Super J Turns 4.

This amazing and wonderful child is four years old today.

On the eve of each of my kids birthdays I find myself thinking of the birth of that child - the anniversary of that special moment. The moment when they left my body, ceased to me all mine and I had to begin to share them with the world. The consolation for giving them up (apart from relief from pregnancy,) is that I start to discover who they are and what they will bring to our family.

Jacob - 4 days old.

Here are a few of the things I have learned (and love) about Jacob over the past 4 years -

He is very affectionate, and is always the first to give hugs, kisses & snuggles.

He needs to learn things for himself - (no matter how many times I say "Please don't bang on the window screen, it will fall out" - he will keep doing it until it falls, and then look surprised that it did.)

He is very social, and loves to play with others & make friends.

He has inherited my tendency to obsess over one thing almost to the exclusion of all else (sorry buddy.)

He is attracted to water. Really. Pool, hose, ocean, lake, river, stream, running from the tap in the bathroom. He loves to play, splash, and generally make a mess in water.

Even though play might often get rough with his sisters, he is the first to defend them against an outsider.

He is strong and athletic and loves to run, swim and play soccer.

Jacob's smiles are delightful, but if he's really pleased with something, he'll give a little tight- lipped grin.

He really likes to be outside. Really, really likes to be outside - as in 6am in his pj's in the rain outside.

Which reminds me - there is no lock, door or barricade that can hold the kid. He is Houdini.

He loves to eat. He really enjoys his food - he relishes it as he eats, and often makes little approving noises. Feeding Jacob is rewarding.

He wears me out every single day, and brings me new experiences and so much joy I think I could burst!

Rebekah and Emily admiring their new brother.

I have this picture on my desk. It's one of my favorites, because it reminds me of the feeling in our house at that time. I think it can be best described as pure bliss. I think that it comes after the birth of every baby - that wonderful feeling of newness, and joy. When you let everything else be unimportant, and revel in your newborn. Somehow with Jacob that feeling seemed intensified. We really were all so delighted he was here, and the whole family just focused on adoring him. When I look back over some of the most beautiful times in my life, October 2004 will be right up there with the very best of them.