My second-youngest nears a decade

Nine years ago, my mom -- one of my very best friends and probably the one woman in the world who knows me best -- flew to Denmark. On her own. To be with me. Well, not just me, but with me, Matthew and Steen. But mostly with me... me and my bulging belly.

For five weeks, we hung around our little house... eating lunch at the local Chinese restaurant, taking Matthew to an amusement park, shopping, and talking, talking talking. And she cleaned my house from top to bottom.

And we were waiting, waiting, waiting. Ten days past the date my husband and I were "supposed" to welcome our new little boy into the world.

But when the day finally came, it was such a special day. Birth days are always amazing.

One summer day, late in August, my little Lucas landed safely in the world. And ever since, he has brought me happiness with his gentle, thoughtful ways. Lucas is a child who considers things, considers people.

Here he is meeting his big brother Matthew for the first time -- Lucas is only a few hours old.

He will watch someone new in his circle of life for days before saying a word to them... Watching to find out whether they are worthy of his time and effort. He choses his friends wisely, using an intricate system of morals that he understands completely. If you don't live up to his code of ethics, you can basically forget it. He has always done this. Even as a baby, if he would deem you fit to receive a smile, you were blessed. The only person in his life who could continually make him laugh when he was little was Matthew. If Matthew walked into the room and just smiled at his little brother, they'd immediately share a special moment.

Brotherly bonds. Something a mother doesn't share...

But I do get to share Friday evenings with him on the couch watching cartoons, and good morning hugs, and the notes he writes to me in the mirror after his 20-minute shower ("I luv u").

I do get to see what an amazing big brother he is to Nicholas...

...and how he enjoys hanging around with his cousins (here he is with one of them).

I do get to share in his passion for cooking, and in discussions vegetarianism, the morning traffic jams and the American electoral process.

And I get to love him... I love his enthusiasm for life, his love for Beast Quest books, his shy smile, and his absent-minded way of crossing the street. "Well, the car stopped, mom. I can't see the problem!"

And now we've celebrated the beginning of his 10th year. Love you, Lucas!

Then (with his grandma)

Now