Marcel my little man.

My darling boy, Marcel Gray, you are growing up so fast these days finding your voice and place in our family.  We have always said, you are a quiet soul, but when you are loud you are really loud and that remains to be true.   Over the past few month, you have really started using your words, talking and expressing yourself more and more each day.  It is still a language that is very much your own, but we understand all your vocabulary and sound effects and love hearing what you come up with to say.  You have a great sense of humor and are constantly making us laugh with your silly antics.  Laughter comes easily to you, and for that I am so grateful because you feel things deeply.  You are tender, affectionate, cautious and gentle.  You are definitely more like Papa in that you prefer more intimate, small gatherings with people you are comfortable with, and when in new places with new people you are a man of few words.  Even in moments of timidness you always manage to still show kindness with a little hand wave or whispered thank you.  I sure am smitten for you my boy!

A few things about you that I adore:

1. No matter where you are sitting you always have one foot crossed over the other. 
2. You continue to play with both your hair and mine as you have since you were a tiny little baby.  It's the sweetest form of affection and it calms you down instantly.
3. Chipmunk.  You like to hold your food or drinks in your mouth for minutes at a time.  
4. Singing has become something you do often, and it is the sweetest thing to hear.  At night, we sing It Is Well together in the dark of your room, and it brings me to tears almost every time. 
5. Pop is your name for Papa, and you adore him always wanting to be with him. 
6. The way you always take on a difficult task while saying, "Me big boy, Mom!  I do it myself."  
7. Watching you run and then hearing you call over your shoulder, "Me super fast!" 
8. When you want a sip or bite of something I already told you no to you ever so softly say, "Just a little bit mom. Tiny bit," while pinching your fingers together showing just how tiny you mean!
9. The tenderness you show to little babies.  You would prefer to just sit and be with a baby then play with the big kids, always sharing your toys and trying to feed them the tiniest minuscule of a crumb.  I love your heart.  
10. Your big boy friends Jude and Judah have showed you the ropes in boy world, and you have found a love for play fighting.  It is so funny to watch you jump into action and yell with great fierceness in your voice, "HHUUUH! Me fight you!"  
11. Your nigh-night is still very precious to you.  I love watching you rub it gently on your right cheek when you need a little comfort.  
12. Sports are your love language these days, especially baseball.  It's amazing to me that you can sit through an entire game and not get bored.  I can't wait to see what it is you want to play whe you are older and can guarantee I will be your biggest fan! :)  
13. You are a wonderful protector for Zaylee and I, and are always on the look out to make sure we are being treated kindly.  If you think something is happening, you quickly jump in taking initiative to make sure all is well with us.  
14. Climbing comes so easily to you, and your arm strength impresses me daily.  You have no fear anymore, but still despise the swings!  
15. Anytime I say I love you to you, no matter what it is you are doing, you quickly respond with an, "Love you too!" Followed by an, "I love you more."  My little lover boy.  
16. You love helping Papa do anything "manly" and get so excited when it involves tools.  
17. "Me watch movie now mom?"  is almost always your first question after you wake up.  
18. You adore your uncles and Grandpa's and want to be with the boys always.  You are definitely still a Mama's boy, but if the boys are around you choose them first.   
19. Your favorite song right on is "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart", and request it on repeat always.  The other day as you were singing along in the back seat you asked, "Mom, I have Jesus in my heart?"  I prayed right then that that would be true someday! 
20. Zaylee is your best friend in all the world.  You listen to everything she says and want to do everything just like her.  You love her fiercely and she feels the same about you.  
21. Every night before bed you choose something to bring with you, and most nights it's a baseball and a whistle with which you wake up in the morning and after yelling for me you let out a whistle blow before coming into our room.  
22. You are absolutely terrified of any mascot, especially the Chick-fil-a cow.  You huddle up under any arm closest to you and cautiously scan the room to know where he is at all times.  
23. Playing dress up remains to be one of you and your sisters favorite things, and you jump right in there with her always playing in your make believe worlds.  Rocket ships, pirates, baby dolls and fireman being your top choices in what to play.  
24. Firetrucks and all things "worker" are your greatest obsession and you have fondly referred to such things as "woo woo" for as long as you could say it! 
25. Nothing gets passed you and your little knack for observation.  I love watching your face pursue a situation before figuring out something is missing that you remember being there, "Hey, Mom, where'd it go?" and then realizing what is happening and quickly saying with a little smirk, "OH! there it is!" 
26. "I do it myself, Mom!" This has become your most used saying lately as you have become quite the little independent man.  

I could truly go on and on, and want to remember all the little things, but mostly I just want to remember your tenderness, your love for others, the immense joy you bring me when I see your big, beautiful eyes taking in all the things around you, the overwhelming sense of gratefulness I have that I get to be your mother and watch you learn and grow.  You are learning a lot lately about how to handle your stubbornness with obedience and I am learning a great deal in how to help you handle those bits of yourself that are difficult.  You are eager to help and are taking great strides in listening well with kind words and quick obedience.  You are a treasure my little boy, and I am so blessed to have you.

Starved Rock

We have built a strong, tight community over the past year at our church, Hope Fellowship and it has been such a blessing in all of our lives.  The people have blessed us with great friendships and encouragement and so many fun times.  At first you both were a bit reserved and took quite awhile to feel the comfort you do now, and it is so fun watching the love our friends have for you and the bond you have formed with so many people that have become dear to us.  It is such a joy to hear you express excitement when you see them each week and call them by name.

A while back we went on a day trip to Starved Rock with a group of friends, and it was such a beautiful, perfect day.  You both were such troopers, Marcel in the carrier on my back and Zaylee walking alongside us with your best buddy Jude.  Getting outside is something that is necessary for all of us, and it was so great to be with good friends.  The outdoors is where you both find great joy, and love exploring and discovering new things.  It was a taste of what we hope this summer will be filled with as we build these friendships with outings and fun times hanging out with one another.  You are both so great at going with the flow and just being easy to have around always up for anything, and we are so grateful for it!