Dawson is 4 years old!!

Dawson loved the countdown thing that we did with for the Movers concert so I decided to make him another one counting down to his birthday and birthday party.

He is really good at taking one off each day and he gets excited counting down the days. Last night as I was tucking him into bed I was getting all emotional that he was turning four the next day. Time really does fly by. As I'm playing with the kids I often picture in my head holding them as a baby and can't believe how fast they're growing up. Last night I was thinking about how on that day 4 years ago we knew that I was going to be induced the next day. We were in San Diego and my mom and grandma were there visiting, excited to meet their new grandbaby. Dave's parents would be there the next day. Me, Dave, my mom, and grandma went to dinner at The Olive Garden before me and Dave had to be at the hospital that night. The next day we would welcome one of the greatest blessings we've ever gotten into our lives. And now our baby was about to turn four years old!! I took a couple of pictures of him before bed last night. His last night as a three year old. Here he is brushing his teeth like a big boy!

He is making a heart with his hands here, we'll randomly do that to each other every now and then.

I think I asked him to make me a silly face next, looks more like a kissy face to me. :P

We were having fun. I love his little smile and laugh. He's such a happy boy!

Time to go to sleep!

While he was sleeping it was time for me to get to work! I wanted to decorate the dining room and living room. I had to blow up balloons and make him a cake! Here's a few of the decorations that we put up.

Dave got home from work and brought balloons as I was blowing up some other balloons. I was happy to have him home because I still had a lot to do! We quietly put all the balloons that we blew up in Dawson's room and I also hung up a few decorations on his wall. I wanted him to wake up in a birthday wonderland! It's hard to really see him in this picture but he's sleeping just like he used to when he was a baby, with his bum up in the air!

Dawson was the first one to wake up in the morning (at 7am) and he came running into our room and told us that he saw all the balloons that we put in his room. He was so excited!! We followed him back into his room and he told us thank you for putting all the balloons in there and then he said "this is the best birthday ever!" It completely melted my heart and made me so happy that we stayed up late putting everything together. It was so worth it to see him so happy and excited. I wish we had the video camera out to video tape him, I don't know how many times he told us it was the best birthday ever, probably at least 10 times, he was SO excited!!
He eventually made his way out to the dining room and put on his birthday hat right away. He wore it all morning.

And even though today was his birthday, we are still counting down to his birthday party!! Two more days to go!

It snowed a lot last night and as soon as Dawson noticed he wanted to go outside and play in it. Dave got him dressed and took him out while I made breakfast. Ashlynn must have smelled what I was cooking because she woke up not long after I got started. :) Here are some pictures of Dawson playing out in the snow.

They came inside right as I was finishing up making breakfast! We had blueberry pancakes, bacon, and fruit with whipped cream and sprinkles.

After breakfast Dawson got to open two presents.

He got two cars. I know you can't see what he's holding up here, but I love his face (even though the picture is blurry). He was so happy to get them!

When lunchtime rolled around I made him a special peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the shape of the number four, applesauce, and some goldfish crackers.

After lunch we sang Happy Birthday to Dawson and had some cake! Dada had to start getting ready for work soon after.

Yummy!

For dinner we had pizza with pepperonis in the shape of the number 4. Here it is before I put it in the oven.

Dawson got a kick out of all the special food we made today. I love doing it to make their birthdays just that much more special.

Dawson had a great day and had quite a few visitors! Becca and Drea stopped by to see him, he got to Skype with Pepaw and Mema who are in Hawaii right now, Papa stopped by, Arika and Travis came by, and Brandee also stopped by. He loved seeing everybody! He also got a lot of phone calls, too, he loved talking to everybody on the phone. I'll be back in a few more days with pictures from his party... before I go though I want to post a few pictures of him over the years. :)

October 2008

October 2009

October 2010

October 2011

October 2012

Happy birthday, sweet boy. No matter how old you are, you will always be my baby!! (I tell him that all the time and he always asks, "Even when I'm all growed up?" Yes, baby, even when you're all grown up. ♥ We love you!!