To my sweet babe Abe,
I hope you know how much I love you. I hope you know that you are my angel, my darling, my star. I love you more than the mountains, more than the stars, more than the fireflies lighting up jars. To the moon and back. You are my sunshine.
18 months ago YOU changed my life. To think that I knew what “love” was before I met you… Becoming a mom, your mom, is the greatest blessing life can give me. Thank you for changing my life.
Watching you grow is an adventure. It’s fun. It’s exciting. It’s exhausting. But I wouldn’t change your love for sticks, dirt, climbing on things that are too tall, running around like a mad man, your sense of adventure, that laugh (oh, that laugh), your personality (albeit, strongwilled) for anything in the world. To me, you are perfect. I love the time that we’ve been able to spend together. 18 months, just the two of us. I’m thankful that I don’t have to work, that I get to spend my days with you. Learning and seeing life from a different perspective. I love our big adventures (check out our #bucketlistbeforebaby) and our little ones (trips to the park, a walk around the neighborhood). I love the way you learn, you are smart, and I hope you always like to learn new things. You make me laugh, you are so funny. And when you laugh, I wish I could bottle that little laugh up forever. It’s medicine for the soul. I love your sweet hugs and kisses, especially the unexpected ones (some of my favorites are when we’re at Whole Foods and you grab me a hug me, and you don’t let go for at least 60 seconds. It’s the best). I love putting you to bed and reading you books. I love singing to you before you fall asleep. And while I haven’t put you to bed every single night of your life, I’ve never spent a night away from you. Not because I couldn’t but because I didn’t want to. I love your (seemingly) excitement for the baby, each day you ask to hear the heartbeat (he’s been to all of my appointments with me), you hug and kiss the baby, you say “hi baby”. It’s such a sweet gift to witness.
Which leads me to, you being a BIG BROTHER. You are going to be a great big brother. I already know it. You are all boy but you have the sweetest little heart, and I know you are going to love the baby.
Things are going to change. I know they will, at least at first, and that’s scary to me. But seeing you with your new brother or sister will change all of that. It will be an adjustment. But you’re resilient, and I know you’ll adapt. We might not have as many adventures at first, but daddy or Aunt Lindsey or Gigi will fill-in temporarily. And I promise to spend at least 30 minutes with you, just us two, while we adjust to a family of four. The baby is going to need me, a lot, and I hope you’ll understand.
I love you. I hope you always know how much I love you. And no matter what, you will always be my firstborn, the one that made me a mom. Your mom.
I thank God for you.
love,
mommy
photo credit: betsey darley photography
if you live in Northern Virginia, check out Betsey Darley. She’s an amazing photographer and I couldn’t be happier with all of the beautiful moments she captures.
Just read this Melody and it brought me to tears. I hope you and your little family are doing well.