My loves

It is in these, the quiet moments, I am supremely grateful. When I sit in the quiet listening to the sweet lyrics of lullabies with one sleeping baby in my arms as I look at another sleeping baby, who is a "baby" no more, I am profoundly aware how incredibly blessed I truly am.

So I'll sit here a little longer. I'll soak up the little things: the sound of a little person snoring so softly it sounds like a kitten purring and the feeling of a tiny hand resting on neck as her chest lifts and falls -- every so often breaking rhythm for the softest little sigh. My loves.

Sunday Fun

Sundays are always one of my favorite days because most Sundays Justin doesn't have to work the whole day. Today was a one of the best days I can remember. It reminded me how much I love our family.

There was nothing too exciting about today and it actually started off kind of rocky with Avery waking up for the day at 3:30am. Once we got in a groove we had a great day full of every day things that really made me appreciate the life we have. Justin mowed the lawns, we hung a new swing for Avery, jumped on the trampoline, BBQed for dinner and just enjoyed our time as a family of 3.

Soon there will be 4 and I can only imagine how much her being here will increase our love and happiness.

10 Months & Counting.

Avery,
You have gotten so big recently. You have acquired quite a few new tricks. Some of my favorites are:

• Give me kisses: Even though they may be open mouthed, sloppy, and wet but when you turn my head so you can kiss me right on the face it just melts my heart.
  
• Big smiles: You have learned to smile so big you have to scrunch up your little nose. It's so hilarious.
  
• Waddling; Recently you started taking your first steps. It's so funny to watch you waddle around like a little Frankenstein.
  
• Feed the dog: You love to 'share' your food with the dog. As if she doesn't get enough food from Daddy.
• Drinking out of the bathtub: I think we've let you watch the dog drink water too much. You have a habit of sticking your face in the bath water and lapping it up just like she does. You always come up coughing and laughing at the same time, but once you've caught your breath you do it all over again. it's quite hilarious.

I can't wait to see what other new things you start doing soon.

Love,
Your mama.

All wrapped up.

Every day I spend with Avery I am reminded how lucky I am. I get to be her mama forever and always. She is my girl and I am responsible for making sure she is happy, healthy and safe.

On occasion she is a little difficult. Sometimes she doesn't want to eat, sometimes she doesn't want me to play with her toys, sometimes she doesn't want to sleep and sometimes all she wants is to be held. The latter is my favorite. I understand for others like grandma wanting to be held all.the.time can get old real quick. For me? I don't mind one bit.

On this day Avery did not want to be put down, even to sleep. So what's a busy mama to do? Wrap that baby up!

I snapped this picture just before I sat down and rocked her to sleep. After she was asleep and I got a little rest in the glider I continued on with what I had to do and she got a great nap.

It's days like these I am ever grateful that I am a mama. I am her mama.

Dear Baby Girl,

I am in awe of you. You are the single most amazing person I have ever met. Even tonight when I was just about at my wits end trying to put you to sleep all I had to do was look at your sweet face and all was well again.
Once you were asleep it was all I could do to hold back the tears at your complete awesomeness. I see in you all the best of your daddy and me. You have my lips and his ears. You are interested in EVERYTHING. You are caring and insightful. I love everything about you.

Please always know that you are special and wonderful and beautiful and perfect in every way.

I love you more than words can say. More than the stars in the sky. More than the sand on the beach. And more than all the drops of water in all the oceans in the world.

Love always and for eternity,
Mommy

For the love of a child

Dear Avery,

I had always heard how the love you feel for your child cannot be compared to anything else. How it's different than the love you feel for your parents, your siblings, even your partner. How it is immeasurable.

I never knew how true this would be until I had you. The love I feel every time I look at you is astonishing. It fills my heart to a degree I never knew possible. I would go to the end of the world and back just to make you smile because your happiness is my happiness now.

Love,
Your Mommy

Dear Baby Girl,

As I sit here and watch you sleep I can't help but feel happy. I am so happy you have come into our lives and forever changed them. You may keep us up until all hours of the night, cry for no reason, and in general confuse the hell out of us, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I can't even begin to explain the joy you have brought to our lives in just the last 5 weeks. The day you were born was one of the happiest days of my life. I could not believe how tiny you were with your little bitty nose, and your perfect little ears; your beautiful big eyes and full head of hair.

Then last week when you smiled at me you melted my heart. I couldn't help the tears that welled in my eyes. Your big, gummy smile was enough to make me forget about everything else. I spent the rest of the day trying to get you to do it again and again.

You were -- and are -- perfection. I couldn't ask for anything more. I can't wait to watch you grow. I look forward to hearing your first laugh and your first word; watching you take your first steps and start your first day of school. All those things will only add to how much I love you.

Because I love you more than the stars in the sky, sand on the beaches and drops of water in all the oceans of the world.

Love,
Your Mommy.