4

Four.
Yesterday was Quinton's birthday. I can't even believe that it has been four years since the nurses first placed my baby in my arms. I remember so many things about the day leading up to his birth. Quinn was born on a Monday around 6:30pm. The day before was Easter, an unusually early Easter. We had spent the afternoon at Dan's parents. When we got home we walked a few miles to get a Redbox movie, stopped by a friends house and went home. I remember feeling pretty regular contractions to whole time but thinking it was just because we were walking. We made some popcorn when we got home, I put up my feet and we watched a horrible movie. I remember turning off the movie in the middle because it was so bad and I was starting to get uncomfortable. We finally headed to the hospital a little before midnight. It wasn't until 6:30 pm the next day that he was born and I heard the words, "It's a boy." Dan and I both thought that he was going to be a girl but were thrilled with our healthy little boy. I think it goes without saying, but it was a long day and the whole time I kept wishing that I had eaten something more substantial for dinner. Since we missed dinner at the hospital, Dan's parents dropped us off Subway. Ever since that day Subway always has a special place in my heart and it always makes me think of Quinn's birth day. I've missed dinner with every one of my children's births. I'm always so jealous of people that have early morning births and they get to take advantage of the whole day at the hospital!

I don't think I could ever comprehend the love that I would feel for my Quinn. I don't think I could ever comprehend how much my life would change. I don't think that I could comprehend how much my heart would delight in my son.

Quinton's first week. I just want one more snuggle with him like that!Quinton's 1st birthdayRight around his second birthday. Near his third birthday.My parents came on Thursday to celebrate our 4 year old. Quinn got to open his gift from them when they got here. They bought him an AWESOME bike. Huffy, with flames on it. We wanted him to open it early so that he could show off while they were here. Aunt Kelly got him a helmet to go with it. Adult size for his big Rude head. I'm sad that I don't have any pictures of him riding it yet but he has taken off. He has this huge proud smile the whole time he is riding it. You have to encourage him to pay attention because he wants to glance back at people and make sure they are watching him. He is such a hot shot on his new bike.We celebrated A LOT yesterday. Quinn was thrilled to have Nana and Papa here and Dan was not speaking this week at church so he got to spend much of the day with us as well.

An excited smile was across his whole face when he woke up. His only question was, "Will my name still start with Q even when I'm four?" Dan had some meetings in the early morning but came home while we were eating breakfast with a present for him to open. After breakfast we played for a while and headed to Caribou.

If you are not already aware, my family has a slight Caribou addiction.

This was Quinton's first Caribou visit at only a few days old. Quinn looks excited doesn't he.Four years later and we are still loving it! Only now things get a little more expensive when we go. More mouths to feed.Four years, plus three more children and this is what our Caribou outings look like now.After Caribou it was off to the park to swing, slide and go down by the river to throw rocks. Back home for lunch, biking, naps, although Quinn opted out of his nap. He didn't want to miss a minute of Nana and Papa time or his birthday. When everyone was awake we walked to Dairy Queen for ice cream, the more playing, dinner on the deck, more playing before everyone, including Nana and Papa, passed out! I'm pretty sure it was a perfect day. Perfect weather, perfect company, perfect 4th birthday for my favorite oldest son. I had requested a Grow Board from my dad and as always he came through. We had a grow board growing up. We always got measured on our birthday. It was always so fun to see how much we had grown and how we compared to each other at the same age. My dad even marked where I was at my different ages on the board so we can compare and see how tall I was at different ages. What a guy! Quinn came in an inch less than I was at age 4. I'm pretty sure he will surely pass me up in size!Dan and I quite regularly talk about what an wonderful boy we have. He is growing up so fast. I can start tearing up at just how quickly four years have gone. Delighting in my son daily. Blessed beyond words to be the momma of such an incredible four year old.