Dear Santiago,

Santiago,

Today you turn 2 years old.

2 years old! I can hardly believe it.

Two years ago today, I cut your umbilical cord. In doing so it saw me release the grip of your tiny little body from mine after nine long months, all the while strengthening the hold of my love for you.

Boy did it ever.

For me, it was love at first sight when the midwife passed you to me like a shrieking little football after a scrum. What I didn't know at that point is that every day following your birth I would fall a little deeper, a little more profoundly. I find something new to love about you every day. You never fail to disappoint.

You are my son.

My little man.

My "preciouth" boy, as you repeat after me with your strong lisp. You know very well that in doing so you will receive a face full of seemingly endless kisses.

We laugh about it together, you and I. Every night after I tuck you in, you seem to wait until I’ve finished the good night routine and am almost out the door before you cheekily shout out “preciouth boy!!” to get a rise out of me. Predictably I run back over to you, and we begin the kisses, giggles and night time routine all over again.

You make my heart smile. You are one of those kids that are an absolute joy to be around. Even when you are being naughty, you are still kind of funny. Your dad was telling me that one day while I was at work and you were under his care, you got in trouble off of him for being defiant. Your response to him scolding you was simply: “Woah!” with your little hand held up as if to say “Hey dude. That’s not how we do things around here.”
You are always making us laugh with your infectious personality.

Before I even get into the relationship you have with your older sisters I have to address the one in which you have with your younger sister Loren, or as you like to call her "Lorent".

It blows my mind how caring you are toward her. Even though you are only one year older than she is, you carry on and speak to her as though you are worlds more mature. Even though you can hardly speak clearly yourself, when you chat to her you revert to “baby talk” and it is hilarious and ridiculously sweet all at the same time. From a very young age Loren has been having solids, all thanks to you. You love to share your food with her. Cheese, cheerios, it doesn’t matter what the food or how young she was at the time – you have a nurturing instinct that kicks in whenever you are around her. It makes my heart explode with love and pride.

The relationship you have with your older sisters also makes me laugh. You try so hard to fit in and just be one of the girls. You succeed at it too (which exasperates your father). You are all extremely close and although don’t always get along, the love that you all have for each other is obvious. For the majority of the time the house is always filled with laughter. It feels nice to see you kids bond. It makes me feel that all is right with the world.

You have a shoe fetish.

I often find you in my shoe cupboard, wearing my shoes. I seem to think that your opinion of my shoe collection is the higher the better! Funny and infuriating at the same time, because my wardrobe is a constant mess thanks to your shenanigans.

You love to sing and dance, especially if it is anything Wiggles related. You are madly obsessed with the Wiggles. You know everyone’s name and corresponding skivvy colour, and the names of all of the mascots. The lady at your preschool told us that she has never met anyone more obsessed by the Wiggles than you. She is pretty certain you are their number one fan. I’m pretty certain you are also.

For your birthday this year I have made you a big red car cake and your gift is four official wiggles skivvies (one in each colour), a Wiggles bedspread with matching paraphernalia. Your favourite Wiggle is Jeff although “Antafeet” (Anthony) comes a close second.

Speaking of bedding, while most little children have security blankets, you have yourself a security pillow. You go everywhere with it. The cover is a red velvety-esque material and you love to feel it between your thumb and pointer finger while falling asleep. You like it because you say it’s “thoft” (soft). God you’re beautiful, little man. We couldn’t love you more if we tried.

You are the type of child that brightens up the room. People are naturally drawn to you. At first I thought it was because you are so damn gorgeous, but I think it’s more than that. Your personality shines through. You have a kind of swagger that can’t be denied. People stop me in the street to tell me just how cute you are. How the way you walk is with such purpose and attitude.

Speaking of attitude, you are beginning to get one.

What used to be “No” is now “No way!”

They call it the terrible two’s, but I know how short lived it is so I’m not in a panic. Even with this new found independence of yours, you are still undeniably a great kid. If anything your resistance makes you even cuter. You are a special boy.

Your dad always jokes that you are my favourite and I’d like to address that here and now. You are not, I repeat, not my “favourite”. I don’t have favourites with my children and I can put my hand over my heart and honestly say that. I love you kids all equally, and all for different reasons. You and I have a very special bond. You are a true mummy’s boy, and of course I feed into that. I love the fact that we are close and cuddly, that I won’t deny. I understand very well that this stage doesn’t last very long and before I know it you won’t be buying into the cuddles on the couch anymore and you won’t be running into my bedroom every morning willing me to get out of bed with your “Come on Mummy!!” I savour these moments with you because I know just how fleeting they are.

You are an amazing human being with so much potential. Everyone who has ever come into contact with you sees it. You have a light behind your eyes that shines through. I am so excited for your prospects in life because I honestly think you can reach for the stars – and actually catch them.

I will always be your biggest cheerleader in life. Along with your father and three sisters of course, who are not that far behind with their pom poms. We will always be your fan club. You are so charismatic that we honestly believe if you lead, the world will follow suit.

Santiago I love you so so so much, that words fail me at this point. Time is passing by quickly, so quickly, too quickly - and although you may be growing older in years, you will always and forever be the little man of my dreams.

Happy second birthday Santiago, "de la de la penia, de la de la penia" – may you always have love, health, happiness, and success in your life. xx