Letter to Leo- My 2 year old

Feb 2014

Jan 2015

Dearest Leo,

             I can hardly believe I am writing to you on your second birthday.  Wasn't I just writing to my new one year old?  You are growing so fast.  You have been perfect every second of everyday since you have arrived in my life.  Even though I know this to be true, you somehow become a better, more vivid version of yourself everyday as well.  I have a hard time figuring out how that is even possible. 

 Let me tell you a bit about our last year together.  We had some glorious times when I was able to stay home with you but you have loved going to your Aunt Emily's and playing with your cousins since I had to go back to work.  You are definitely having more fun than me... I miss seeing you all day, every day.  We finished up breastfeeding right before Thanksgiving but we still have a wonderful relationship and you still need me (something I was afraid might change too soon).  We have decided to grow our family and you are so ready to take on being a big brother.  You told me the other day "I love babies. I want to hold them." We'll ask you if you still love them after Junebug gets here ; )     

A few new things you have been doing... 

  You love singing.  Your song repertoire consists of (but is not limited to) Baby Mine, Dooley, If I had a Hammer, Twinkle Twinkle, In the Jungle, Take me Out to the Ballgame, Blowin' in the Wind, Jesus Loves Me, Amen... I could go on but you get the drift.  I am sometimes so surprised because I will pause in a song and you will fill in the word!  It surprises me because I didn't know you knew every word but you actually do...   

     When you drink a bottle you like to maintain contact with me by placing a hand on my heart (a remnant of breastfeeding I am sure as it started right after we weaned).  You also call it Mama's milk... for example while sitting in the car drinking a bottle, you stretch your hand out towards me and say, "Mama. need it! Can't reach Mama's milk."  You have also been asking me to sing Baby Mine.  Now Baby Mine was the song I sang to you in utero and when they first handed you to me in the hospital.  I have sang it everyday of your life since then and you have just started showing a preference for it.  I chose that song for us, for you, and now you love it too.  You even know the words and will sing it sometimes... I love hearing you sing it and imagine you singing it to your own baby someday.  

    You really love going to Gymboree and when I tell you we are going you say "Gymborwe Day, Hooway!"  

A few favorite shows... Blue's Clues (still), Veggie Tales (aka Movie Tales), and Old Donald and Mickey cartoons.  There is a Mickey one "A Brave Little Tailor" I believe, that you love and since watching it you have been talking about a giant.  When we ask about it you say it is a friendly giant... we have even pretended the friendly giant rode on top of our car one day since it was apparently stomping around but wanted to come to our house to play.  (all told to me by you, except I suggested he ride on top of the car)  Your first imaginary friend perhaps?      

 This year (although not your first) still had many "firsts" for you.  First haircut, first days away from Mama, first bike ride, first camping trip, first bike, first sentences... you went from walking to running in no time flat and that is exactly how it feels watching you are grow up. 

Ready to be a big brother!

 You've recently decided that you like Mama's tea so we have had tea a few times together and you are so sweet.  You hold a conversation with me and do your best to drink when I drink and to hold your cup just like I do.  I hope we can always have moments like that.

Just before my baby turned 2...

2nd Birthday Party (Blue's Clues!)

One day I hope you will look at me and have some understanding of how much I love you.  I know (from experience) how hard it is to fathom a parent's love before you are one yourself... definitely possible but hard.  I was thinking today about my life just 3 short years ago... Before you were a physical part of my life... you were definitely there my son, my heart wished and prayed for you daily.  I am so blessed that I get a front row seat to you.  

Love, 

My favorite picture of us from 2014.

Mama

Mommy

Mama Anna

My Mama

(and my favorite) Mama mine : )