The Lovely Years: David: {4 Years}

David –

You are 4 years old today! I've seen so many changes in you over the last year. It's exciting to watch you grow into the person God designed you to be, yet sad because I'm realizing just how grown up you are becoming. Thankfully, you still like the occasional hug, kiss, or hand hold from your mama :) According to our measurements at home, you are 36 lbs, 5 oz and 40 inches tall. We'll add your official stats after your well check in January.

You wear mostly 4T, size 4/5 (XS) underwear, and wear size 10 or 11 shoes.

Eating has improved slightly since your last birthday. You definitely have favorite foods, (pizza, chicken nuggets, french fries, yogurt, and vanilla ice cream), and foods you won't try. However, sometimes you are willing to try a new food. Sometimes you tell us you like something, but won't eat more than that first bite. You still get a bedtime snack, and we've had hardly any issues with throwing up bile since :) If you're grumpy from a nap, or just in general, you refuse to eat on principle. However, you usually ask for food after you've had some time to yourself.

You still have all of your teeth, and you've been to the dentist twice now. You're not a big fan, and get pretty skiddish around the dental assistants. However, your teeth still look great, and overall you did just fine at your appointments!

Sleep is still changing a bit. You've always been a good overnight sleeper, with naps being sporadic. You still don't like waking up from a nap, and get extremely grouchy when you are awake. Lately, you fall asleep 9 out of 10 times when we get in the car line for pick up at Jill's school. We gave you your own room once we found out our newest baby would be another girl. You seem to be lonely though :( We've given you a nightlight, and you tend to wander out of your room to talk to us/go to the bathroom/get some water/whatever excuse you come up with. You have asked more than once to have Lexie as your roommate once she moves into her crib. We've decided to give that arrangement a try. In a few weeks, you'll have a roommate again :)

This fall, you started a new preschool class at church! You really like school, and you are SO very smart. It's hard to keep you interested simply because you understand what's happening already. You have a few good friends, but your teachers tell me you play with everyone. You go to church preschool 3 days a week for 3.5 hours.

Potty-Training is officially complete! Something just finally clicked around April, and you haven't had an accident since. You wear underwear all the time, and do a good job listening to your body when we're away from the house.

You are a sensitive child. You feel some big feelings, and I just hope we do you justice by letting you feel them before helping you navigate through them. You're still a little flirtatious, but not as much as before. You also love introducing yourself to anyone you see. We think you're definitely an extrovert :)

Your nicknames are: Bud, Davey, El Fuego, LT, and Mister Man.

Things you love: making people laugh, smiling, giving hugs, Mickey Mouse, Paw Patrol, Ninja Turtles, pizza, mama's phone, music, Grossery Gang, Shopkins, cookies, being a big helper, being as active as possible, asking a million questions, volunteering first, changing your mind, being tickled, hanging upside down, Storybots, YouTube, the Spanish Alphabet song, learning/listening to Spanish, Batman, your Woody Shoes (cowboy boots with Woody from Toy Story), and being a sweetheart.

Things you don't love: Getting a haircut, being interrupted, loud noises, being alone, not being listened to, having toys taken from you, and being sent to your room.

Last time I wrote an update on you, I had no idea that I was pregnant with your last sibling. In fact, we found out on December 17th that our family of 5 would become a family of 6! You took the news a bit better this time, and even asked to hold Lexie a lot more than you ever did with Lottie.

You're a great little/big brother to all of your sissies! I'm sure you were hoping our last baby would be a boy, but you seem pretty happy to have Lexie around now :) You are usually gentle, though seem to be the roughest/toughest on Lottie. I hope you become nicer to her over time. She sure does love you! Jill seems to still be the sister you are closest to. You seem to really admire and love your sister, which makes this mama's heart melt!

David, I am so grateful that you are my son. You make me laugh harder than I thought I could, and you make me feel incredibly blessed. Life is extra joyous with you around. You make us proud, and we are excited to see what year 4 brings. We love you, Bud! :)

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