We woke up this morning bright and early for a birthday dance party. We set the speakers to “They say it’s your birthday….” and SJ thought it was the greatest thing since discovering pretzel sticks (which says a lot because he’s quite obsessed with pretzel sticks).

It’s now officially been 7 years since I have NOT had a child under the age of 3. SEVEN YEARS.

To think that I don’t have a baby in diapers… is almost mind blowing. My brain gets so confused now on Target trips because buying diapers was my excuse to “run to Target real quick”. And I still go down the diaper aisle nearly every single time and then I think, Oh wait, I don’t need diapers!

So then I end up buying some piece of wall art for another gallery wall that I don’t have room for.

I wanted pictures of SJ on his actual birthday so after our dance party we did a mini photo shoot in the playroom. Yes, this all went down before 7:00 am.

I said I’m out of the diaper phase, but what I did NOT say is that I am out of the waking up early phase. But it has to be soon, right? Plus, if I’m being honest, 7:00 am is actually LATE compared to what it used to be. FIVE AM.

I’ll take it.

SJ is the third child and he fits every stereotype of third child syndrome. I treat him like my baby…because he is the closest thing I have to a baby.

He still loves to “cuttles” me on the couch and chooses kisses over french fries any day. He is very serious most of the time and he makes the most gawd awful faces…which he gets from his momma.

I love watching him read a book or play the iPad because his facial expressions say everything.

He also thinks he is just as old as his brothers and can do everything they can do. Including climbing ANYTHING in the house. He’s been doing that since at least age one.

If he needs a book, why by golly…he will just get himself a book.

I love his independence, but hate it at the same time. I still need him to be my baby and I can see that slipping through my fingers each and every day.

I love THIS shot above because this was him taking a picture of me taking a picture of him.

His face hasn’t grown out of the innocence stage yet and it melts my heart each time he looks at me.

Not only is he sweet as a button, he’s equally as smart and he loves to sing.

I never want to forget the voice in this video. EVER. Although I’m not sure what’s funnier in this video…him singing or the fact that he’s holding a huge hammer. Ha!

I’m trying to be more intentional about capturing these little moments on camera because I know that I will regret it later if I don’t.

I pray everyday for his future and the people that will shape his life. I think it’s important to start those prayers now! I’m especially praying for his future wife…and that I will be able to handle someone taking my baby from me.

I can’t believe he’s already THREE. Words can not express what joy this boy brings to my life.

Happy Birthday sweet baby boy!