Dear Ezekiel,

This last week has almost broken me. I haven't gotten a lot of sleep. Your asthma flared up for some reason. I was up every work night for at least 30 minutes and usually around 2am giving you a breathing treatment. I was ok until Friday when all the missing sleep and no REM sleep finally caught up with me. I was a walking zombie. I haven't been that tired since you were a newborn. I didn't have your dad get up with you because it was easier for me. I am fairly even tempered when tired, your daddy, not so much. I am so thankful that the Lord blessed you with good sleep last night. I got some good sleep, too. Plus, we both got good naps today! I am hoping to feel normal by tomorrow. Being so tired, wore down my immune system, and I started to contract a cold, too. That is unusual for me, but I am thankful that you are finally feeling better.

We've been also going through a rough time with learning how to tell you no and sticking to it. I realized how inconsistent we were with you. I wondered how it happened for awhile. Then, I was reminded of how sick you have been for the last year or 2. It is really hard to reinforce rules when you go through weeks without sleeping well and just feel rotten all the time. Now, I've just realized that we have to be consistent and teach you that even though you may feel bad, you still have to behave normally and work through it.

You are so precious on most days, though. About a week after school started back, and we got back into a routine, you began to come around. You don't really need routine as your older brother does, but it still does help keep you calm when you are sick. You have the sweetest smile. Your laughter sets the room on fire (in a good way). You say things that are so incredibly cute. You are like your mom and dad in the fact that you are stubborn (and don't give up easily) and always like to be right, even if we point out that you are wrong.

Lately, you have been talking about wanting a baby. Now would be a good time for you to have a little brother or sister, but your mom and dad are not ready just yet. You know you are the baby and have your daddy wrapped around your little finger (sounds a lot like a mom and grandpa I know quite well ;) You need to be broken of "being the baby" stuff. Mom and Dad are hoping to try for a baby in about a year. I can't have horrible weeks like this with you being so sick AND have a newborn. I think you will make a good big brother like Malachi is to you, but you need some more time to grow and get better.

We enjoy our family of 4. You bring a lot more joy and laughter to the house. I'm looking forward to seeing you turn 3 and grow even more. I am so thankful that you were potty trained much earlier than Malachi. I don't think I could have taken much more of diapers. It is nice just to have to buy pull-ups for night. Saving money is good! Your personality is 10 times bigger than your size. You are resilient and do handle pain well. I am continuing to pray that the Lord heals you of your asthma. It is not fair that you should have such a hard time breathing.

I love you, Ezekiel Luke! You are everybody's baby, and that is ok, for now. God has blessed us so much by giving us you. You were quite the unexpected blessing. I wouldn't want to have life without you. God knew just what we needed when he loaned you to us. You are a wonderful son! Keep singing and dancing to the tune God plays for your life.

-Momma


A few Ezekiel-isms for the road...

• "My legs is skinny." - My legs are dry (I don't get that one)
• "bur-tay" - birthday
• "zee-kee-ole" - Ezekiel
• "say-same" - same (still one of my favorites)
• "week" - Wii
• "Passer Ranny" - Pastor Randy
• "Miss Ronica" - Mrs. Veronica