Baby Pierce : 2017

Dear Nami,

As you get older, your "one of a kind" personality is really shining through. I must admit, this past year you were a handful. I have learned, with you and Brycen at least, that the "terrible two's" is nothing compared to the three's. You were always the sweet and sensitive one compared to Brycen, but boy did you have your moments. Looking back at this past year I seriously do not know how either one of us survived. You tested me, daddy, and your older siblings time after time. There were some days I thought you legitimately had some sort of psychological anger issue. Fortunately, after many failed attempts of gaining control of the situation, we finally have figured out how to calm you... our little tsuNami. It is really interesting how truly fitting your name is. You are a strong wave of emotions. When you are angry, you are outraged. When you are sad, you are devastated. When you are happy, you are ecstatic. When you are silly, you are hilarious. You are the most empathetic child I have ever known. Recently, you exemplified this empathetic trait when I asked you if you would prefer to have a donut cake instead of a birthday cake (because you STILL do not like cake). In which you replied, "YES! I want a donut cake!" Subsequently, Brycen began to whine and complain that he does not want a donut cake, he wanted a birthday cake. I explained to Brycen that this was YOUR birthday and that because you do not like birthday cake, we will be serving something sweet you enjoy - donuts. Brycen continued to whine and cry, and I noticed you being bothered by his unsettledness. You then said, "Momma, I change my mind. I want a birthday cake, not a donut cake." I replied, "Nami, you don't like birthday cake. I want you to get what YOU want, not what anyone else wants." You replied, "No momma, I want a birthday cake!" I then watched you as you looked down and over at Brycen and you softly said, "Brycen, I'm getting a birthday cake, Okay? You can have birthday cake." Brycen was still whimpering, and I asked you, "How about we get a birthday cake and donut cake?" , in which you quickly replied, "yay! Brycen we can have a birthday cake and donuts! You can have birthday cake and I can have a donut!" That is just one instance that you show your empathy towards others. You do it often. In matter of fact, I am pretty sure your older siblings have figured this out about you and they often use it to their advantage to get what they want, Brycen especially. You stand your ground some times, but more often than not you are graciously doing for others for the sake of their happiness. I love this about you, although I worry one day someone may take advantage of you and go too far with it. I never want you to be a door mat where people can walk all over you. I hope you are wise enough to know your limits of compassion for others.

Another worry I have for you is the day someone notices your scars on your upper lips, your asymmetric nostrils, or your not so perfect gum line and teeth - and decides to tease you. You have already noticed your own imperfect teeth, and you show them to me in the mirror and try to make me laugh. I must say, I can not laugh. I feel bad for you. I want to cry for you. I want you, I NEED you to understand - I think you are beautiful and perfect in every way. I love your smile, your beautiful lips, and your cute nose. BUT, I am fearful that someone will make a cruel comment that may affect your outlook on yourself. Kids can be cruel. I don't want you to ever feel self-conscious about your self. I will do anything I can to help you feel confident and secure with your self. About four months ago you found a baby picture of yourself prior to your lip repair. I asked you if you knew who that was, and you said you did not know. I said it was you. Maybe I was being sensitive and was reading too much into your response, but my heart sank when you said "Noooo, that is Brycen." not knowing if you were embarrassed or just being silly. Either way I felt it was a good time to talk to you about your cleft. You asked me what was wrong with your nose in the picture (the gaps under your nostrils), and I explained that some babies are born that way. I went on to tell you that you were born that way, and you were so cute. I then tried to tell you how you met with a doctor to fix the gaps under your nostril so that it would look like it does now. At this point you were over it. You were onto other things, such as stripping down your clothes and sticking a sock between your butt cheeks showing me that you have a tail as you shook your hips from side to side. You, my boy, are an original. I ADORE you. Maybe I am worrying too much, being a little over protective, but I dread the day you come home sad and upset because someone has made fun of you. I know that any of the kids could become a target to get made fun of, but I do not worry for them in that way as I do for you. You are my bravest boy though. Between you and Brycen, you are definitely the fearless one. You are the one that will jump anyone messing with your friends or family. You have that "I got your back!" mentality. You are a strong boy. Maybe I should not worry so much about your reaction to others, because so far you have shown us that you don't really care what others think of you as long as you have your family - and we will ALWAYS "have your back!"

Speaking of having each other's back, you and Brycen are best friends. You guys can go almost anywhere as long as the two of you are together. I was nervous about you both going to summer camp at Camp Gan Izzy last summer, but you two did it and loved it! You both would always be sitting beside each other at car pool talking and playing around. Your friendship has deepened even more as you both are growing older. Brycen always makes sure you are thought of and being included, and you do the same for him. When I get Brycen a special snack, he always grabs something for you. If daddy or I ever threatened to leave one of you at the house in an effort to get you guys moving quickly, the other would get really upset screaming at us to not leave the other. I believe this is part of the reason you had such a difficult time this year at Montessori school. Daddy and I enrolled you and Brycen into the Allen ISD pre-k program in an effort to prepare you both for the Allen ISD schools. Brycen could go 5 days a week because he was four years old, but you could only go three days a week because that is all they offered the three year olds. That meant you had to go to Montessori school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which was the first time you have ever been to a school without Brycen. Daddy and I did not understand how much this change would affect you. You would have melt downs every Tuesday and Thursday morning while trying to get you dressed for school. It was many things causing the melt downs - one, you had to wear a uniform and Brycen did not; two, you wanted to go to Learn and Playday; three, you wanted Brycen to go to Montessori school with you. I got it. After weeks of being clawed, kicked, and even punched in the face by your outrage, I finally figured out how to calm you down. Daddy and I had to mentally prepare you each night before school as to what to expect. We would ask you each night if you knew which school you were going to the next day. We would then explain that you need to wear your uniform and we are going to have a good day. That definitely helped out with getting you dressed and in the car. Although, getting you out of the car once you arrived at the Montessori school was a completely different story. You would ask me over and over again to please not make you go to school. You would refuse to take your seat belt off, and when I would do it for you, you would hold me as tight as you possibly could crying and begging me to not make you go. The teachers would literally have to pry your arms open to get you and you would be in a frantic state screaming and trying to run back after me, causing the teachers to sometimes hold you down on the ground to keep you from running after me in front of the busy car pool line. This would make my heart sink. Interestingly, when I would call the school to check on you, they would always say you were happy and fine. Your meltdown was brief, and by the time you walked to your class you were happy. YET, I still couldn't stand to see you go into hysterics every time I dropped you off. So, I finally did what any GREAT parent would do. I bribed you. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning I have a surprise for you that you can only receive once you exit the vehicle upon arrival at your Montessori school with no tears. Guess what, it works - judge away. Now, every Tuesday and Thursday you have something to look forward to (even though you don't have your brother by your side) and most importantly, you are happy.

Brycen is not your only friend. You and him actually share a lot of friends. You both have had play dates with Tatum, Advait, and Aarush. Apparently, at recess sometimes you all get to play together when you have joint recess. You both love it when you are at the same recess. You also have some friends that are solely your friends - Howie, Krishna, and Rohan. You had your first ever non-cousin friend play date at their house without me being present. At first you were a little reluctant for me to leave, but after a few minutes of warming up to Krishna's family (and seeing a huge pile of toys) you were okay for me to leave. I was very proud of you for being so brave and not backing out last minute. You make friends very easily, and according to your teachers you are pretty popular in your class. Many of the kids from Brycen and your class are calling out to you to say bye and hi. All of Brycen's friends include you in their birthday parties. You are pretty special.

In an effort to not miss anything, here is a list of firsts for you this past year: moving into our new "Big House", sharing a bedroom with Brycen, being a big brother, having a baby sister, attending a school without Brycen, having a sleep over with the Johnson cousins, playing video games, attending Learn and Playday, practice writing your name, sitting in a car booster, putting shoes on all buy yourself, having a responsibility chart, taking showers instead of baths and washing yourself without much help from momma and daddy, going to the dentist and getting your teeth cleaned and x-rays (no tears - you said you love the water and the "sucky thing"), 100% potty trained, brush teeth by yourself with momma and daddy's post-brushing inspection, getting hair cuts in a seat instead of momma's lap, creating a basketball bracket, being daddy's doctor assistant anytime your given the opportunity, putting your dishes away, sticking things between your butt cheeks to have a tail and make us laugh, going bowling, attended Camp Gan Izzy, watched Trolls, Batman lego movie, Sing, and Rock Dogs at the movie theatre, and probably your favorite first is that you have Bailey... Even if Bailey doesn't want you to have him. :)

Nami - You are and will always be my sweet baby boy. You and I share an unbreakable bond which I cherish. I know you love me so much because I can feel it from your voice when you speak to me, hear it in your laughter when we play together, see it in your eyes when you reach out to me, and know in my heart that you are in mine and I am in yours. I have always said that laughter is the way to my heart, and you have continuously stole my heart from day one. I have said it before, and I will say it again... you keep the balance in this family. Your unique self often keeps my monotonous routine in life, a bit more entertaining. I sincerely thank you for that. I love you my little comedian. Sooooo, so, so, sooooooo, so, soooooooooo, so, so, so, so, sooooooooooooooo, so, so, sooooooooooooo, so, so, so, sooooooo, so, so, soooooooo, so, sooooooooooooooooooooooooo VERY MUCH!

Here is to another happy wonderful birthday!
My arms forever open to you,
Momma