Dear Colin (3 year old)

Dear Colin,
  You turn 3 today. I can't believe it. I have no idea where the time has gone! You are a happy boy and have brought so much joy and smiles to anyone who gets to know you.
   You weigh a little over 40 lbs. And are pretty tall, I think they said about 42 inches the last time they measured you. You love to eat and can eat more than your sister and do most days. Your favorite food is corn dogs, milk shakes and rice krispies
   Your favorite thing to do is play cars. You run around the house making race car noises and any time you can pick a movie to watch it is Cars or Cars 2.
   You love music and are constantly singing songs, or pretending/playing some type of musical instrument.
   In just the last week you decided that you didn't want to wear diapers anymore. You have now been in underwear a week, you are fully potty trained, however we are struggling with number 2. You will get it. I know you will.
     You love your family with everything you have but are so stubborn at times you drive us crazy. If it isn't your idea we can forget it, you won't do it. Every time we enter the hospital you win over the doctors and nurses within the first few minutes of meeting you. You don't fight but you won't talk to them either. You give them a smile every now and then, and once you warm up to them they all comment on how cute you are and how you are such a good patient.
    You just recovered from pneumonia number 12. It is hard to see you sick so often but you don't let it bother you. I think it bothers me twice a much as it bothers you. We are hoping that within the next few months things will turn around for you.
   Your sister is one of your best friends and you will follow her around and do anything she asks you too. You will also stand up for her. Once a few months ago she got in trouble and she ha
d to go say sorry to her teacher. You walked with her and held her hand while she did it.
   In swim you are now in the big boy class and are starting to swim more and more by yourself. You aren't up for swimming the length of the pool yet but are in the deep end.
     Colin you have made me a better mom and a stronger person. You have taught me how to stand up for what I know is right. In the past year I have learned how to take care of PICC lines and talk in terms I never dreamed I would even know. I do it because I love you and I want only the best for you. People constantly tell me what a strong person I am. But really I don't think it is me that is strong, it is you. No matter what happens you get back up and try again. You are determined little boy and have so much fight in you. You will be able to accomplish anything you put your mind to in your life time.
  I am one lucky mom to get to call you my son and I love you so very much. I look forward to watching you grow over the next year.

Love,
Mommy