Dear Peanut,
Happy 4th birthday!
This is the first birthday that you've eagerly anticipated in advance. For the past few months, you've been telling everyone who crosses your path that you're almost four. Now, the big day has finally arrived and when you woke up this morning, you ran into our bedroom yelling, "I'm four! I'm four! Yippee!"
Every year that goes by, I tell myself how much I love the age that you are. For the past year, I've been telling your mother how we should always have a three-year old in the house. It's such a fun age. However, the great thing about being your dad is that I have the feeling that I'll be saying this about you for as long as you live.
Peanut...Four is an amazingly fun age and when I look back at these times, here are just a few of the things I'll want to remember about you now:
- You're an incredibly affectionate child. Walking in the streets with you is like walking around with the Mayor. Every time we run into one of our neighbors, the UPS guy, the dry cleaner or one of your little friends, you howl with delight and immediately run to greet them with giant bear hugs and tender kisses on the cheek. You spread a lot of joy to a lot of people.
- You're still mostly in the "I'm only going to wear dresses" phase. However, you also love throwing on a pair of jeans, your Timberlands, and a leather jacket. Whenever you wear that outfit, you always turn to us and say, "Don't I look tough, guys?" You're like Construction Worker Barbie.
- You've certainly inherited my love of food. One of your favorite activities is cooking with daddy and, for a four-year-old, you're surprisingly good at it. Your favorite dish to cook together is homemade tortellini with butter, Parmesan, pancetta, and peas. Your favorite dish to eat at a restaurant is Unaju (Japanese eel over rice.) And your favorite drink is Mango Lassi from the local Indian restaurant. You really are a true New Yorker.
- We don't know where it comes from but you speak English with the cutest little Brooklyn accent. Sometimes, just for kicks, I'll say a sentence and have you repeat it. Suddenly, "put the water over there" becomes "put da watah ovah dere." I feel like I'm living with Joe Pesci.
- I love having conversations with you. The things that come out of your mouth are hysterical. Last week, you turned to me and said, "Hey, you want to see something really cool?" When I said, "Sure, dude," you rolled your eyes at me and replied, "Seriously? Don't call me dude, dude!"
- Speaking of conversation, you are firmly planted in that phase where you do not stop talking...EVER! It's hilarious putting you on the phone with one of your grandparents and watching you confuse the hell out of them with 45 minutes of non-stop non sequiturs. "I watched a movie today. Do you like porcupines? What are you eating for dinner? Julia is going to Chicago. What's your Halloween costume? I like yogurt."
- You've really matured this year as you've come to realize that life is not all about an endless supply of apple cider and Hello Kitty stickers. Aside from losing your grandfather and being a tormented Mets fan, you constantly have to hear your father answer all your questions with "because we're in a recession, that's why!"
But in all seriousness, Peanut, I can't even begin to express how much your mother and I both love you. You've brought so much joy and happiness to our lives that it's changed all of us in ways that we could never imagine. I wish I were a better writer so I could better convey all of this. But I'm not.
So today, on your 4th birthday, let me just humbly say thanks to you one more time.
Thanks for coming into our world and filling our lives with more meaning than we ever could have imagined. You've taught us that, at the end of the day, the only things that truly matter in life are love, family and a bowl of chocolate pudding.
Thanks for reminding me to live in the moment. You've taught me to not be so consumed by the past or the future and to enjoy every second in life to the fullest.
Thanks for letting me see the world again through your eyes. Watching your eyes widen as you discover or experience something for the first time reminds me of all the beauty in this world. Sometimes, I forget.
Thanks for reminding me how far a warm kiss and a big hug can go in cheering someone up.
Thanks for teaching me that, although there are many different kinds of love, there is no true love like the one a father has for his child.
Have a great birthday, Peanut. You really are a "big girl" now. Your mother and I continue to be amazed at the person you're becoming and can't wait to see how the rest of your story unfolds.
Love,
Daddy
P.S. Though the Mets season ended early last week (once again,) you never gave up hope. Even in the face of defeat and exhausted by a long night that had you up way past your bedtime, you tried your best to rally the troops. As a group of forlorn fans sat miserably on the tracks waiting for the train, you sat there in your hot dog food coma and never gave up hope. That's one of the many reasons why I love you, kiddo.Don't worry. We'll get 'em next year.
Mets 2008: Amor caecus est! from Pierre Kim on Vimeo.
happy birthday beautiful!
Posted by: Su | October 06, 2008 at 01:14 PM
The Peanut is soooo adorable and absolutely gorgeous. No wonder she's got you wrapped around her little finger. Hope she has a great birthday with mommy and daddy!
Posted by: Leora | October 06, 2008 at 01:17 PM
What a touching tribute by a great dad. I've just discovered your blog recently and I'm enthralled by all your stories about fatherhood and life in NYC. I'm halfway through your archives and am loving every minute of it. Happy birthday, Peanut!
Posted by: Andrea P. | October 06, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Pierre, she sounds amazing. Happy forth birthday to the Peanut!
Posted by: Issa | October 06, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Happy Birthday, Peanut! 4 is a blast, live it!
Posted by: Captain Dumbass | October 06, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Mmm. Mango Lassi. I know the best place to get a mango lassi here so if Peanut comes to visit, we're set.
Happy Birthday! I hear 4 IS a great age. Here's to many more years of love, family AND chocolate pudding!
Posted by: Mama Nabi | October 06, 2008 at 01:50 PM
I'm 28 and I don't know how to cook homemade tortellini with butter, Parmesan, pancetta, and peas. Maybe the Peanut can give me cooking lessons?
Posted by: Noelle | October 06, 2008 at 01:54 PM
happy birthday!
Posted by: jeramy | October 06, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Four is a GREAT age, MD. And you're right. It does keep getting better and better. Happy birthday to the Peanut!
Posted by: Nick | October 06, 2008 at 01:55 PM
... Meanwhile in California a 4 year old Dodger fan continues to unwrap his birthday present ;)
Happy birthday Peanut, have a great one.
Posted by: 3boys1mommy | October 06, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Hey, my kid's birthday is today too! I haven't had a chance to write anything though. Think I could just copy this post and TELL her I wrote it?
Guess not.
Posted by: NG | October 06, 2008 at 01:58 PM
I brought my 7 year old up from Virginia for the last weekend at Shea. Fortunately we had tickets for the Saturday game (when Santana pitched the best game of his career on 3 days rest).
Listening to Sunday's game on XM as we drove home was not a pleasant experience. You just knew that once they pulled Perez it was all over.
There's always next year. Surely they can't do collapse three times.
Posted by: Jeff St Real | October 06, 2008 at 02:03 PM
4-Year-Olds are crazy fun. Remember to laugh. Forget rules. Etc.
Posted by: Black Hockey Jesus | October 06, 2008 at 02:08 PM
My daughter is almost 4 and she too is in that WILL.NOT.SHUT.UP phase. Sometimes she'll be talking to me and I'll walk out of the room. When I come back 10 minutes later, I'll find her still talking because she hadn't noticed that I'd left. It cracks us up.
Happy birthday to the Peanut!
Posted by: Jeff R. | October 06, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Ahh yes, one of life's most important lessons---how to accept the agony of being a lifelong Mets fan. I'm 43 and I still haven't accepted it. Welcome to the club, Peanut. Have a great birthday!
Posted by: Mookie! | October 06, 2008 at 02:27 PM
AAAWWWW. How sweet! Happy Birthday, Peanut!! I hope it was one of the best!
Posted by: Vicki | October 06, 2008 at 02:55 PM
What a cutie. I want to see video of the Pesci impression! My twin boys just turned four, and I agree it is a magical age. Have fun!
Posted by: Raging Dad | October 06, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Happy birthday kiddo. You make me laugh all the time and I've never even met you.
Posted by: Hygiene Dad | October 06, 2008 at 04:26 PM
too cute!
Posted by: Mary | October 06, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Ouch, that was so lovely.
I have a very difficult three year old who is way too cute for her own good and has her daddy totally wrapped around her little finger.
You totally summed it up right there.
Absolutely beautiful words. I really hope you had a great day together.
Posted by: Tara@From Dawn Till Rusk | October 06, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Happy birthday Peanut!
Posted by: Penguin | October 06, 2008 at 07:31 PM
That is one tired little girl. I bet some cotton candy and a 42-ounce Coke would have perked her up, though!
Happy Birthday Peanut!
And Happy 4th anniversary of Parenthood, MD and BL!
Posted by: JJ Daddy-O | October 06, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Damn you, I am a weepy, sniffling mess. Well said.
Posted by: moma3 | October 06, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Happy birthday, Peanut!
Posted by: Holmes | October 06, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut! With the arrival of Peanut's birthday, my Genna turns four in just four months. Awesome.
Posted by: misfithausfrau | October 06, 2008 at 08:13 PM
i love your blog! you are HA-larious. seriously-you need to write a screenplay or something. your stories make me laugh so darn hard, but yet cause mascara to run down my face. dang that waterproof mascara...it does not always work!
thank you for the laughs. happy b-day to your baby girl!
kelley
Posted by: kelley chapman | October 06, 2008 at 09:17 PM
Happy birthday beautiful girl!
I'm impressed that you enjoyed this past year of 3-dom. I just assumed that all men made appointments with their urologists when their children were 3.
That's a testament to how special the peanut really is.
Posted by: KC | October 06, 2008 at 10:17 PM
And I thought 2 was the best age ever! For the last several months, I've been telling anyone who says "Terrible Twos" to eat a dick.
Glad I have something to look forward to now: four.
Posted by: muskrat | October 06, 2008 at 10:26 PM
When I come to NYC, can Peanut take me out to dinner?
And don't feel bad about the Mets. Chris had Ada so pro-White Sox that today she was insisting that they won. Poor deluded child.
Posted by: nonlineargirl | October 06, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut!
And I'm totally going to teach my kids to yell...
"Steve Garvey's not MY Padre!"
Not sure other Padres fans will enjoy it, but I'll giggle.
Posted by: Matthew | October 06, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Happy Birthday Peanut!!
I am so happy that you have such loving parents that appreciate and cultivate your unique personality.
Dude, I call everyone DUDE!
How freaking adorable.
Thank you for sharing the joy of parenthood and fatherhood with us. Peanut has brought so much joy to my life and I've never even met her.
Posted by: Ang | October 07, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Happy birthday to Peanut! Congrats on turning FOUR!
Posted by: Elaine | October 07, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Happy Birthday Peanut.You are adorable and a lady with an attitude and I am glad your parents are letting those qualities flourish.
Posted by: Tania | October 07, 2008 at 09:19 AM
I wish my dad wrote letters like that to me. You're a great dad, MD!
Posted by: Tina C. | October 07, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Beautifully put, MD.
Happy birthday, Peanut!
PS: I can't wait to read the birthday message when she turns I-hate-both-of-you-13. Good times.
Posted by: Paige Jennifer | October 07, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Happy Birthday, La Peanut!
Posted by: halfmama | October 07, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Happy birthday, Peanut! And happy birthday to Boss Lady too! And to you, MD--you're the best dad the Peanut could ever hope for. She's adorable and wonderful and you're a better writer than you think and an excellent father.
Also, what's with the accent? After Mama and 3B were trapped for nine hours in LaGuardia, he had a Brooklyn accent for a week...which doesn't even make sense, since LaGuardia is in Queens.
Posted by: Papa Bradstein | October 07, 2008 at 12:07 PM
It's so fun watching her grow up. As a single lurker on your blog, I love coming here because you make parenting seem like so much fun. I hope to have my own version of "the Peanut" one day. Happy birthday!
Posted by: Janelle | October 07, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Happy Birthday to the Peanut!!!!
She is a wonderful kid....How do I know?
She speaks Brooklynese! Luv HER!
Posted by: Nineteen69 | October 07, 2008 at 03:45 PM
What a beautiful birthday post. I look forward to such wonderful years with my own daughter.
Posted by: Courtney | October 07, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Simply a beautiful post. It embodies all the reasons I blog for my own kids. Thanks for the (continued) inspiration.
Happy Birthday Peanut.
Posted by: Steve | October 07, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Happy birthday to the Peanut! You're lucky to have such a fun dad.
Posted by: Eliza | October 07, 2008 at 06:03 PM
So sweet, M.D. Oh the joys.
Posted by: Kathy | October 07, 2008 at 08:20 PM
What a beautiful love letter to your daughter. She sounds adorable! I especially like the bit about Construction Worker Barbie, though I hope she doesn't spit and curse too much. ;)
Posted by: Kia (Good Enough Mama) | October 07, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Get used to hearing it - she *is* a special kid, and you are the lucky owners of a special edition. Happy B-Day, P-Nut.
Posted by: Velma | October 07, 2008 at 11:30 PM
hey..how's it going?
i just discovered your blog recently and i am terribly addicted to it! you're a brilliant writer and i love how passionate you are about being a father. hope you had a great birthday with your daughter...happy birthday peanut! :)
Posted by: racheal | October 08, 2008 at 12:06 AM
My little bear turns 4 next week. Thank goodness 3 1/2 is over ! This is the first year she has really looked forward to her birthday. It will be a blast! We just bought season passes to Disney World. Now I can't get that Small World song out of my head. Oh, now you can't either. Sorry!
Posted by: tracy | October 08, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Happy birthday to your little girl! My little girl will be turning 3 in about a week's time. One thing I try to keep in mind, sang by Bono (U2):
"Baby slow down. The end is not as fun as the start. Please stay a child somewhere in your heart."
Here's hoping yours grows, but not too quickly! Let's let our kids enjoy their childhoods!
Posted by: Arthur | October 08, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Happy Birthday and awesome post! It made me laugh and almost made me cry. I can tell that you love her and I love reading your blog. My daughter turns three this weekend and I might have to put something together like this.
Posted by: Tyler @ Building Camelot | October 08, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Happy 4th birthday, Peanut!
And you're right, MD. It keeps getting better at every age.
Posted by: Melanie | October 08, 2008 at 04:53 PM