Milo turned 7 yesterday.
He woke up, came upstairs to our bed where I lay with Oliver and Emil already snuggled in tight for our morning hug-fest, which has become routine lately. Before his messy blond head even cleared the top of the stairs, his brothers and I sang out (a bit too loudly) “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MILO!!!” to which he replied in a dazed sweet voice, “I’m seven.”
Yes, buddy, you are seven!
Andrew came home soon after with a surprise hot chocolate and cinnamon roll as a special treat since Milo would be spending the whole day at school for his birthday.
Hours later, Andrew and I sent nearly identical messages to each other at practically the exact same moment. Something heartfelt and sappy about how we were thinking of the very same moment seven years ago, about becoming parents for the very first time. The emotions tied up with Milo’s birthday will forever be monumental for us. And yes, it seems unfair to our other children in a way, but Milo’s birthday is also ours and so special in a different way. Milo’s birthday represents the birth of our own parenthood, one of the most defining moments in our lives.
And so, for better or for worse, our first child has carved the way for his brothers. Our guinea pig, our test subject over the years. We have learned with him how we want to parent, how to let go and how to nurture all at once.
Milo, our fiery, sensitive, incredibly smart, amazingly athletic boy. Our only blond-haired, blue-eyed slender and tall boy. Our sometimes brooding introvert who needs alone time at least once a day, but needs help remembering that. Our thoughtful boy who jumps to help his youngest brother with anything and everything, who helps his middle brother mostly by cheering him on, encouraging and challenging him like no one else can. He is a crucial piece to our family and we wouldn’t be the same without his insights and laughter.
Milo, as you turn seven, I will lay down your favorites so that you might look back with fondness and remember this year. Your favorite activities lately are reading and climbing things (including door frames). You are incredibly strong and sometimes a little cocky. We are working on humility, which you do an incredible job discussing and understanding. You eat peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches and apples every day for lunch, and graciously eat any dinner we put in front of you (even when we can tell you don’t like it, you still say thank you). Your favorite place is still the City Museum, where we will be taking you this weekend.
Milo, we cannot say just how much we love you. Thank you, my lovely boy, for just being you.
Happy birthday Milo! This made me a teary first thing in the morning. You have such a sweet family, and what a beautiful boy he is.
Off to catch up with your week’s adventures….
Happy Birthday, Milo! Beautiful post, Lauren.
awww what a kid! Happy Birthday Milo!
Happy Birthday, Milo, and Happy Birth Day to you, Lauren and Andrew!
You are a wonderful family, and I could not say who is more awesome, your kids or you as parents!
Happy Birthday Milo may you have many more surrounded with such a loving family!
Happy Birthday Milo! Lauren – I love what you wrote about the meaning of his birthday for you and Andrew and how he has paved the way for his brothers. I had a similar sentiment yesterday – I was looking at a picture that a friend posted of her holding her brand new baby three years ago (she has since had another). There is nothing quite like feeling your first baby placed on your chest for the first time – warm, soft, and clammy. Of course it was wonderful with Wren too – but with her, I knew what to expect. I knew how amazing that moment would be. With Gloria, the raw emotion that came with feeling the weight of her on my chest for the first time was so new and unexpected. It has always been the perfect marker of the beginning of parenthood for me. (P.S. Milo looks so grown up in these pictures!)
Happy Birthday, Milo!
Love,
Your old buddy Joe and his family.
We’ll always thinking of you dancing in our kitchen. Or jumping in “old park,” which by the way is closed for renovation….
Happy birthday Milo!!
I love these birthday tributes. They’re sweet but spot on and will be fun to reflect back on each year.
happy birthday, milo! what a gorgeous post!
Happy birthday, Milo!! What a beautiful boy and piece you wrote. I, too, get extremely sentimental whenever I think of my first days as a mother!
this brought me to tears. it’s been too long since i caught up with you guys on here, and, well, how are they 7? how? he’s a special boy with a special family. we’re lucky to have had a couple of years at the old park.
maybe we’ll jump off a table at the new one when they open it back up. all of us. just for you, milo.
So much love to you mama. I really do feel like they day of our own girls birth was my birthday too…the moment I began on the road to the person I am truly meant to be. Love seeing what you and your incredible crew are up to. Happy (belated) birthday to Milo and your entire family too!