Hi my love,
Your brother Isaiah arrived into the world 6 days ago on April 19th, 2012. A couple days before he arrived, your dad and I took you to get your first real haircut and spent a lovely day at the Oregon Zoo with you to celebrate Packy the elephants 50th birthday. That day was so special for me, You talked about seeing Packy all day and had a blast running around and oohing and ahhing over the "big animals" (sea lions) and the sheep, pigs and cows at the petting zoo. We all went on a train ride and you jumped, giggled and made your dad and I laugh the whole time. All day long I marveled at you, looking so handsome with your new haircut. I couldn't stop smiling at your delight in the sunshine and animals.
When your brother was born, I stayed in the hospital for two days afterwards. When I came home, you had gone on a growth spurt and seemed to have "grown up" before my very eyes. While I am, of course, delighted to see you growing into such a strong, healthy, amazing boy, it also made me sad to think that soon, you will not be a baby anymore and this (along with the pregnancy hormones) has stirred up some wonderful memories as well as some sadness in me remembering when you were my only baby!
For the past two and a half years, the amount of joy and the infinite number of beautiful, lasting memories you have given me are immeasurable and priceless. I remember when, we brought you home from the hospital and you were so tiny (and very very collicky) you hardly slept and were restless and upset most of the day and night but, despite all that fussiness, I fell madly in love with you, taking pictures to document even the slightest smile, new discovery and moments of your day. I would put you on the counter in your bouncing chair while I made dinner and strap a tiny, rattling toy duck to your wrist to play with. I would list out loud to you every ingredient I was using and you would watch me intently with your beautiful eyes, As you got older, I would bring your high chair in and have you "help" me make dinner while I fed you bits and pieces of tomatoes, cheese and any other ingredients I thought you would enjoy. During your earliest days, you hated to miss any of the action going on in the house so I would carry you and your boppy pillow with me from room to room, propping you up and talking to you while I did laundry or dishes or caught an occasional and rare nap.
These days you amuse your mama to no end with your love of your sidewalk chalk as well as your watering can that your great grandpa gave you and that you use to water the flowers and grass any time the sun comes out. Your love of nature, basketball, water and the park and your funny, light spirit that keeps us all laughing. When I came home from the hospital with Isaiah fearing that maybe you wouldn't feel as close to me with the new addition, you helped me with the baby and gave me your big, wonderful signature hugs throughout the day where you pull me in tight to you, close your eyes and hold me for as long as I need you to. When your dad and I venured out to the waterfront park the other day, you found a tiny patch of sand and stood on it, calling it the "beach". When I was sitting by your crib one night after putting you to bed and began to get nostalgic and sniffle into the phone while talking to your Grandma Bubby (or "Bubb-ah" as you call her in your sweet, still baby voice) you began sniffing to mimic my sniffling, automatically making me laugh out loud to which you responded by laughing out loud as well, once again cheering my heart as you always do. I have made it my goal to sit next to your bed every night until you are asleep and this has brought me so much joy as we sing and laugh you off to sleep. The other night, as your grandma sang to you over the phone from many many miles away, you raised your arm and waved your sippy cup in the air, once again eliciting laughter from your mama. I love nothing more than I love watching you grow into a person that clearly lights the hearts of others in such an effortless way. Everywhere we go, you make people laugh and strangers are always commenting on how cute you are.
During the past two and a half years, you have blossomed into this funy, smart and absolutely breathtakingly beautiful boy who loves to dance, loves to watch, sing and dance to Yo Gabba Gabba (so much so that you have earned the nickname Gabba Man from your dad), loves to be read to (Bedtime little Monsters, Muddy paws and Curious George are some favorites) and who would choose picking flowers for mama, watching birds and playing with sticks and rocks over strenuous sports any day. You are strong and solid in build but you are kind and gentle and treat other kids with respect. You and I have so many inside jokes from all the time we have spent together reading, taking field trips and spending countless hours on end together. When you are eating your snacks, you will look over at me and move your lips and make a funny face. I mimic this which never fails to send you into a laughing fit. Another favorite joke of ours is for me to take this old green basket and pretend it is a hat. I let the basket fall off my head while talking and then I act shocked and you start cracking up. When someone asks how old you are you assuredly say "TWO" while holding up 2 fingers and when someone asks your name, you happily yell out "Big G"!! You love it when I sing songs from Yo Gabba Gabba and you have this wonderful imagination where an old cone becomes a loudspeaker, a plastic toy becomes a juice cup and you will endlessly amuse yourself by acting out scenes from a favorite show or from something that happened during your day. You love playing the drums your dad got you and you hate to be told to be quiet. You have recently started saying "okay mama" when I ask you to do something and you say, "please, thank you and I'm sorry" at the appropriate times. These funny little things you do and these times we share warm my heart and make me remember that, even though you are now not my only baby, you will forever be my first born, you will forever be my baby and you will always hold a wonderful, huge spot in my heart that only you can fill.
Thank you for all the memories and for being my big helper. I will forever cherish the times we have spent just you and I and I am looking forward to a life of laughter and love as I watch you and your brother grow up into the great friends and great men I know you will become! I love you my little "sweet pea", "green bean" "baby beast", "Gabba Man", "Rock N Roll", "Big G" :)
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