH!" you laughed and ran to your room making those adorable running feet sounds I love so much.  You came downstairs saying, "THE BIG TRAINMAN is COMING!" in your best announcer voice dressed head to toe as a train conductor-pardon me!  Train Engineer, you corrected.  Indeed!

We played outside on scooters and bikes and rode to cow country and to the playground until everyone was completely out of gas and ready for dinner.  "Taco Truck!!  Let's go to the Taco Truck!"  The Bobcat gene is strong.  We all laughed and Papa said, "sure, I'll get you the Taco truck for your birthday!  And what about some frozen yogurt for dessert?"  So, I bathed and put Kealana to bed and we all enjoyed a FUN family birthday party of tacos and cake with vanilla yogurt.

I couldn't stop laughing or smiling listening to my little always acting so BIG.  You were talking turns telling stories at the dinner table with Ian like a ten year old.  You are a born extrovert.  

o truck for your birthday!  And what about some frozen yogurt for dessert?"  So, I bathed and put Kealana to bed and we all enjoyed a FUN family birthday party of tacos and cake with vanilla yogurt.

I couldn't stop laughing or smiling listening to my little always acting so BIG.  You were taking turns telling stories at the dinner table with Ian like a ten year old.  You are a born extrovert.  You feed off the energy of those around you.  Your naturally sunny ways shine even brighter when given the spotlight of a crowd.  You love laughing and being a jokester and making everyone else laugh.  You remind me so much of your Daddy sometimes.  It is a delight to be in your company and bask in the warmth of your smile.  You make the world a happier place.  You reflect God's playful spirit and I praise Jesus for dear wonderful you.