Happy 6th Birthday to my William!

6 years ago today, the most beautiful boy I had ever seen was placed on my chest. My William. He was 7 pounds, 6 ounces and born exactly on his due date.

My friend Christine wrote a beautiful birthday note to her daughter, Laurel that really touched my heart… that letter is the inspiration for this one.

So to my beautiful William… a letter.

Your first year, everything was new to Daddy and I. We were all living in NYC trying to make the City work as parents  We’d never known it that way before. We would stroll you around in this obnoxiously big stroller that the doormen at our building deemed “the tank.” You made us laugh and giggle and see life a whole different way. You’d only eat while in the tub (I have photos to prove it). You loved watching the Gilmore Girls. And when you were 3 1/2 months old… we found out you were going to be a big brother!

Your second year, we decided to move out of NYC. You WERE now a big brother to Alexander, and you just loved him so much. Even at 12 months old, you instinctively knew that he was your “baby.” You would just sit and watch him, which used to melt my heart. Moving to Rhode Island brought you a whole new world. You had a backyard. You had your own bedroom. You had room to roam and run and play. As your mom, this warmed my heart. I felt you were getting exactly what Daddy and I had growing up, and that excited us. It was what we knew. You also found out that year that you were going to be a big brother again!

Your third year brought you something that changed your life… school. We enrolled you into a preschool program that just changed you so much! You loved going to school and seeing your friends and swimming and playing. That first day we dropped you off, I sobbed. You were so little, and I was so scared… but when we picked you up and you had a smile from ear to ear, I knew we made the right decision. This was the first time you ever mentioned a girl… Carly. And this was the first time you realized Daddy and your brothers would tease you relentlessly over a girl. But you always knew I wouldn’t, and I never will.  This was also the year you became the big brother to your 3rd brother!

Your forth year, you began to really be a boy. You had friends. You were the biggest brother and started to really look after Alexander and Benjamin. You loved to read and write and draw. You loved to swim and race around the house. You also began to see your mom in a different way… not pregnant. I could chase you at full speed and do piggy back rides and swim with you fast in the pool. We began to realize just how much you love to learn this year… everything you saw you questioned and wanted to know how it worked. This made Daddy’s life!

Your fifth year, brought on so much… swim team for the very first time and KINDERGARTEN! My heart soared as I saw you walk off into school. We had prepared you the best way we could… and you were very excited. You came into your own this year, becoming such a big boy. Little things that are big marks in my book… going into the locker room and changing on your own, making your own PB&J sandwich, helping me clean the kitchen and living room. My little buddy.

And now your sixth year… you’re still young enough where you hold my hand in public and kiss me good-bye in front of everyone as you head into school. I know time will change this for a little bit… I don’t want it to, so I’m cherishing every moment right now. You grew up quickly having 3 brothers so close behind you, you really never just got to be the king of the kingdom… but it’s made you who you are. A loving, caring, kind and sweet little man. I love you so much, William, and I hope that your sixth year brings you all the happiness and love and laughter that I hope for you. Thank you for being you… but most of all, thank you for choosing me to be your mom.

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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5 Comments

  1. 9.25.10

    Oh Audrey, I love this and feel all of your love for William in this post. Happy Birthday William!

    Also, you know, whenever I see/think of him, I think of him as “my William” (in your voice, not mine!) not just “William” since I always envision the pride and love you feel for him. xoxo Christine

  2. 9.25.10
    Kim said:

    Happy 6th Birthday William! I’ve never met you but I’ve now learned about you through this wonderful letter from your Mom, which you will treasure one day. You are the oldest, like me, and that is quite a special place to be in a family. You are leading the way and your brothers, although they may not always admit to it, will always look up to you. It seems as though you have already shown you are a big brother to admire. Welcome to your sixth year in the world William – I hope it’s one of the best ever!

  3. 9.25.10
    admin said:

    William… you light up my life with your wonder and curiosity and laughter and beauty and generosity and LOVE. I LOVE YOU forever and ever… and I always have! xoxoxox!!!!!! Grandma

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