No. 3 turns 4!!

We've spent a lot of time at our local pool lately, and every summer since Sebastian was born, I've looked at pregnant women and thought, "That was me!" Somehow, that was me exactly four years ago. Time really flies. Sebastian is four today...the age Brie was when he was born! It's also a big milestone for our family since that means that half of parenthood for us has now included Sebastian. For me and Tony, our tenure as parents still feels like pre-Sebastian and post-Sebastian. Having Sam and Brie were not difficult decisions to make, but having a third child? We didn't take that decision lightly at all. And, while in most ways he's only enriched our family, Tony and I do remark often that three is much tougher than two. Working hard at addressing everyone's needs, wants and demands (often simultaneously) feels unending. And then there's the squabbling. Sam + Brie = very amicable. Brie + Sebastian = two peas in a pod. Sam + Sebastian = competition, arguing and (frequently) crying. Sam + Brie + Sebastian = total chaos (most of the time)! This will improve, right??

Back to the good stuff...the best part about having a younger kiddo still in the house is remembering all of the sweet and fun things that come with the early years. And thinking your birthday is the best occasion ever is high on that list. Like all of our kids' birthdays, Sebastian has been celebrating for a few weeks. He celebrated with his classmates at school in late May...

He got an early birthday gift from the grandparents before they left for vacation...

And he'll keep on going until his party in a week and a half. Lucky Bas!

In honor of the birthday boy's big day, I thought I'd make a short list of some interesting and funny facts about Sebastian. Here they are in no particular order:

• He can be VERY silly...especially when being photographed.

• He eats at least two granola bars/day...before noon. Also, yellow raisins are his fifth food group.

• He loves Sammy, even though they fight a lot. You'd think Sebastian would wise up and just go play with Brie first, but he's a glutton for punishment!

• He would wear pajamas 24 hours/day if we let him.

• Speaking of which, he's a terrible sleeper...at night. He can nap like a champ, but the boy hops beds in the middle of the night for no clear reason.

• He's been able to read numbers for months now. His ABCs? Apparently, less important...

• He can be FIERY! He is sweet as sugar, very affectionate, and always tells people he cares about that he loves them...but then out of nowhere, Sebastian gets really mad and lashes out. When the "Wrath of Sebastian" emerges, watch out for scratching and fast-flying objects.

• He doesn't eat dinner very often. Dessert? No problem!

• He has lots of clever ideas. In this pic, he's the pilot of his own plane that he built out of a grocery cart, umbrella, chair and jump rope. He's holding a lunchbox, which has a small snack in it for the customers flying on the plane. :-)

• He's full of gratitude, which is a delightful trait for a 4-year-old. If I make one of his favorite foods, he rejoices, "Oh, Mom. Thank you! I'm so proud of you!" Ha!

• He enjoys randomly declaring that it's someone else's birthday and then finding them a gift around the house, wrapping it and giving it to the unsuspecting celebrant. (Brie likes to do something similar.)

• He LOVES to cook and bake along side me and, despite his young age, he will stick with a recipe from beginning to end.

• He was offended that Tony and I did not sign him up for spring soccer and kept trying to walk onto Brie's team (as if they wouldn't notice that he's four years too young and the only boy).

• Thanks to the "Octonauts" TV show, he's a mini marine life expert!

• He still has that squinty smile that we love!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Sebastian! Yay, for our #3!!