Today is a special day~!

It was like Christmas-- we started the day with a nice wake up (lots of family cuddling) and a simple breakfast of eggs, english muffin, straberries, and coffee/hot lemon+molasses. Then, we opened Soren's presents. He is three years old today!

After living with this critter for three years now, I forget how much of a transition it has been. Won't you join me in a bout of looking back? :)

>6 weeks in the Hospital. He weighed fewer than 6 pounds at this point after being born 9 weeks early.

Soren at 6 months! You can already see his zany personality coming out!

Around 7 months, learning to crawl.

Just under 1 year. Ditto the personality thing!

Just past 2 years old, with my parents.

2 and a half, near Shenandoah. Still a baldy!

Almost three! You can't tell here, but I have probably lost a lot more hair. Thanks, kid!

My sweetie. Also, he's not wearing any pants. See? Sooo mischievous!

Today Lisa and I are taking Soren out for Indian brunch for buffet at Apna! I am so excited to get a date with my two favorite people in the world, eating one of Cincinnati's strongest culinary treats. 

Now, I have to say that having a baby is pretty cool. But watching a baby turn into a toddler and then a little boy...! That's unlike anything I've ever experienced.

On Conversing.

One of the worst parts of watching your child grow up is knowing that they will never return-- they will never cuddle, laugh, play, or cry in the same way. It's hard not to feel heartbroken a little bit everyday.

One of the best parts of their growing up, however, is the excitement that comes with new changes. My favorite thing now is being able to hold conversations with Soren. Consider our chat this morning:

Soren: Soren have it?

Leif: Oh, no, sweetie. This is a big pill. 

S: Soren have big pill?

L: Oh, it's too big buddy. You couldn't swallow it.

S: (In silly voice) Soren have it!

L: Oh sweetie. It's too big for you. You'd try to swallow it and it'd get stuck in your throat. Then you wouldn't be able to breathe, and... you'd choke.

(Long pause as I start to imagine the scenario).

S: (Long pause): Soren try it?