Zachary

Oh, little Zachary…I never knew…I never knew!  You are such a joy and challenge me in so many ways!  You are so much like me and so much like your dad!  You remember everything (that’s like me!), you talk a lot (that’s also like me), you are stubborn, you are smart, you are sweet, energetic, loving, ornery and everything in between.  You make me smile everyday and I love hearing you say, “Mama? Can you  …?”  I love our little dates and watching you grow up.  I love the way your mind processes things and how you love your family.  I love how when you are on Skype, you have to “show them something”…like when you took Mimi around the house and when I said it was enough, you said you had one more thing to show her…the fridge!  (I know, SO exciting!)…and you pointed out the water you drink, the milk your brothers drink…AND the “hot sauce” you get when you say bad words.  You ask TONS of questions and challenge almost everything.  You get in trouble for talking too much at school (I used to as well).  You want to be a big boy so badly and I just can’t believe you aren’t my baby anymore.  You jump in the pool with the big kids and are swimming SO well!  You couldn’t wait to start soccer…now you sit on the side and watch and tell me when it’s over that you “Miss your cousins…”…when I ask which ones, you tell me “all of them”…yes, you are clever…you see, I had JUST shown you that morning all of the cousins you were going to see during the summer…you talk about going to Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and “Bangkot”.  You are a sharp little boy with a great big heart.  You get mad at me and tell me you don’t love me…in fact, one night when you were mad at me, you “punished” me by telling me, “I’m not gonna say “this much” anymore” (your answer with arms open wide when I would ask, “How much do I love you?”)…I knew RIGHT away what you were telling me, so I chuckled to myself and asked, “How much do I love you?”…to which you replied “This much, ONLY this much!”…with your hands spread about 1 inch apart!  I couldn’t love you more!  You are particular about your clothes and ESPECIALLY your damned Velcro shoes…EVERYONE in town knows about this “problem”…in fact, they all know that I am the only one who can get your shoes on you “nice and perfect”…I’m ready to throw out all things Velcro!  You are learning Chinese and want your own Khmer tutor at our house…upstairs!

Everyone is going to be amazed at what a BIG boy you are now…I know I am!

(and let’s not forget your love of “cos-tumers”…your Auntie Chupchake sure knew what SHE was doing when she brought you all those super-hero’s!!)

I love you {____________________________________________} this much…ALL the time!

Brando

You are my little Jimmy…you look like him and you are pretty happy to keep to yourself!  You love books and making messes and you stiffen your body to the caliber of SuperMan when you don’t get your way!  You cry like you lost a toe when your feelings are hurt, but that is not very often.  You lead with your head when you walk and are not afraid of any steps…you walk right down ‘em!  You love your brothers, and while Trevor used to be a bit of a “mama’s boy”, you’ve gladly taken over that role in recent weeks!  You are headstrong and when you want something, you want it now…otherwise, you are content and happy to sit on my lap!  You are not flexible like your brother, and you like to use your right hand (as opposed to Trevor, who will be a lefty!)  You love showers with mommy and put your head on my right shoulder and wrap your little arms around me; and when I tell you I love you, you have the sweetest little noise you make and you turn your head to me with an open mouth and kiss me.  You make a run for the bathroom EVERY morning and try and nab a toothbrush before we go downstairs.  You love “balls” and point them out wherever we go!  You always tell me “UP!” and “all done”…you sign “more” for please and more and you also say water and go in Khmer!  You love to put your feet up on the tray on the BOB so that I grab them and you put your hand out to the side so I will high five you!  Your laugh is the cutest little BABY laugh my ears have heard!  I love your sweet little face and know lots of people are going to be enjoying those sweet little kisses!

Trevor…

You are my little T!  You act a lot like me too…you get pissy real easily, you get mad and walk away and then come back with tears for a kiss…then get mad again…

You have the same look in almost every photo now and when I DO take your photo…I have to make it so you can see yourself on the camera.  You are stubborn, sweet and loving…if not a little too particular about what you want (already???!!!).  You love soccer and you kick and throw as a lefty.  You kiss with puckered lips and smile after each kiss!  You love going bye bye and grab your shoes and crawl into the BOB jogger for our daily runs!  You have a big infectious laugh and think physical “comedy” is the funniest!  You are the most flexible little guy I’ve ever seen!  You point out when someone has made a “meh” (aka, mess) and shake your little finger, “No, no, no!”.  You say “dah” and it can mean please, thanks and up.  You ask for water and say go in Khmer!  You are sweetest when you first wake up and talk to yourself until I come and get you in the morning!  You are usually the first one up…and always so happy to see me…even when without fail, you have pooped your first poo before I get up!  You have the stinkiest little toes, but smell everyone else’s feet and act like it’s those ones that stink!  You are a big helper and like to pick up your toys and wipe up messes!  You are also a little bit of a “drama king”!!!

I can’t wait for everyone back home to get to know you!!!!!