The Peanut Turns Four!

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.

Comments

[Calimommy]

Joyeux Anniversaire Peanut!! You truly are a Cutie Patootie. My little boy turned 4 in July and I still can't believe how "long" (tall) he looks in his bed when I watch him sleep at night.
You're a lucky dude to have her in your life, MD. Oh, and my son calls me "dudette" all the time. **rolls eyes** his dad taught him.

[Brent]

It's been amazing to watch the Peanut grow up into a beautiful little girl, MD. I've been following your blog and her since the early days. Hope she had a great birthday. Best wishes to all of you.

[Adam]

So damn cute! How can you ever think of dressing her up like an Olympian Chinese Gymnast??? What does she want to be?

[JDG]

Am I the only one who noticed the title of your video? Amor Caecus Est? Brilliant, MD. I guess that shows the benefits of a private-school education.

[Shannon Best]

Happy Birthday Peanut. You look great in your Mets hat. MD, you are a wonderful father.
-Shannon in Austin

[lil prince's mum]

Happy birthday peanut

[Alice]

Hi MD,
This may seem a little out of the blue as this is my first comment, but I've posted a little blog award for you. Keep up the wonderful writing. Cheers, Alice

[creative-type dad]

Happy (belated) 4th Peanut!

[jennster]

oh how sweet! my little girl will be 4 on Nov 1st and she is also anxiously awaiting the big day. so many of the things you say about peanut totally sound like my daughter. i hope you and me enjoy 4 as much as we enjoyed 3!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY PEANUT!!!

[Whit]

Happy Birthday, Peanut!

[Linda]

Happy big 4! I remember reading this blog when she really was just a tiny little Peanut :) I hope she is more pleasant than my 4 yr old daughter. Just saying...

She's adorable. Little Joe Pesci.
Does she say "two yoods?" Heh

[Kim]

I remember when my daughter was 3yrs old, she was funny without even trying. Every year, like you, I thought that it couldn't get any better. My daughter is 18yrs now and I still feel the same way.

Oh, and if the peanut needs an extra auntie, please pick me!

[mom101]

Aw a (heinously) belated but not less heartfelt happy bday to the beautiful Princess Peanut. No doubt she's already well on her way to saying that she's almost five.

[Shawn]

Incredibly cute. As the father of a awesome four-year-old girl as well, I know how awesome it is to be the dad.

[Jozet at Halushki]

omg...she's BEAUTIFUL!

And yes, 4 if Fabulous! What a great kid...and a lucky kid to have such a first rate dad.

[Jozet at Halushki]

uh...4 IS Fabulous!

(I bet she spells better than I do.)

[Jozet at Halushki]

uh...4 IS Fabulous!

(I bet she spells better than I do.)

[Jozet at Halushki]

uh...4 IS Fabulous!

(I bet she spells better than I do.)

[Vivek Nath]

JOY... to read and relate....all the way from India....I have almost 2 year old son... and have been away from him the last few months.... but this post just reminded me, its good to be alive... but to be alive with your own kid .... BLISS !!
Will remember this forever :)

"although there are many different kinds of love, there is no true love like the one a father has for his child."

[Waya]

Happy belated b-day Princess P!!! May all your wonderful dreams come true! I know you'll go far in this world, spreading all your love and beauties to the world!!!!

I'm truly sad as well re: the Red Sox. But happy for the TB though since it'll be their first World Series (hopefully).

[JoLynn]

Happy Birthday to your girl! My girl is turning 10 this Friday!

[the mad momma]

happy birthday Peanut...
You're a lovely little girl and while I am sure it will be rather traumatic for you - I for one am counting on your dad blogging about you right until you leave home!!

[apoo]

that was truly touching!! belated wishes :)

[nazli]

thnks

[Nancy]

So beautifully put....u just sort of put across emotions the rest of us feel, but can't express...atleast not as well as u:-)).

[Jason]

LOL! Very cute video! Its nice to see a dad in New York who isn't just a hardheaded hardass who doesn't like to view life with a simple mind and a child's eye.

These blogs always make me feel great about my kids. I'm glad you enjoy your daughter when you have her around, sometimes it can be hard, especially if, like when I was working second shift, you never saw your child aside for taking her to the bus stop.

Happy Birthday, Peanut....although belated...

[chanel outlet]

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:

[Gautam]

I would try 1 y/o. But on a small cracker. Spread the Peanut-butter aruond the cracker but make sure that it is a small amount. See if he has any reactions to it and if he likes it. If he has no reactions and he likes it give him a half of a PB and J sandwitch. I hope this helps! Good Luck!P.S. sorry I didn't see abc's answer ..Sorry! I didn't mean to copy..

[Nazeer]

Posted on Does Chess King even exist anymore? Also, Pj, why only four mohnts? Did you get your fill of sweet purple plaid suits and decide to sever all ties?

[Rohman]

Oh my gosh- love the photo in front of the quonset with the three boys, their coowby hats and I assume their 4-H animals!! Nice post JK and Happy Birthday Jim!! Rennae Jeanette