Today my son Jacob is three years old, and I am sobbing. This, I have come to discover, is what I do on my children’s birthdays. I sob. Because these children of mine? They are growing at a totally unreasonable rate, and I am not really prepared for it. And so, suddenly, I have a three-year-old, and I am caught up in the extremely bittersweet nature of parenting until I can’t contain the stinging behind my eyeballs anymore and it comes spilling out.
Why, oh why, oh why do they have to grow so fast?
The last three years of my life have been a whirlwind of awesome. I have watched Jacob move from helpless infant to little person, with his own thoughts, interests and concerns. He is no longer my baby, or even my toddler. He is my little boy, and soon (too soon) he won’t even be that. See? The bittersweet-ness refuses to be contained.
Before I wander too far down this track of Where did the time go? and I’m not ready for him to grow up and leave me! I am going to stop. Full stop, right here and now. And instead, I am going to share photos. These share the story of my son Jacob, who is one of the most amazing little people I have ever met. I am truly privileged to be his mother, and to have shared these three years with him. And as much as watching him grow so quickly makes my heart ache, it also makes my chest swell with pride.
Happy birthday, sweet baby boy. I love you more than words or pictures could ever convey.
The first thing that I said when I saw Jacob was, “He’s so small!” And truly, compared to his three and a half year old sister he was small. Today, when I look at him all that I can think is, “He’s so big!” And truly, compared to the baby he once was, he is big. That is cause for celebration. So I will dry my eyes, and eat cake, and maybe even dance. Today my son is three, and I have no more time for tears.
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Happy Birthday to Jacob! Right now I’m wishing away my daughter’s toddlerhood by already planning and looking forward to her third or fourth birthday parties (she turned 2 two weeks ago), but I’m learning to relish in each moment, each day of her life!
Just think, there was NO Hipstamatic APP when he was born! Happy Birthday. He’s such a character.
harriet Fancott’s last post … The highs and lows of camping with a toddler
Twitter: cartside
says:
Happy Birthday Jacob!
cartside’s last post … Smack those kids!?
My big guy turned 3 in May and I spend a good portion of that day sobbing too. At the time I cried for the same reasons as you – ” He’s so big! Already! It’s too soon!” – but now I know that the real reason I should have been crying is ‘the intolerable threeness’. Three in this household is infinitely more challenging than 2 ever was. May three in your household be infinitely easier and more joyful!
Shana’s last post … Picture Thursday – 33 weeks pregnant
Twitter: AmberStrocel
says:
I will say this – my most challenging moments with Hannah happened in the months following her third birthday. And the fact that I was pregnant at the time just exacerbated it.
Luckily, the other side really is lovely.
Happy birthday to your little boy!
the mombshell’s last post … while you’re at BlogHer, I ‘ll be enjoying 6 years of wedded bliss. get some perspective people.
Twitter: bluebirdmama
says:
Happy Birthday Jacob!
I have always done my sobbing after the party when I’ve tucked the kids in bed and you know, I have found the first three birthdays to be the hardest for that bittersweetness (too much bitter, I mean). By the 4th birthday, there were less tears.
Bluebirdmama’s last post … Easy as 1-2-3
Twitter: fuoriborgo
says:
happy birthday to jacob!
Francesca’s last post … Flowers in my garden
Twitter: pomomama
says:
happy birthday, both of you
PS: sons grow up really well – having fun with my 8y old right now
pomomama’s last post … a busy (but enjoyable) day
Twitter: mothersofchange
says:
Gosh that kid is CUTE! Congrats….and happy birthday to the big little boy! My littlest boy turns three tomorrow…seriously, where DID all that time go?
I especially love the photo of him with the mischevious grin and the food on his forehead. AWESOME.
=)
Glad you liked BlogHer. You’re making me think I might go next year too! New York? COOL!
Melissa Vose’s last post … Sparkly
The massive size of his personality really comes through in those photos. He really is, as far as I can gather from my view, a pretty remarkable child. Happy Birthday to your Jacob!
Melissa’s last post … This Moment: Rabbit Kisses
Twitter: ladymrules
says:
Happy Birthday, Jacob!
It was really nice to get to meet you in San Diego!
Lady M’s last post … Off to BlogHer
Happy birthday to your little man!
Amanda’s last post … Wednesday of Few Words: Stepping Out from Behind the Lens
Having kids is all about the bittersweet. They are like chocolate covered lemons.
Happy birthday Jacob!
Capital Mom’s last post … Shopping at the baby store
I absolutely love your site!! It makes me want to be a mom so badly!!
Bethany’s last post … Turning ‘Have To’ Into ‘Want To’
Oh precious!! Happy 3!
Steph
Adventures In Babywearing’s last post … Palms up.
My kids looked at these with me and loved the one with Jacob dressed with princess gear. They kept making me scroll to it over and over. Happy belated birthday Jacob!
Melodie’s last post … www333 (Custom).jpg
Twitter: RachaelNevins
says:
It’s a bit late to be wishing Jacob a happy birthday … so I’ll wish him a marvelous fourth year! And I hope that you enjoyed his birthday after? in between? all the sobbing.
Rachael’s last post … Doing More Nothing