Sunday, April 12th, 2009...11:56 pm
Four!
Apparently, even weekly is too much. I’ll try to be by more often, but with naps a thing of the past, I feel like my free time has vanished. I try to sneak by when I can, even if I don’t comment.
*********************
Four years ago today, amidst the sounds of the Notre Dame Fight Song playing from my cell phone (which Daddy deems far too coincidental - just face it hon, you have little choice here!), you arrived in my life. And, it will never be the same. I have a decent vocabulary, what with being an English teacher in my former life, but there are simply not enough eloquent words to contain all that you encompass in my life and in my heart. You told me the other day you were “unique” and that unique meant “special…one-of-a-kind.” Do you have any comprehension just how true that statement is? There will never be another you.
You are more than unique, sweetheart, you are the fulfillment of a promise I felt in my heart, even knowing you would be a boy, before your dad and I were married. How did you manage to turn a name I picked out at nineteen and the words, “It’s a boy!” into the delight you have become today? Motherhood is the most incredible experience of my life, and you were the one who enabled me to have that title, one I will never relinquish.
I chose to love your father. It was a decision to choose that love. With you, it was never a choice. It was almost an instantaneous thunderbolt of emotion that left change in its wake. And, that is how I see you: the vessel that parted waters and made me a different person. That you chose me as your mother is something I get down on my knees and thank God for - because despite your faults, you have taught me beyond measure. Regardless of how many degrees I may obtain, nothing has taught me more than you.
When I see the dawning of realization on your face as you figure something out, I know I am looking into your daddy’s eyes and his intelligence. When I see you remember something inexplicably trivial from three months ago, I light up inside knowing you have your mother’s memory. Your grandfather’s extrovertedness. Your grandmother’s empathy. The unbridled curiosity that is solely your own. You are the amalgam of all those various wonderful qualities found in others joined with the ones that make you you. You inspire all of us, son.
Thank you for allowing me to tag along on this ride. Happy 4th Birthday, Knute. I love you.
52 Comments
April 13th, 2009 at 4:33 am
Beautiful babe.
Happy Birthday Knute!!!
April 13th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Happy Birthday, sweet Knute!
Karens last blog post..Easter is a Time for Miracles
April 13th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Oh, that was wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Happy birthday, Knute!
Krystyns last blog post..How did I get here? MM
April 13th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Happy Birthday Knute! I hope you have a great day!
Courtney@Chaosisuss last blog post..Happy Easter!
April 13th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Happy Birthday, Knute!!!
wrights last blog post..Photo Story Friday - Oreo Madness
April 13th, 2009 at 7:59 am
I hope he has a fantabulous day! Happy Birthday Knute!!!!
Smoochiefrogs last blog post..Weekly Winners 4/12/09
April 13th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Happy Birthday Knute!!
Rogers last blog post..A Quickie!
April 13th, 2009 at 8:31 am
What a BEAUTIFUL letter!!!
Happy 4th Birthday Knute!!
Stephanie Rs last blog post..Sunday Funday!!
April 13th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Awww…happy birthday, Knute!
(BTW, 4 is probably my favorite age so far. SO much fun!)
Ashlie- Mommycosms last blog post..The Noticer Project - pass it on
April 13th, 2009 at 8:54 am
happy birthday to your big boy!!!
the planet of janets last blog post..Strapped for ideas
April 13th, 2009 at 9:07 am
How very sweet. Gosh how time flies, doesn’t it. Happy Birthday Knute.
Denises last blog post..Eating Out With Kids: Steamboat Springs
April 13th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Just beautiful! Happy Birthday Knute!
Caras last blog post..The Crazy Cake
April 13th, 2009 at 11:00 am
This is wrong. He can’t be 4. Because then it means mine will be 4 in 5 months.
Sigh.
Happy birthday Knute, from your biggest fan and his mother!
Catwomans last blog post..Mothers’ Addictions Do Impact the Children
April 13th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Oh, and his little brother too.
Damn it.
Terrible mother, I am.
Catwomans last blog post..Mothers’ Addictions Do Impact the Children
April 13th, 2009 at 11:25 am
So beautiful. Hope he has a wonderful birthday.
Mom24@4evermoms last blog post..Passover
April 13th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Aww. That was so beautiful. You’re making me cry!
Happy Birthday, Knute!
April 13th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Aww - what an incredible love letter. It’s one of those magical things you just “get” once a child arrives. Your own birthday could disappear from the calendar, but come kiddo’s, it’s celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!
Happy, happy birthday to Knute!!
Ems last blog post..Because the damn bunny didn’t bring me a scanner.
April 13th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Happy Birthday Knute!!!
YAY!
Hope it was a fabulous one honey!!!
*how did i not know you were posting?
rachel-asouthernfairytales last blog post..Potato Casserole with SunDried Tomato & Basil Cream Cheese
April 13th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Beautiful post!
Katies last blog post..Highland Baking
April 13th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Gah! Here I am - a day late and a dollar short. Happy Belated Birthday, Knute. And tell your Mom I miss her.
lceels last blog post..Part 3 ends
April 13th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Happy Birthday to your little dude! Enjoy 4, it’s a really great age.
It was nice to read your words again, by the way… : )
Elaines last blog post..Easter, in an Eggshell
April 13th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
That was so sweet. Happy birthday to your little man!
Good to see you out and about.
Tara R.s last blog post..Maxx update
April 13th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Happy Birthday, Knute! Four is so much FUN!
AFF, It’s so good to hear from you. I hope you had a happy and holy Easter!
April 13th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Aw, ::tear::
Happy Birthday to Knute!!
Allisons last blog post..Popped Collars
April 13th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Happy Birthday, Knute!
I teared up on that one.
Jerseygirl89s last blog post..Madonna, Pot and People Who Bug Me
April 13th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
sniff* That was beautiful, Holly. Happy Belated Birthday Knute!
Joyce-Annes last blog post..Almost done
April 13th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Happy 4th Birthday!
We do learn more from them than they do from us.
Kilas last blog post..Easter weekend…
April 13th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Hope Knute had a great day.
Joannas last blog post..I C U
April 14th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Gorgeous, AFF. Happy birthday SD–I mean Knute!!!
Wow, I have so neglected my own blog, I didn’t see you had posted. I’m sorry!
Im Being Held Hostages last blog post..6 am
April 14th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
That was lovely.
Happy Belated Birthday Knute
Mamrite and Teas last blog post..Lethargic
April 18th, 2009 at 1:06 am
You know, that whole growing up, getting older thing . . . it’s killing me.
Happy BELATED Birthday to Knute!
That’s is my baby sister’s b-day. My younger sis is the 24th and I was the 5th of this month.
Yeah, I know. My parents were pretty darned busy in those hot summer months.
LaskiGals last blog post..Red Paint, Pasty and a Dream
April 18th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Awwww…Happy Birthday Knute
Hope you are doing great Holly!
Lisa@verybusymomwith4s last blog post..Thank You for the Advice
April 19th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Awww, that was lovely! Happy birthday to Knute! xxx
Karen@If I Could Escape . . .s last blog post..Photo Hunt . . . Purple
April 19th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I am a little behind but belated birthday wishes to your boy.
4 just sounds so big , i like 3 better lol
April 20th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
beautiful!
April 21st, 2009 at 8:42 am
What a precious birthday tribute. You’ve summed up motherhood more beautifully than I ever could here. It’s amazing how much someone so tiny teach you.
I hope Knute had a wonderful 4th birthday.
Well be in Disney during the second week of May!!!! I’m so bummed we’ll miss you
Momisodess last blog post..My apologies to Mother Abbess. I cannot climb ev’ry mountain.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:22 am
Better late than never….I couldn’t let this sweet tribute to your boy go by without saying….WOW. Beautiful doesn’t begin to describe it. Happy (late) Birthday Knute.
justmylifes last blog post..What a weekend
April 24th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
That was lovely. My baby just turned sixteen but I remember his fourth birthday like it was yesterday….and his fifth, and his sixth and his seventh…+
Jennifers last blog post..Hold the Phone…Gonna Post Today!!! And It’s Gonna Be Long One!!
April 27th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
What a beautiful piece of writing, H. You summed up motherhood so eloquently, and that unconditional love we all have for our little ones.
Hope you’re having a fantastic time!!
April 28th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Happy belated birthday! So amazing. Loved the post.
texasholly @ June Cleaver Nirvanas last blog post..Toddlerphrenia
May 1st, 2009 at 11:11 am
Flyby!!!!!!!
May 3rd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday, Knute!
Sandys last blog post..Happy St. Patty’s
May 7th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I see I’m not the only one not blogging as often! Hope little guy is loving age 4. I think it’s the magic year!
May 11th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Just thought I’d drop in to say I hope you had a Lovely and Happy Mother’s Day.
lceels last blog post..The Promised Ones
May 15th, 2009 at 6:48 am
So last night I was missing you. OK, I miss you lots of times and I could just email, twitter, FB you, but I came here to tell you that I SO admire you for walking away from this and the thing is, you told us so we’re all not sitting next to our monitors worrying something happened to you. I just miss you, that’s all.
Did you have a good Mum’s day? Did anyone fix you a cream tea?
Im Being Held Hostages last blog post..Off Balanced…
May 25th, 2009 at 2:26 am
update your blog, lady.
Amanda of Shamelessly Sassys last blog post..Things You should NEVER Have to Say:
June 12th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Happy birthday to your guy!
I’m sorry I haven’t been by in a while … hope things are going great from one Holly to another.
Holly at Tropic of Moms last blog post..Daily exercise is so important
June 21st, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I miss you. Post when you can (please).
June 29th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I, too, have taken quite a break from blogging - must be catching!
July 17th, 2009 at 9:41 am
How about ‘once in a great while’? Besides, football season is coming - may Notre Dame won’t suck this year if you return to blogging. You know - that whole karma thing - and all things in perfect alignment. And the whole blogging thing is tilted without you.
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:06 am
We miss you so much.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:07 am
Just a note to wish you and yours the very best of football, turkey, family, and plastic Jesuses this holiday season. (I would have said Christmas but if you use that word before Thanksgiving at my house, Santa does not come).
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