Letter to Seamus, at Four

Dear Seamus,

You have been four for a month. How is this even possible? 

We celebrated your birthday twice - once with a trip to the rodeo, per your request, the day before your birthday. 

Why you are sideways, I have no idea. But boy did you like that lemonade.

Then a week later we threw you a party at the local nature center, which I think made for a nice balance.

Quit mugging for the camera, dude, there’s a turtle behind you!It was a squeeze getting both of those done, but I’m glad we did it. You enjoyed both, and it was good to see you and your friends running around like maniacs in the meadow after the reptile program had ended.

You’ve undergone a sea change in the last two months or so. I don’t know if this summer was some last hurrah or dreadful three year-old button pushing or what, but man, you have mellowed out a lot. It took some time, but these last weeks have seen a much more communicative Seamus, one who can be receptive (and argumentative) in addition to the declaring and demanding little monster we love. The beginnings of reason have appeared, as have a love of words. You’ve begun learning to read, and last week we started reading chapters of James and the Giant Peach to you- two in the morning and two or so at bedtime- making that Roald Dahl collection the best thing your Dada has ever brought home from Costco.

We’ve become Mom and Dad during the day, and Mommy and Daddy when you’re tired or sad or scared. You started swim classes six weeks ago and will get your second ribbon next week. We took the training wheels off of your bicycle and you love to climb and jump on rocks and walls and logs, making either climbing classes or acrobatics classes a possibility. You ask me about how to say things in Spanish. You love science and making things and traveling. You’re excited about becoming a big brother in the spring, at school you take care of your friends.

It’s like you’ve gone over the wall. And while you’re still a full-tilt sort of a person (and probably always will be), you have blossomed in both hoped-for and unexpected ways. I confess that the last six months wore me out, but watching these things come from you has been a hell of a reward so far.

Love,

Mama