Translation Please

WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER I loved hearing you say words with such confidence, even if they were incorrect. For example, you would say "hocidoctor" for helicopter, "agitator" for alligator, "efelant" for elephant, "ocstible" for obstacle, "binocliars" for binoculars, ocopriate" for cooperate & one of my personal favorites, "kadomadome" for the Tacoma Dome. Another cute thing you would say is "Miccole" instead of Niccole when telling someone my name. It was so cute that I didn't have the heart to correct you & you eventually figured it out - I knew you would. I even video taped you saying it 'cause it was so darn cute! All these crazy words have put many a smile on my face, but none more than your first words - "kee kat" for kitty cat. You were 7 1/2 months old - YES, that's no typo, 7 1/2 months when you were reaching to pet our cat Buster & you said "kee kat". We couldn't believe it. It was so amazing that we didn't even care that your first words weren't "mama" or "dada". You have always loved animals so it's no surprise that you would have your first words be animal related. Then at 14 months you said "applesauce" as clear as day! Even your daycare teacher looked stunned & had you repeat it, again clear & concise...applesauce! You had seen her grab it out of your lunch bag & wanted it. You are my special little guy & I look forward to many more words to come.

The Heart of a Friend

TODAY MY SWEET BOY, you once again surprised me with your sensitive nature. We were driving to the lake & out of the blue you asked me if I had invited the brothers Jason & Christopher* to Starbucks the other day when we ran into them there. I said, "No, it was just a coincidence that they were there". A few minutes passed then you asked me if you had said "Jason & Christopher". I said yes, & you continued to say "Good, because I don't want to leave Christopher out. When we were younger, Nathan* & some of us boys would tease Christopher, but I'm a kind hearted boy now Mom. Christopher & I are friends & I know he appreciates my buddyness & I appreciate his buddyness." I had to laugh my sweet child at your sincerity, rivaled only by your matter-of-factness. It is music to a mother's ears to hear her child make such unsolicited & independent decisions of kind heartedness. I pray that you will always be such a tender soul & to always choose to be a good buddy.

*Names changed for privacy.

My Adventure Buddy

THERE IS SO MUCH about you that I love & one of the things I love most about you is your love for adventures. Some of our favorite adventures are at the lake & you especially love Vasa Park at Lake Sammamish. You silly boy, on your first trip there you decided to dive off the diving board - it didn't go so well - you haven't done it again since (yet). I love the pure joy on your face with each jump & the little giggles that always follow.

Pictured: Tanner Bourlier at Vasa Park

Voice of an Angel

THOUGH SOMETIMES the noise that comes out of your mouth is loud, VERY loud - borderline eardrum piercing & anything but like an angel, today I listened to you singing a lullaby to Sophie as she was curled up next to you napping & it was absolutely angelic!

Pictured: Tanner Bourlier & Sophie