22Nov11
There’s something magical about the 2nd baby. Your brother was the first. He got more attention and commands the world far more than you will ever have the luxury. But don’t feel sorry for yourself. Because of him, you have perpetual entertainment and an extra person to adore you (and adore you, he does). Because you’re the 2nd, I can look at you and see the little person you are becoming and have a better appreciation of what’s inside that silly baby-body of yours. And because you’re the 2nd, I’m freaking out a whole lot less.
Things are crazier with 2, but also fuller. There’s so much of you to love – the way you reach for my face with your grabby hands and pull my face to your sloppy mouth. How you scream at night and fall silent the moment I touch you and you relax as you burrow your snorty face in my neck. Your frantic excitement when I lift you from your bed in the morning and the first wide smile of the day as you look at me. Your world is so small and consists mostly of me. Sometimes this is overwhelming, but mostly it is sweet. As scrumptious as you are in your current state, I wouldn’t hit pause even if I could. The real magic is in who you will become. Those cheeks will melt away, you’ll no longer try to suck on my face, the mommy-adoring gaze will fade, but if we do a good job, you stand an great chance of growing into a beautiful young woman – gracious, compassionate, and so much more. One day you’ll even have teeth.
Turning 3...
08Nov11...starts with a stack of pancakes capped off with a candle and round 1 of happy birthday...
...and somewhere in the middle there's a party with lots of friends, cupcakes and round 2 of candles and happy birthday...
... and it finishes up with a candle-adorned bowl of oatmeal (because somebody didn't eat anything at his party) and round 3 of happy birthday
