Jonathan,
It's hard to believe it's only been three years since you and your twin brother arrived. We still haven't had that first birthday party where we celebrate surviving your first year, maybe next year. Somehow having a big party for surviving the first four years seems like it's more suitable, since we often say that you two are going to be the death of us, maybe by next year parenting twins won't feel so much like pure survival.
It appears that I forgot to write you two a birthday letter last year, but there are some things from your first birthday letter that haven't changed. You are still a wild child, who is affectionate with me and Will, but very few others. Even your older siblings don't always merit kisses and hugs in your mind, though you are always happy to oblige them by wrestling with them. Before one you had defeated your first baby gate with some help from Will. You still tackle life with all the force and energy you can muscle up. You throw yourself whole heartedly into things that you have no business getting into. You and Will are both still peas in a pod, look-a-likes who enjoy each other's company above all things.
At three your sleep is still horrendous. We have recently overhauled bedtime. You now get your gummy vitamins in bed, someone sits with you for 10 to 15 minutes and then we leave the room before you fall asleep. There was much protesting the first night we didn't stay in the room for 45 minutes until you fell asleep, but it's some better now. Neither of the two of you will sleep without the other. One night when Will was sick and throwing up, you didn't want to sleep without him until we put you in bed with Ruth, and still you complained. You are still getting up in the middle of the night, and waking up Will too, before climbing in bed with an older sibling or us. I seriously hope that your sleep improves soon.
Your favorite toys are still cars and balls. You are often driving something around the house, little hot wheels cars, the Tonka truck you got for Christmas or a Hess truck. But you have recently developed a liking for simple puzzles. You still don't want me to read to you, but you occasionally will look at books. Pokemon is one of your favorite shows, but you also like Dinosaur King and Cocomelon. They have replaced Go Dog Go as the go to show of choice.
You are finally beginning to talk in the last 3 or 4 months. You will sometimes mimic words, though they sound nothing like the word you are mimicking. You occasionally string words together by saying things something you want followed by please, like "milk please". Much of your speech is still grunting and pointing, carrying us to show us what you want rather than telling us. Screaming when frustrated and not understood is still the fall back of choice for you. Hopefully with more speech therapy that will improve.
Speaking of speech therapy, you will be starting to school on Tuesday for speech therapy. I'm nervous for how you will do. I imagine it will feel a lot like I have abandon you with complete strangers. I've never left any of you kids with someone that I've not personally known and vetted, and so it is a big step for me too. I also worry how you will do apart from Will, since you cried when we left him for your testing and then refused to cooperate with the tester. Hopefully Will will be quickly approved and the two of you won't be apart for long.
Jonathan, you are the spice in our life, an loving boy who is a noisy delight to have around. We are so glad that God saw fit to put you in our family. The relationship that you two have with each other and the joy that you bring to our family as individuals is beautiful to behold. You have definitely been the biggest and best surprise of my life. Daddy and I love you very much,
Love, Momma
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