dear Lionel Conner,

oh, sweet boy – how do i find the words to describe how much joy you bring to our family? from your sweet voice insisting that Mama wake up each morning because “it’s the sun’s turn” to your kiss-zzrbit-kiss on my cheek each night, you have weaseled your way into my heart and made yourself a cozy permanent home there, one that, i am sure, is decked out with cars and hockey gear aplenty and music from “Frozen” piped in on continuous repeat.

what’s been special about being your Mama this past year has been watching you discover more about the world around you, now that you actually have the vocabulary to talk about what you’re noticing.

“the wind blew over the garbage can, Mama?” you asked me the other day. “will the garbage man come and pick it up?”

“hello!” you exclaim to every cashier, waiter, banker and grandma that you see. you’re always so friendly and polite to others, especially when they bring your food at a restaurant {“chicken nuggets and French fries, please!”} or scan your $0.97 cent new Matchbox car at “the Target.”

“Mama, i make you lunch,” you say to me daily as you clang play pots and pans together and sprinkle play soup with play salt and pepper, just like you watch your Daddy do when he cooks for us.

“i right here, Quincy,” you say to your baby brother when he cries out. “Lionel right here.” watching you sssh and comfort and embrace your baby brother like a pro, like you have watched your Mama and Daddy do many, many times, is but one example of your big, wide-open heart which blesses us each and every day, Lionel.

i can’t wait to see what adventures you have in store for us in your third year of life, sweet L. happiest of birthdays to you, big boy!

xoxo,

Mama