School House Rehab

A Letter To My (Second) Baby (7-12 Months)

Amanda — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 11:59:04 +0000

To my sweet baby Theo,

Your first birthday is officially here and I can't believe it.

In fact, to make sure I wasn't imagining, I wandered up to your room at midnight last night to watch you sleep for a bit before snapping your picture at 12:11, when you came barreling into my life exactly a year ago. I've never experienced a year fly by so fast, but I've been doing my best to savor every second while trying to document the best parts. Oh, and for the record, the best parts I'm referring to are the mundane moments doing all the things we love: wandering the yard and driveway, going for walks, dining al fresco, rolling in the grass, getting into spontaneous wrestling matches that morph into spontaneous screaming and laughing matches, reading book after book. I love experiencing your experiences. I love teaching you all I can about this world we share while also standing back to witness your discoveries.

I missed a few of your baby letters but I've been taking notes so let's recap, shall we? And really, you're up at 5:30 most mornings with more strength and energy than the average baby so can you really blame me for falling behind?

7 Months: Once you turned 7 months old in February, everything started to move in warp speed.

You were crawling within days of turning 7 months and babbling up a storm, too. Your favorite word was "Dada." All day long you'd make a gurgling noise in your throat that translated exactly into the noise that Chewbacca (Star Wars) makes. Daddy and I would crack up, prompting Harrison to crack up which in turn made you crack up. We started calling you "Chewy" and it stuck for 6 or 8 weeks. Eventually, you stopped making the noise so the nickname stopped, too.

You explored the snow (traveling by snow tube and looking like a stuffed marshmallow while at it), had a ball in the jumperoo, really started to develop an interest in Harrison and Griffin, started loving books and the swings.

8 Months: March and your 8 month birthday brought with it more of the Theo we love.

You lived in fleece footie pajamas and sometimes wore them all day long, only to switch into a fresh pair after bath. You began to crawl a lot faster, pull up on anything you could (including anyone laying down on the floor), and explore lots of new foods. You were interested in anything we were eating and didn't turn down much. You realized that windows and full-view doors were the easiest way to see outside - a place you LOVED (and continue to love). You started playing "roll the ball" and when the ball was rolled back to you, you'd wave your hands and flap your arms up and down while shrieking excitedly. Sleep was essential for you and easy for me - thanks for that. Sure, you were up early (6-6:30a) but you went to bed easily at 6:30 after books and songs and took a couple 2-hour naps a day. If we were out of the house and you had to nap in the stroller or car, you would, with little fuss or fanfare. You loved your paci (that hasn't changed) and loved spitting it out when something better came along. You continued to pop teeth uneventfully, staying true to your happy self all the while.

9 Months: Once you hit 9-months you became far more physical and at nearly 24-pounds, it was exhausting at times.

After each night's sleep and nap, we'd find you standing at your crib trying to pop out of it. We lowered your crib twice in a week's time. You loved pulling hair, banging anything you could get your hands on, trying to do side flips and back flips out of the high chair, clapping, waving at trucks and the tractor, and dancing like nobody was watching. While doing all of that and more, you'd flash your signature mischievous grin. You started standing for a second or two at a time and you bit everything. Couches, pillows, books, your high chair... you learned not to bite our shoulders pretty quickly. You loved all food and you'd be excited to try anything we put in front of you. As soon as the food hit your tray, you'd take your right hand and bring it around from the side in an aggressive motion, clasping around as much food as possible to shove it all into your mouth at once in the span of 1 second. By 9 months, you were eating steak, prime rib, and egg & cheese sandwiches on the regular. You also had your first taste of Chick-Fil-A chicken and fries.

You sprinted for bath time ("Splash Splash" or "Pah Pah" to you) and cried when it ended. At your 9-month check-up, the doctor laughed at you in the infant bucket seat and told me and Daddy to "get him a properly sized car seat" so 2 days later, you were in a big boy car seat. Both of your upper molars broke through by early April. You started riding next to Harrison in the Costco cart (and trying all the samples, too). If someone gave you a plane, you'd hold it up in your hand with your arm extended, making zooming noises that were beyond charming. You still loved your sleep but you also knew what sleep meant. As soon as I told you it was time for your nap, you'd start whining and fake-crying as we'd start upstairs together. By the tenth step, you'd stop. After books and before songs, you'd get super snuggly and nestle your face into the crook of my neck. I breathed you in and vowed to remember the feeling for the rest of my life. You still do it now at 12-months and I'm so thankful.

10 Months: You were officially out in the world longer than you were in me, which is always an age I find significant. I shared my first Mother's Day with you and your giant hugs. You were obsessed with Harrison's MagnaTiles and could spend hours knocking down the houses we'd build for you. You liked any game that had an element of suspense to it (Peekaboo included) and your trademark smile was so easy to solicit. You loved the stairs and got really good at climbing them with no help.

You'd stand up next to me and smack my stomach with both of your hands before standing back up to prep for another hit, cracking yourself up as you did it. I fell further in love with your tiny smile dimples and wrist wrinkles. You have a laugh that is so contagious and distinct and it started developing way back when. I look at pictures of you laughing and I can hear it clear as day. I can't help but smile and fill with happiness when I hear it.

During our nightly singing, you'd still want to snuggle into my neck and shoulder but for a week or so, you'd pop back up, inspect me, smile and lay your head back down, repeating that a few times in a row, making me laugh. Your love for books became more apparent, as did your preference for certain books. If I read you a book that you didn't like, you'd violently flip back to the cover, slamming the book closed and looking up at me after with a serious face. Not anything like the face below.

When Daddy or I told you no or you couldn't do something, we were introduced to your attitude when your face would flash with anger. The aggressive Cheerio eating continued, with you beating them into your fist, dragging your whole hand across the tray to grab 3 or 4. When you were done eating or drinking, instead of shaking your head politely no, you'd slap the food/hand/spoon away with the force of a kid twice your size.

You loved wrestling Harrison and the two of you would shriek in delight as you chased him in countless circles around the dining room table. Changing your diaper became a fight and a chore. You writhed and twisted and screamed when I tried to turn you back flat for wiping. Sometimes, I'd be sweating after a 2 minute diaper change. (The past tense is irrelevant because diaper changes are still a BATTLE!)

Your language started taking off with strong "MaMas", "Dadas," "BuhBuhs" and "Mores" and it made me so excited for the next chapter.

11 Months: With June came heat and with the heat came water. You enjoyed it immensely in all forms and didn't discriminate: hose, pool, bath, water table.

You stormed into 11 months by walking, talking, making animal noises and screaming and throwing your body around when you didn't get your way. When any door opened, (bathroom, bedroom, back door, front door) you'd recognize the sound and crawl there in 2 seconds flat no matter where you were in the house. When the door was shut promptly because there were dangerous things on the other side of the door, (razors, cords, wooden steps, splinters to name a few) you lost your cool. Crying and hanging your head and eventually trying to bang the door down. You'd get over it fairly quickly when your brother's trucks worked as a good distraction. On your first Father's Day with Daddy, you were Baptized on the beach by the same minister that married Mommy and Daddy and Baptized your brother. We were so happy you have you blessed and welcomed into God's world in that way. We took you to NJ/PA for 3 nights and you had a ball, taking in all of your surroundings but never losing your signature cool.

The move to whole milk started and so far, no complaints. The bottles and pacifiers are next - we'll see how that goes.

And so we're here. We're at 12 months. You're more a toddler than a baby and it's so bittersweet. The moment you were born my heart doubled in size. It grew so large in my chest that it was momentarily hard to breathe and I told Daddy my body couldn't handle my new heart. You've been making my heart grow daily since, and somehow, I'm managing. Your smile knocks me out and your will and determination inspires me. Theo, you're my littlest big love and when I think I couldn't possibly love you more than I do, you make it so.

"I love you so much. I love you always. I will always looooove you."

Love,

Mommy (Daddy, too!)

A Letter To My (Second) Baby: 6 Months

Amanda — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 17:18:08 +0000

Theo Beo Pumpkin Pie*,

Happy half birthday to you, my sweet boy! In July, when I was waiting to meet you, I constantly looked ahead (in my head) to January. I'd imagine you sitting up, interacting with Harrison and having a personality all your own. Somehow, here we are and let me tell you - you aren't disappointing.

You're curious, blissfully happy, bubbly and harboring just a *smidgen* of Mommy-itis and Daddy-itis.

You're smitten with both your brother and your fur brother and are interacting with them eagerly. Harrison gives you "jumping crib rides" each morning (and after most naps) while you beam up at him and erupt in smiles and giggles. When he finishes jumping, he snuggles in close to you and you rarely look happier.

You love to watch him play with his toys and if he leaves one close enough for you to nab, you love to play with his toys, too. It should be an interesting Spring. Regardless, I know he's probably your favorite person in the world and I love watching you interact together.

Lately, when you're getting OR giving Harrison hugs, you erupt into this euphoric, ear-piercing scream and I can't help but laugh at it. I know your little wrestling matches are only going to get more aggressive and less contained, so I enjoy refereeing them for now.

Griff is also among your most adored. You track him everywhere, often manipulating your body to get a better view of your furry best friend. You rarely try to crawl harder than when Griff is waiting nearby.

Eyes on the prize...

You're closing on him...

Got him!

Or rather, he got you.

You're loving solid food and haven't turned down anything I've fed you so far. Now that you're nearly 6.5 months, I'm making you a bunch of tastier combinations that seem to keep you pretty happy.

Your hand was in your mouth for most of December so I had a feeling a tooth or two was imminent.

Sure enough, you were sporting one bottom tooth and just the tip of the other by the time you turned 6 months.

One Sunday in December, we took you swimming with Harrison and his buddy and you were NOT a fan. You screamed as soon as your toes hit the water and didn't let up until you were securely wrapped up and toweled in my arms. The pool was unheated so although Harrison and Daddy didn't mind, I should have anticipated that you might. #momfail

You never stop moving. Arms, legs, hands - you name it. They're all going all the time, no matter the activity. When I hold you, you start moving both of your legs at such a clip that you actually climb up my front and end up over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes before I realize what's happening. You navigate every inch of the crib by rolling, army crawling and stretching. You always end up in one corner by the end of it but it's never the same corner. You give actual hugs of which I can't get enough. You like being on Daddy's shoulders, too, especially because you can grab his glasses more easily.

We had a couple of light snowstorms and I took you out following one of them. You love the outdoors just like your brother and didn't complain at all as Harrison and I took turns pulling you all over. In fact, I think you rather liked the speedy turns.

You also enjoy our Winter walks and time spent roaming the yard. Even when it's 25 degrees out and your hands are freezing because you're sucking on your mittens, you're loving life. There is no getting you down, love.

At your 6-month check-up you were nearly 21.5 pounds and shy of 30" long. The doctor called you "Moose" and said that you're getting around just fine considering your size. Your wrist rolls are new this month and I think they're just divine. We have you in 12-18mo clothing and I have a feeling you'll be in 24mo before you turn 1. You'll slow down eventually, but for now, you continue your mission to catch up to Harrison. Daddy and I will hit the gym to keep up.

Your eyes are just as expressive as ever.

They are a dead giveaway to your curiosity, mischievousness and contented disposition.

They're also as blue as ever, causing people to stop me while I'm out and say how beautiful they are. It's a joy to watch you watch everything. Take it all in, my love, there's always more to see.

We took you on your first plane ride to Texas and you were a CHAMP. You napped twice on the longer, first flight and once on the return flight.

You pooped both ways which wasn't a ball for me but everything else was.

I loved snuggling you and holding you and entertaining you for hours at a time.... it was a challenge and it was exhausting but in the best possible way.

You still love the 4am wake up but you go right back to sleep. It normally takes some combination of feeding you, giving you the pacifier and handing you your lovie. When I get out of bed, I'm normally pretty grumpy but by the time I'm rocking you in the chair upstairs, I'm nuzzling into you and thanking God that you're mine. I know the 4am waking isn't forever and while I'd love to sleep close to 8 hours in a given night, I remember that those middle-of-the-night hugs disappear with the wake-up and I'm okay with hanging out with you at 4am for as long as you need it.

You're nothing but happiness and joy for this old Mama of yours and I really do thank God every day he paired you with me.

Keep exploring, figuring, belly crawling, screeching and oh! rocking those Babiators.

You're a gem, Theodore, and I love you beyond words.

Mommy (Daddy, too!)

*This is a wacky little nickname that I sing to you umpteen times per day. Normally I finish the rest of song and if I don't, your brother does!

A Letter To My (Second) Baby: 5 Months

Amanda — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 15:22:17 +0000

To my sweet Theodorable,

If it seems like I was just yammering on about how you had turned 4-months old, you're right. I published your 4-month letter earlier today and now I'm back with a timely 5-month letter. You win some, you lose some.

It's hard for me to come to terms with the fact that you're actually a month away from being six months old. Last Spring, when talking to Harrison about your arrival and discussing when you'd be able to play with him, I casually mentioned December or January, thinking that it'd be forever before we were actually there. Obviously, we're "there" and you're getting sturdier and sturdier - be it sitting, jumping or propping yourself up on your forearms. You're nowhere near sitting up alone but day by day, you do get closer.

You're full on rolling to get anywhere you need to go. Most of the time, you refuse to stay on your back for more than two seconds, which has quickly turned you into a 100% belly sleeper. Speaking of sleeping, you're still doing three naps a day and most nights, you're still getting up for a snack anywhere between 3-5:30a before going back to bed until 6:30/7a. You've given us a week's worth of 12-13 hour nights, so let's get back to that, ok?

Right before bed, once we've read our books and I'm singing to and rocking you in the chair, you take the backs of your hands and place them over your eyes, in a gesture that seems like you can't handle the world. I pull your hands away and they return to the same spot like a spring. It's a little thing that probably won't even exist next month, but I love watching you do it because it's a unique physical trait.

When you wake up after naps and your eyes are adjusting to the bright light streaming into your room, your face smiles for a good thirty seconds before your eyes open. It is completely enchanting and I smile reflexively while watching you.

Before naps and before bed, as you get changed and dressed, you turn into a wild man.

You kick your legs like crazy and nearly catapult off of the changing table in the process. You scream happily and yell, cracking yourself up all the while. I always think that there's no possible way that you'll fall asleep but thankfully, no more than five minutes after you wild out, you're out.

You've taken a giant interest in Griffin over the last few weeks. You watch him intently while he's chewing a bone or walking around and when he's sitting in front of your jumper, you'll stare at and study him forever.

At your first Thanksgiving, I made some sweet potato for you.

You were able to get a lot of it down and since, you've tried apple, pear, carrot, banana and avocado. Apple and banana have been your favorites so far. Whatever we're eating, you want. You reach for all of my plates and bowls and have successfully grabbed quite a few pieces of food off of my plate. I've successfully thwarted your attempts to get it in your mouth. I'm not about to start baby-led weaning this early, especially after watching you gag on a tiny mushed bite of avocado. Baby steps, err, bites.

You love your baths even though I don't get you in there as often as I'd like.

Especially now that it's (nearly) Winter, I dunk you three or four times a week. You're typical Theodore during all of them except for this one time... Daddy snapped you making this face and it's so out of character. I love that your layers of personality are starting to reveal themselves, even though I wouldn't want to cross the baby in this picture.

When you were five weeks old, we took you to physical therapy because one part of your head was flat and the doctor we saw was a bit of an alarmist. It rounded out after a few weeks of (supervised) sleeping on your stomach and now it's as round as can be and we're thankful for that.

We took you to Vermont last month and once again, you were a rock star road tripper. You witnessed your first snow from the cozy confines of the ski house because the wind was too tough for your tender skin. It was exciting to kick off my favorite holiday season with a big snowfall and it made me equally excited to share the magic of the season with you. Shortly thereafter, you met Santa but... you were unimpressed.

You aren't unimpressed, however, by the Christmas tree lights. You like to jump right next to the tree, squealing at the ornaments swaying. Daddy and I like to take your picture by it.

Your flexibility is increasing and you've successfully nibbled on your toes. Your brother never did that so it's especially fun to watch you contort your squishy body, preferably sans pants.

Your coos and gurgles are becoming even more defined, if that's the right word. You've started to purse your lips into shapes. It's fascinating to watch, because you're that much closer to communicating with us. You turn your (normally) big lips into flat lines and tell us everything on your mind.

You continue to astonish me with your geniality and lightheartedness. Happy 5-month birthday to my squealing, rolling, charming wonder. You make my world better each and every day.

Love eternal,

Mommy (and Daddy!)

A Letter To My (Second) Baby: 4 Months

Amanda — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:46:12 +0000

Theo my love,

I apologize for publishing your 4-month letter on your 5-month birthday, but you (and your brother) keep me insanely busy. At the end of the day, once you're both asleep and the house is de-tornadoed, I'm ready to turn my brain off and completely zone out. But hey, you're *hopefully* getting your 4-month and your 5-month on the same day, so that's special, right?!

All through October and early November, you maintained your status quo and I want to sincerely thank you for that. I can bring you anywhere and everywhere and never worry about you or how you'll handle any situation. You have no problem eating, sleeping and playing on the run and you maintain your amazing disposition all the while. You cry when you're hungry or tired. That's it. No joke. You're superb at going with the flow - I suspect even more so than the average "relaxed" second child.

Most people comment on your size when they first meet you.

At your 4-month check up, you were nearly 18 1/2 pounds and 27" which puts you in the 95th percentile for weight and off the charts for height. Your size doesn't seem to stop you as you're proficiently rolling from front to back. No matter how big you get, you'll always be my tiny baby boy.

Speaking of snuggling... you're a master snuggler. You're so content to settle into my lap and watch the world (or Harrison) go by while holding my arms or fingers ~~tenderly~~ with your death grip. When I'm holding you, you love to nestle your face in the crook of my neck and it's heaven. I love it all but the BEST is when you plant giant, wet kisses on my cheeks. I can't get enough of them.

We brought the jumperoo out of the attic when you were 3 1/2 months old because you had good neck control and love to be on the move. Harrison started his jumping career at 4 months old and he was able to jump like a madman with the help of a pillow we placed under his feet. Even though you started younger, you didn't need the pillow. You stood there flat-footed with a goofy smile on your face and I silently wondered if you'd outgrow me in elementary school.

You seem to really like the jumperoo music but that isn't surprising because dancing and being sung to are two of your favorite activities.

You have eyes that slay. They're a gorgeous color blue but going even further than that, they're gentle, curious and filled with pure happiness. You have looks that seem so adult to me - like you know exactly what I'm saying and you feel that way, too. A large handful of people have told me that around the eyes, you're "all me" and even though I don't necessarily see it myself, I take it as a great compliment because your eyes are a dead giveaway that you have one of the sweetest souls I've ever had the privilege of knowing.

You were born with rock star hair but sadly, it's sloooowwwly falling out. I'll miss your mowhawk but I know how I can get one if I need it in my life. If it were up to Daddy, there *may* be some baby hair gel in your Christmas stocking this year.

Halloween was a ball this year with you in the mix. I really wanted to do a family costume and since your brother wanted to be a "baseball player ghost," (we went with baseball player) we made you the baseball. Literally and figuratively. I grabbed white felt and red yarn from the fabric store and you turned into the sweetest addition to our little baseball team, even though you're throwin' some shade in the picture below.

When it came time to trick-or-treat, you were (no surprise here...) a trooper. It was a really brisk night and I wore you on my front so you could take in all the action. Harrison was far more into it than expected so we walked around for over an hour and you didn't complain one bit. I put you in a hat and coat on but no mittens. I tried to keep my hands around your hands but when we got back home, your hands were like ice. I felt so bad but you didn't seem to care. Your first true, rosy cheeks were irresistable and you slept like a champ.

You're still sleeping really well. You hit a hiccup at about 3 1/2 months when you were up every few hours for nearly a week, but it went away as quickly as it came so I'm considering that your 4-month sleep regression. You nap three times a day with your lunchtime nap being the best - sometimes it's 3 hours long! I'm happy to have a "baby break" during those hours, especially when you and Harrison are both sleeping, but when I hear that you're awake, I'm anxious to run to your crib and be greeted by your adoring, giant smiles. They get me every time.

You're wearing mostly 6-12 month clothing and even in those sizes, a few of your pieces are just a little snug around the middle. I always wanted a big, cuddly, snuggly baby with rolls to spare and you're my wish granted in that department. Actually, I got a big, cuddly, snuggly baby with rolls to spare and smiles for days so really, there's no one luckier than me.

We took you on your first road trip to Cape Cod and you showed your first signs of being bored and/or annoyed in the back seat. That, or you're already capable of manipulation (unlikely) because I rode in the backseat as your personal entertainer for the majority of the 4-hour trip... both ways. You seemed happy enough to have me holding your hand and singing along to the Hamilton soundtrack as you took in every word and history lesson. Cape Cod is among my favorite places on Earth and you seemed to echo that feeling.

You loved exploring your new environment at Nanu's house and beyond and I loved our beach snuggles on a rare 70 degree October day.

We gave you your first bath with Harrison in tow and he was all too eager to hold your belly and make sure your head stayed above water (my only rule). In a couple of years, all bets will be off and you'll be on your own, kid. Somehow, I think you'll be able to hold your own just fine.

Your coos and gurgles are becoming more defined and plentiful each day but the one person to guarantee your calling out in elation is Daddy.

When he walks in the door after work, your face lights up in signature Theodore fashion and you start calling out to him. It doesn't stop. You let out these house-filling yells for 10 or 15 minutes and if Daddy walks out of the room and then comes back, well, there they are again. It's adorable and indicative of some fun personality showing through. You love to be tickled on your chest, belly, legs, neck and back and you're showing some real signs of silliness. Daddy and I both have verrrry silly sides so we relish this glimmer of what's to come.

You make our lives fuller and happier in a way that complexly surpasses our dreams and expectations. We are so blessed by you and can't wait for all the fun ahead. Food and sitting and TOYS, oh my!

We can't wait to witness it all in awe and admiration.

Forever love,

Mommy (and Daddy!)

A Letter To My (Second) Baby: 3 Months

Amanda — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 23:45:43 +0000

Theo, my sweet,

Three months. Oy. Is it even possible? How can the newborn days have come and gone in just the blink of an eye? You continue to be my amiable, happy, relaxed baby and your personality is starting to show in leaps and bounds. You're such a treasure and it is SO easy to love you. Your smiles are just as contagious as they were in August and now, you've added a mischievous grin to your repertoire that makes me crazy. Maybe it's the combo of said mischievous grin and the "smile reaching the eyes" thing that you've mastered. Either way, I can't get enough and I live for the way your smiles make me feel.

You don't even need words or a sing-song voice to get you going. The other night, while I was making dinner, you were watching me all the while when I turned and gave you a wordless half smile. You gave me this:

I. melted.

You are a master observer. Most of the time, you're casually observing your brother or quietly studying Griffin walking about the house. When we take you out, however, you can't take your eyes off of everything and anything that crosses your sight lines. Your head swivels about and your stares change from nonchalant to intense.

Last week, I was feeling brave and not only took you to the mall, but took you out of the stroller at the mall. You loved watching all of the comings and goings and I loved watching you take it all in.

I can't wait to teach you about everything that catches your attention and peaks your curiosity. It's a big, big world with so much to learn and it's a privilege being privy to your discoveries.

Last week, you slept for 11.5 hours straight. (!!!!) It was a Friday night and Daddy and I went to bed with the monitor on as per usual. We forgot, however, to turn the volume up. I woke up at 6:30am and immediately started freaking out. Did you need us overnight? Were you screaming and we were too exhausted to hear it? How neglectful and irresponsible could we be?! Then, logic started sinking in. "Our house is small, our bedroom door was open all night, surely we would have heard you had you been crying out to us." You were happy all morning so I figured you were unharmed and none the wiser, really. Saturday night rolled around and we made sure to have the monitor volume on like we normally do. You did it AGAIN. You slept 7pm-6:30am and we were (and are!) so, so, so grateful. Since those two glorious nights, you haven't repeated it but still, you're a rock star. If you aren't sleeping through for 11.5 hours, you're consistently sleeping 7pm-4am, eating, then sleeping 4:30am-7:30am so I'll take it. You love napping in the swing (a habit we're going to break this month!) and you easily nap in the car seat if we're on the run, as well. Heck, if you're sleepy, you still fall asleep on me, too. That's a habit we'll also break this month, as much as it'll break my heart.

You love the bath and spend most of your bathing time splashing about and ::shocker:: smiling. Sometimes Harrison helps wash your toes and Daddy sneaks in for a picture every once in a while, too.

After I wrap you in your towel, I bring you upstairs to your room and rock you and snuggle you for a few minutes before getting you into PJs. I love most of your smells, but your post-bath smell is a contender for one of the best.

While driving around lately, I've been spending a lot of time with you in the backseat. I can't say I mind it. We chat with Harrison and talk with each other and play silly games. A couple of weeks ago, I took out my phone to take your picture while making silly noises and this happened:

You wouldn't let go of my hand so I held it there, on the side of your head until you released it a few minutes later. I'm so happy I captured your face during that moment because your expression is largely how I'll remember you as you continue to grow and change by the hour. Completely content and so at peace with the world.

You're getting more fun to dress as you continue to fill out and stay in one outfit for more than an hour at a time. I reeeeaaaallly love dressing you and Harrison in coordinating outfits but I'm not sure how long Daddy will let me do it. Some of the outfits you have are too cute for me to handle, even though you barely tolerate being in them. #theotude

I know you weren't happy about the sweater vest or the hat but come on. You're a vision.

Slowly but surely, you're starting to interact with toys. You can't quite hold them but while on the play mat on your back, you swat and kick like a madman. When I lay you on Harrison's "Road Rug," it bothers him, but it makes you positively giddy.

Every once in a while, there's a little mischief in your eyes and I can't wait to see how that plays out. Go easy on your brother, please. I think you may edge him out in the size department. The unofficial bathroom scale weigh-in puts you at 16.8 pounds, which is 3+ pounds heavier than Harrison was at your age. You're our buster for sure. Breakin' hearts and makin' arm muscles.

Your curiosity grows each day and watching your brain work is marvelous. You process things so intently and I can almost see the cranks turning behind your beautiful baby blues.

You'll always be my little (big) man and I love you more than you'll ever know. Keep delighting, pleasing and loving as you do. Your easy, effortlessly content demeanor makes you a force and a marvel.

All my love, my angel,

Mommy (Daddy, too!)

A Letter To My (Second) Baby: 10 Weeks

Amanda — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 15:57:02 +0000

Theodore Dean, my love,

Welcome to the world, big guy. I'm so happy you're here!

It's been ten weeks since you came into my life and man, I thought the day would never come. The doctors and I anticipated you coming a little bit earlier than you did but you surprised everyone and hung on (in) until the very end. Even when induction day came, it seemed to pass sooo slowly until Daddy and I finally got the call at lunchtime to head to the hospital to meet you. Even then, you were in no rush until all of a sudden, you were. You allowed me a beautiful, easy pregnancy and an active pushing delivery process two minutes shorter than Don McLean's "American Pie."

Induction day was 7/12 and at first, I loved the idea of that date and didn't love the idea of the 13th. An odd number, the potential for a Friday the 13th birthday, etc. But then, Mommy's friend Kathleen (You're brilliant, KM!) pointed out that 7/13 had the same numbers as your brother's birthday (3/17) and furthermore, when read backward, it WAS your brother's birthday. All of a sudden, I was quite excited to meet you on the 13th and ready to play the lotto.

Since the minute we met nearly ten weeks ago, I've been thinking about what words I can possibly string together to let you know what you mean to me. How happy you make me. What joy and love you've brought to my life. It will be an ongoing quest, for sure, but I'll give it my best shot.

Theo, my sweet, happy, curious, charming son - when the doctor delivered you and placed your body onto mine, my chest felt as if it would burst open under the pressure of my new, expanded heart. I let out an audible, drawn-out gasp that was the most involuntary breath I'd ever taken. My eyes filled as I held you close to me. Looking at you through wet eyes, I scanned your body, taking in every possible inch and committing to memory every skin wrinkle, (and there were quite a few, my 9-pound love!) every rise and fall of your chest, every eye flutter. I did my best to stifle your cries and promised myself and God in that moment that harm would never touch you.

You cried for almost an hour and boy, did that worry me. You see, your brother didn't cry at all so I was convinced that you were going to be a tougher kid than easy-going Harrison. Well, the most crying you've ever done was in that hospital room because you haven't done much of it since. If it's possible, you're (knocking wood!!) easier than easy. Thanks for that.

You're a great sleeper. Thanks doubly for that. You fall asleep easily in my arms, when I'm wearing you, when I nurse you, when I have you thrown up over my shoulder, in your crib, in the swing, or carseat. You don't seem to prefer one position over the next. Heck, last week, you even fell asleep on the playground mulch. (On a blanket, of course.)

You have the most incredible hair and people have been commenting on it since day one. I call it hair with personality. It's a little bit blonde under certain lights, a little bit strawberry blonde in the sunshine and a little bit dirty blonde where it's thickest. When you went into the nursery at the hospital for tests and blood work, the nurse brought you back saying your hair was the talk of the room. Everyone wanted to know where I had your baby highlights done. Our friend (Hi, CK!) said she thought the "'N'Sync frosted tip look' was working for you." When I comb it over after a bath, it inevitably ends up taking shape as a mohawk on its own. In fact, we have so many pictures with your mohawk that it has become part of who you are. You don't quite look like yourself when it's slicked down or combed over.

Daddy and I call you our buster. You were big out the gates at 9 pounds, but you don't seem to be slowing down. At 10 weeks you're a little over 14 pounds and 24" long which puts you at the 90th and 93rd percentiles, respectively. You didn't wear many of your newborn clothes and your 3-month clothing has come and gone with most of it already washed, folded and packed away. You're solidly rocking 6-month clothing and even 9-12-month sizes if they're hand-me-downs from your brother. You lived in short-sleeved onesies for 4-5 weeks because it was so brutally hot and humid this summer, but now that it's cooling down and the mammoth amount of boy clothes has been sorted into appropriate "Theo sizes," you're looking much more dapper and I'm having a lot of fun dressing you - especially when I can coordinate your outfit with Harrison's. #navyandkhakialldayeveryday

Another distinguishing feature about you is the "stork bite" on your left eyelid. Believe it or not, Mommy had the same one in the same spot when she was born, which makes me feel that much closer to you (like I needed another reason!). We're told it will fade by your first birthday but we'll be fine if it sticks around longer. It makes you you and it's like a mood ring for your face - a good indicator of how angry or happy you may be.

You're as strong and alert as they come. You started trying to lift your head immediately after birth and love to flail around like you're trying to get up and go. Your legs don't stop kicking and your newest move is to push off of the person who's holding you to try to bend backwards. Good thing we have good reflexes. We do lots of tummy time with you and I'd even go as far as saying that you enjoy it. You're drawn to light, your brother, movement and mine and Daddy's voices. You love when I wear you facing out. You take everything in and are a real observer.

You haven't done too much traveling over the last couple of months. I was nervous to venture out with both you and Harrison at first, so your main outings consisted of trips to Daddy's softball games and playgrounds. You felt at home at both and I slowly grew more comfortable with taking the two of you all over the place.

You started giving us some really incredible smiles between 5 and 6 weeks old. I mean really. incredible. smiles.

I've heard the expression "a smile that reaches the eyes" but I can honestly say I'd never experienced it until meeting you. Your smile lights up your entire face and everyone in this house has a gut reaction to smile right back. Harrison especially loves watching you smile. I have been trying to get a picture of him smiling at your smile, but for now, I'm enjoying it in real time while the two of you communicate wordlessly. You have goofy smiles (above) and sweet smiles (below). I love each and every one of them. Please don't stop smiling my happy, happy boy.

Griffin had no issue with you coming home. He got used to you right away and has since shown fairly little interest. That will change! At this point, I think he's given up on ruling the house and is resigned to rolling with the punches that two boys bring.

Thanks in part to you being such an easy baby, you've really adjusted to life in our little school house seamlessly. You go with the flow and are up for whatever adventure the weekends may hold. You're present for all of the story times, meals and outings, and we can't wait until you get more involved with all of the above. I can't remember our home without you in it. I can't remember my life before you arrived. You make the house (and my life) fuller, louder, happier and far more chaotic but I wouldn't change any of it.

After a couple of books and songs, you're asleep each night by 7pm. We can count on you to sleep until 1-3am before your feeding. Sometimes you'll go from that one feeding until 5:30-6am and sometimes you'll sneak in a quick second feeding before waking up around 7am. We will take it. You seem to really like your room, which makes me happy. We put you in the crib at 10 days old and haven't looked back. You really love it, and Mommy and Daddy like our quality of sleep although sometimes I miss waking up and seeing your angelic, moonlit face in the co-sleeper next to me. You're still swaddled at night, and seem to like that as well, although you're busting out of it - I think sleep sacks are on the horizon for you.

We named you Theodore because it's a name Daddy and I loved with but also because it means "Gift from God," just like my name. You're Theodore Dean after Daddy and the two Deans that preceded him. We're calling you Theo because it's too darn cute and it fits you oh-so-perfectly. Sometimes Daddy calls you "T-Bones" and "TheoBeo" inexplicably slips out of my mouth more than a few times a day. Harrison seems to prefer your whole name, "Feodore Dean." Ha! Whatever we call you over the years, know that you are a true gift from God and you're more perfect than we could have ever imagined.

After your birth, we spent two nights in the hospital and on the second night, Daddy went home to get uninterrupted sleep. It was me and you against the world, kid. The nurses didn't approve, but for the 10 hours Daddy was gone, I stole you from the bassinet next to the bed and brought you into bed with me. For 10 glorious, snuggly hours. You slept and fed and I held you and watched you while silent tears of pure joy rolled like a leaky faucet down my face onto your impossibly warm and soft skin. Your skin was pressed to my skin and those 10 hours were among the best of my life as we drifted in and out of sleep together without a worry in the world.

Theo, I'm already so proud of you and wake up each morning even happier than normal because I know you're waiting for me just up the stairs.

Love abounds,

Mommy (Daddy, too!)

I Got 99 Problems But A Front Door Ain't One

Amanda — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 18:41:58 +0000

Hit me! I haven't posted to this blog in 3 months and I owe it (and you) 3 definitive posts. I'm behind on our board & batten post (pre-Thanksgiving), our new front door post (pre-Hanukkah) and Harrison's 21-month letter (pre-Christmas). Oops. Here's an update on our front door while I get the other two posts together. Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy 2016. There. All caught up.

We first looked at this house in April 2009 and since April 2009, I've been dreaming of a new front door.

Our front door was nothing to write home about. I'd actually describe it as being sort of gross. Yet, as it is with most things when you're rehabbing a home project by project, there's always something in the hopper that's a little more "pressing" and the door didn't really come to the front of the line until this past Fall. It should have, but it didn't.

The storm door was dirty, dated and dented (what a combo!) and Griffin had to go through great balancing lengths just to be able to see me get the mail.

The door itself was never installed properly so it squeaked and leaked an incredible amount of cold air when old man Winter rolled around. You couldn't even call it a draft. It was a serious cold air stream assault. Our first step was to hit Lowe's to peruse our options and get an idea of what was out there, what it might cost us, and how fast it could happen. Matt was mostly concerned with the latter two where I was concerned with what colors were options. I had yellow in my head to match our back door, but it wasn't an option.

Then I got a soft green sage color stuck in my head but that option was an additional few hundred dollars. It got nixed. I was on the fence between Roma Red and Evergreen but ended up going with my gut.

Actually, we didn't go with my gut right then. We brought the color card home to think about and asked a few trusted locals for contractor recommendations. You see, we're DIYers, sure, but when you need something done as daunting and precise as hanging a front door, we readily admitted we'd need reinforcements. Matt had replaced our back storm door, but we were nervous of the door itself coupled with the age of the house. Enter Rich, a talented local guy who helped us out.

Rich took measurements, gave us a price and told us to call him when the door came into Lowe's so he could go and pick it up for us. When the door came in six weeks after placing the order with Lowe's, it didn't disappoint. I loved the red color and the smooth factory finish. We could have painted it ourselves and saved $200, but the factory finish was worth it.

Six weeks after ordering it placed us in December for the delivery. Yep, December. Replacing a door. In December. When it's cold. Oy.

Rich had a few other projects he was finishing up and came by to start a few days later. We figured it'd take a day or two and he'd be on his merry way. On the morning he was slated to arrive, Matt started taking down some of the surrounding trim around the existing door and his little helper was never far behind with a hammer of his own.

I took a final shot of our old door (cute model, right?!) and Rich got to work.

Once the trim was off, Rich was set up with his tools and a few hours later, we were without a door.

If it looks like there's a plastic bag inside, you're kind of right. Seeing as it was December, Rich set up a mini tent, if you will, to work within so as much cold air as possible would be contained.

I was so grateful, however ugly it was. I was also extremely grateful for the 40 and 50 degree days we had while tackling this... the next door gets replaced in June.

Even before Rich started digging down into the bottom threshold to see what he'd be workin' with, he found some evidence that the door was never installed properly and further confirmed it was in dire need of replacement.

Yep, that's the side jamb CRACKING. No wonder we had a stream of cold air numbing our toes and hands each Winter! As the side jamb/old sill removal progressed, Rich called to my attention the beam that had supported the old door. You can see the top half of it under our hardwoods.

If you can't see well enough, here's a close up of the disintegrating beam.

Rich explained it to me and basically, the "beam" was put in back in 1875 when the house was built to be a small school house in town. Between old termite damage (that previous owner's neglected) and age, the beam that sat on our stone foundation was essentially turning to dust and the constant movement as we entered and exited the house wasn't helping matters.

I called Matt at work, and he actually came home at lunch to see for himself and talk about the plan going forward. Obviously, we knew this would double our timeline of 1-2 days and increase the cost significantly.

After a brief discussion, (we needed a door ASAP - we'd used a plywood door bolted to the frame each night) we decided to have Rich go ahead and remove the pieces of beam that had deteriorated and jack up as much of the frame as possible with pressure treated wood pieces and metal shims.

He'd then mix some cement and pour the cement into the opening, letting it seep into the gaps and crevices to create a solid foundation on which the door could sit. We weren't ready to have a structural engineer come in and tell us we'd need to pay $10k for a job for which we'd budgeted $1,200-$1,500. Rich assured us that it would be as solid as possible and while it may not hold for another 135 years, it'll do the job for a good long while to come. That was okay for us.

The cement took about a day to set and finally, we prepared ourselves to see a new door in the giant opening we'd now been staring at for four days.

I fell more and more in love with the color once it was up near the black shutters and white (dirty and in need of a cleaning, but white) siding.

Rich did a beautiful job trimming out the whole thing and even replacing a piece of decking that was damaged in the process. Boy, was it a mess, though. Totally expected, but messy.

The total cost with labor and materials was just shy of $1,800 which was a little higher than we anticipated, but given the scope of the job once we started (literally) digging, it was worth every penny. With it installed and sporting new hardware and a new storm door, the fun part came: the Christmas decorating! As predicted, Griffin LOVES the full-view glass. Harrison thinks it's pretty cool, too.

I love the final product.

I can't wait to change out the decor with each season, feel the morning Summer sun streaming in and most importantly, enjoy toasty toes from November-March.

DIY Learning Tower

Amanda — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 15:28:00 +0000

After a long, relaxing summer where we didn't tackle any major projects, we knocked one out yesterday. I've wanted a learning tower for some time, thinking it will help keep Harrison in the kitchen when I'm cooking, instead of stirring up trouble in the front room where I can't see him. I didn't, however, want to shell out $200.

If you haven't heard of a learning tower, you're not alone. I hadn't heard of one until going to a friend's house (Hi, MO!) and seeing one in her kitchen. Basically, it's an adjustable step stool on steroids. Here's the stock image for the "real" Learning Tower on Amazon.

Nope, that's not my kitchen, my kid nor my learning tower. Stock image, remember? Here's my kitchen, my kid and our new learning tower that we built in a few hours for about $40.

It was a relatively quick (as quick as can be with a toddler running around) and easy build, thanks to the amazing plans we found on Ana White's website. If you haven't heard of her, Ana White is an Alaskan woman that built her house and practically everything in it. Yeah, she's amazing.

We went to Lowe's Sunday morning to get a quote for a new front door and while we were there, we picked up the lumber we'd need for the build. When we got it home, Matt was all too excited to set up his new miter saw stand to aid in the cuts. We hooked the Shop-Vac up to the circular saw and while it did a pretty good job of containing the dust, we still have plenty of clean up to do.

We thought about skipping the arches because of the level of difficulty it added, but ultimately kept them in because they looked nice and they add an extra inch or two of safety on the sides. Matt freehanded the arches in pencil using a few measured guides and used the jigsaw to cut them out.

The arches then went in to the bench vice to get a sanding before they'd be screwed in.

With the arches cut and sanded, we laid out all of the wood for inspection.

Once the inspector gave us the go ahead, it was assembly time. We used our Kreg jig to drill pocket holes so none of the screws would be visible from the outside of the piece.

Assembly was quick.

The arches were only held in by one screw so they twisted ever so slightly under pressure. Matt took them out and applied wood glue before screwing them in again and that seemed to help.

We were able to get it completely assembled before Harrison's curiosity won over.

Those giant, curious eyes kill me. I think the tower will predominantly live in the kitchen but when it's not in there with me, you better believe it'll be at Matt's workbench - my boys workin' side by side.

While I put Harrison to bed, Matt gave the whole thing a good sanding so it was ready for Harrison upon waking.

It was a big hit and continues to be a big hit. The platform Harrison's standing on is adjustable so it can easily be moved to any of the lower rungs... perfect for his ever-lengthening legs and my constant need for help in the kitchen. ;)

It's unfinished still, but I plan to paint it. I was thinking navy blue. I also thought about chalkboard paint on the sides so there's a place for Harrison to color, but I'm not crazy about navy blue and chalkboard black side by side. We can't stain it because we didn't use premium wood. Oh well, we have some time to think about it. The real challenge will be getting Harrison out of it long enough for me to paint it. I told Matt I want him to take a Sharpie and write a "note" to Harrison under the standing platform, so he'll have it for when we pass this thing on to his kids one day. If he doesn't destroy it first, of course.

A Letter To My Husband (5 Years)

Amanda — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 23:24:01 +0000

Hi.

Happy October 15th, my love.

You just left for softball on our fifth wedding anniversary and just as I told you last week when you found out you had a game tonight, I'm not mad. After all, softball is a commitment, your team is counting on you and above all, the season is almost over. You told me that if I said the word, you'd skip the game but the way you honor your commitments is one of the 2,962,541 things I love about you. Lord knows I get more Matt than I can handle as soon as the season ends. Insert winky face here.

All day, people have been asking me if five years of marriage flew by. What do you think? In a way, it has, sure. We look so young in pictures from five years ago but I don't feel like that much time has passed for us to have aged that much. I think that's one of the most fascinating parts of living with another person. How the constant change equates essentially no change at all. Until you look back at pictures, of course. To me, your face hasn't changed a bit but when I look back at what we looked like on our wedding day or four years earlier when we met... wow. We were babies.

The last nine years have been the best of my life but the last five, since we took that solemn oath together on a drizzly, gray day at my childhood church... they've been without equal. We transformed our fixer upper and began to explore our sleepy little town. We became adoptive parents to our quirky, anxious, fiercely loyal speedster known as Griffin. We traveled to new cities and experienced new adventures. We tackled a scary diagnosis. We welcomed Harrison Mark into our open arms and had our world rocked beyond comprehension. I wouldn't trade any of it for anything, because it's all unfolding exactly how it's supposed to.

As you know, I am not indecisive, I make my mind up very quickly and I rarely second guess a decision once it's been made. Well, I fell in love with you very, very quickly and I've never once second guessed the process or the outcome.

There are indeed 2,962,541 (and counting...) reasons I love you but I don't have time to list them all right now. You just called to say you're ten minutes from home so since this is serving as your card, I better get going with what I can type in ten minutes or less.

I love how you love me. Above all else.**

I love how you sing to me while brushing your teeth and I love how you have to catch the toothpaste that falls out of the corner of your mouth as you do so. I love how the songs are mostly made-up and I have to let you know, your lyrical prowess impresses me.

I love how even though you don't want to do some of the many ideas that I bring up, you agree to do them anyway and I love that after doing them, you come to love them, too.

I love that your idea of a delicious meal is a grilled cheese sandwich.

I love that you don't like to dance in public (unless you've had a lot of drinks but you'll dance for me and Harrison. I love that you know how much I love to dance and are perfectly content to let me do so as you sit at the table/bar alone.

I love that even though you can afford something nicer, you drive the same beat-up Saturn so that we can save that much more money each month. I love that you don't care about what people think (about the beat-up Saturn or otherwise).

I love how you support our family in all the ways a good man should - you love, you defend, you protect, you care, you invest your everything.

I love how you make me laugh.

I love how you make me feel young.

I love how I still get butterflies waiting for you to pull into the driveway.

I love that you're literally the best man for me and beyond - when I dreamt about my dream man growing up and after each previous relationship fizzled, I was dreaming about you.

I love your infectious smile. I love how not many people know about your infectious smile.

I love how you have high standards for yourself and those you love.

I love how you get so unbelievably silly at home.

I love our home life and I love the life we call home.

I love that you're a homebody like me.

I love how you've come to love my family and I love how I've come to love yours.

I love how small my hand feels when it's nestled inside yours. I love how small my body feels when it's curled up against yours.

I love how easy our love is and I love how naturally we love each other.

I love how I miss you after just a few short hours. I love that being away from you for a night still makes me crazy.

I love how you ask me to put an outfit together for you if you're wearing anything beyond jeans and a tee and I love the way you look when you get dressed up.

I love everything about you and I even love the things I don't love, because they make you who you are.

**The way you love me is not really what I love above all else. The way you love Harrison is what I love above all else. You're truly the best father in the whole world. You listen to him, you read with him, you play with him and the best part is, you'd rather be doing those things more than any of the other things you love. Just like me, you'd die for him.

As I've said from the beginning and as I've written on every card I've ever written you, you're the center of my world. It's simple, it's right, and it's true.

Here's to another incredible five years and beyond.

Your girl,

Mand

A Letter To My Baby (18 Months)

Amanda — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 18:36:18 +0000

Hi Harr Bear!

If I had any problem calling you a "toddler" up until this point, I better get over it because we're now closer to your second birthday than your first and that. is. crazy.

You're over 33" tall and 24 1/2 pounds. You're a full-blown toddler for sure. You've moved very quickly from walking to full-on running, flashing your signature happy face all the while. You infuse a light into my life that I never knew existed, even when I thought I'd seen it at full capacity. The light grows daily. Hourly. By the minute. My heart is constantly swollen with equal parts pride, love and fascination.

You can say (mostly) every family member's name and you can recognize Mama and Daddy's cars as well as the cars that Nana, Grampa, Mimi and Cook (Uncle Nick) drive. You also say "Tarsi" but instead of Harrison, you call yourself "Harr Bear" which comes out sounding like "Hubbah."

You're napping once a day. On the shorter side, the naps are 40 minutes and a good napping day is 90 minutes. Mama has friends with babies that nap waaaaayyy longer than that but I'll take what I can get. You still give us 12-13 hours at night so 40 minutes is fine. Don't get me wrong though, 90 minutes is better.

I flipped your car seat around and your legs and feet seem to love the newly afforded freedom. You especially love being able to see exactly what I do while we're driving around. Excavator! Point. Dump truck! Point. School bus! Point.

Over the last few months, we did so many things that were quintessentially "summer" and you loved all of them. We spent hours exploring the yard each day. We beached, we pooled, we boated, we laked.

You kicked your legs and blew bubbles like a champ. Without fear, you routinely plunged your face into any body of water (including your little bathtub!) and chuckled afterwards. You touched hermit crabs and horseshoe crabs. Mama gave you your first "buzz cut" and coincidentally, (or not) your first professional haircut followed two months later.

We went to the playground a few times each week and you grew more able and brave with each visit. The slide is definitely your favorite part...

You had your first ice pop (you didn't love it) and we had more ice cream than we should admit. We ran barefoot in the grass.

We played with dirt. We experimented with sand. We color coordinated for July 4th and waved American flags at the town parade.

We splashed in your pool and water table. We swayed in hammocks and you took your first baseball bat swing.

You're now completely obsessed with baseball bats and in mere days, your swing has already progressed from the video below. Daddy is over the moon.

We hunted frogs and played with friends. We splashed in puddles (before the drought) and you got your first splinter. We did lots and lots and lots of grocery shopping.

We watched Daddy play ball and listened to live music in a park. You even stayed up past your bedtime. A couple of times, at least. If last Summer was characterized by eliciting smiles from your 4-month old mouth, this Summer would be characterized by eliciting belly laughs. Hearty, knock-you-over-in-the-process belly laughs. The easiest way for me to get them is slapstick humor (e.g. smacking myself in the head) or jumping out at you from a covert hiding spot. Whatever it takes, I'm going to keep getting 'em, because it's the purest, happiest sound in the whole world.

You can identify a few letters and we're working on others. Your willingness to learn new things is astonishing. You're still obsessed with books and will routinely flip through them for the better part of a half hour with no prompting from yours truly.

Your favorite books are lift-the-flap truck books but you'll peruse just about anything, including the giant stack of magazines Mommy neglects. You especially love flipping through children's clothing catalogs, pointing out the animals on t-shirts and smiling and waving at the children wearing them.

Speaking of waving, you wave at everything and everyone. You're as friendly as they come. Pick-up truck? Wave. Heron in the back yard? Wave. A mailman on a route across town from our own? Wave. It's quite endearing.

You love music but have yet to do any singing. When that happens? Watch out. I'll be burning through memory card after memory card. Your favorite song by far is Omi's "Cheerleader." You request it by asking, "Yeah Yeah?" like the lyric and you bop your head when the first chords start, pairing the head bopping with a sly smile out of the corner of your mouth. If you're crying, this song settles you and if you're trying to fall asleep outside of your crib, it serves as a lullaby. It's weird, yes, but it works.

We did a Cape Cod Summer road trip and you had a ball playing in the sand and exploring new surroundings while spending quality time with family. Shortly thereafter, you took your first plane ride and undeniably rocked it.

You see, we visited Auntie Lissa and Cor Cor in Texas and were saddled with a two-and-a-half hour runway wait to kick off the trip. You were on the plane for a total of six hours and didn't cry at all. In fact, you entertained us, entertained yourself, entertained those around us and even took a nap on Mama. We read lots of lift-the-flap books, sang lots of songs, watched lots of home videos, ate lots of snacks and listened to lots of "Cheerleader." Daddy and I say that we're never going to doubt you again. Not that we doubted you, per se, but every toddler has his limit and we thought you'd hit yours eventually. Nope. You transitioned to a new house and a new time zone with ease and went with the flow each and every day. We are so grateful for and marvel at what an easy baby you've been the last 18 months. I'm biting my tongue, of course.

Your bedtime routine hasn't changed much in the last few months with the exception of a little more "chair time." We now spend 10-30 minutes in the rocker before bed reading and singing and at any point during that time, you gaze up at me (as if to make sure I'm still there) and smile that gorgeous, happy smile of yours before laying your head back down on my chest. I can't do anything but silently smile back. I'm paralyzed in that moment. It's so completely involuntary that it catches me off guard in the best way possible. Your happiness is so directly correlated with my own.

You're growing into a smart, compassionate, caring, funny boy and it's the ride of a lifetime to watch. Your stock disposition is cheerful, playful, inquisitive and kind and it's a pleasure to be around you. You make my job so easy and for that, I'm so grateful. You have your moments, sure, but they're so few and far in between that, especially when writing you this letter, they're so easy to overlook.

I can't wait to experience Fall and Winter with you. There's so much fun to come.

Happy 1 1/2 Birthday, my sweet Harrison.

Love,

Mama (Daddy, too!)