Five.

Dear Hans,
Today you are five. I know you have waited for this day for weeks. The excitement was almost too much for you. I, on the other hand am wishing I could slow everything down. You are growing too fast for my liking and I feel the shifting to a more mature Hans. The day you were born was such an exciting day. The first grandchild on the Lindgren side. You had nearly the whole family waiting for you in the waiting room. They slept there all night and your dad was so proud to announce that you arrived. Your dad was very nervous and was trying to get a little rest when you came. You were born during the Price is Right Showcase Showdown. You didn't wait for the doctor and the nurse knew she had not listened to me and didn't come near. That was okay though, all we have ever needed is each other. You are the third in a line of Johannes Peter Lindgrens. I am constantly amazed at how much you resemble both your dad and grandfather. Some your dad and a lot your grandpa. It's funny sometimes when your grandpa is being silly or telling a story that I can see you. My love for both of these men has grown exponentially due to my love for you. You are such a fun boy. You are willing to do anything for a laugh. I must have 60 or so photos of you in fake beards or mustaches. Some both. You have always been this way and your brother and sisters love to just watch you. Dinnertime is your time to shine and I usually have to feed you again before bed since you were busy performing while we ate.
You are so special to me Hans. You made your dad and I a family. I cannot imagine a second without you. I am so excited for you to go to Kindergarten this year and make friends, but I will mourn the time I am missing with you. You somehow know how I am feeling and always say something to make me feel better. You like to get in our bed and snuggle and you will let me hold you whenever I feel the need.

Sometimes you can be very serious. Even when you are walking around with a Hershey square that stuck to your face while you were asleep. You didn't notice this for over a half an hour. You like to explain and detail things. Sometimes it seems like you never stop talking. You have started to make up your own version of Spanish and often spell things out to us, even though you don't yet know how to spell.
You love to trick me and sometimes are very convincing. I know better though, than to fall for you being asleep. You seem to never sleep. Even when I come up to check on you before I go to bed, sometimes 11 or later, you are still awake. Telling yourself a story or actually twiddling your thumbs.
You are also a very good helper. You love to spray and wipe things. When you asked Santa for your own spray bottle, I was not surprised. You like to help me cook but get a little bored sometimes. When we made Christmas cookies and I told you what our steps were you said to me "I sure am glad I don't work here." So Happy Birthday my boy! Three more candles than this photo but the same excitement. Having you has made my life so happy and fulfilling. You are my buddy, I hope that we will always have a relationship as close as we are today. I love you Hans. That's all I can say.