"You took a strong love for baseball this past season and  commiserate with GG about the status of how the beloved Blue Jays are doing. Vladdy jr. has your heart and you practice your swing in front of the T.V while he's up to bat. Once ball season and summer were in the rear view mirror you started little Rascals hockey, and once you gained some skating confidence, it is evident that love for hockey also flows through your veins. You've met some great friends already through these endeavours  and you've formed a genuine connection with your coach who is nothing short of amazing. Goodness, I love watching you learn, practice, improve and be passionate about things."

"All your friends arrived to the dark beach, and then the heavy rain clouds over head burst, and the rain began to pour down. ONE firework survived and decided to cooperate-- exploding one large bang of green into the sky, the crowd on the beach cheered. You and all your friends thought it was the best thing ever, waving your glow sticks in the rain we sang happy birthday and you blew out the candles on your spiderman cake. While us adults maybe reflect on that as a bust, you and your pals thought it was the best thing ever."

"As I was gathering my thoughts and perceptions of who you are as a three year old in order to write this annual letter to you, I wrote three words to describe current you Benen. They were: Kind, intuitive, and hilarious. I then asked your dad what three words he would use to describe you at present. His were: Caring, intentive and witty. Anyone who knows how to use a thesaurus can see that these are practically the same attributes. You are true to who are, and while I'm sure you will evolve and take on other or different qualities throughout your life these core values you naturally possess are honorable."

"Thank you for being patient with me as I find the balance and transition into being a mama of two littles. For accommodating long days spent at home doing very very little in that initial post partum physical healing period. For being as gracious, and understanding as a two year old can be as I mentally and emotionally process our new normal. I feel a little guilty that Charlie will never have all my attention all the time like you did, but she also gets your added love and attention right from day one-- such a lucky girl."

"You are kind, brave, smart, funny, and intuitive, yet you are only two. I can only imagine how you will grow and find depth in these adjectives you already embody. This past year has incorporated some truly amazing moments. We excitedly planned exiting things for our future, and spent oodles of time making memories with family and friends. This past year has also been really really hard. You have shown me grace and provided an incredible light in the past four months through the passing of your beloved Uncle and my little brother Carter."

"Over the past twelve months I tried to document your ever-changing life to the best of my ability. I compiled each months letter and picture below to keep them safe and all in one place. To say I didn’t bawl my eyes out writing and compiling this would be a bold-faced lie, just ask your dad. I’m so obsessed with you, and will always be your number one fan. I know that one day, (hopefully not too soon) you’ll be independent and hardly need us at all; but I hope you know that we will ALWAYS need you."

"After 47 minutes, at 6:22 am on November 10th our beautiful baby was born. He was delivered right to my chest. I was in AWE, happy tears leaking down my face, Josh’s smile so big it could light up the world. No words could ever describe that feeling, that moment. After hearing those perfect first cry’s and squeaks, and audible breath sounds I realized I still didn’t know if baby was a boy or a girl; and fervently scrambled through the blankets to look."