My Liam

Dear Liam,

It's hard to believe that your first birthday has come and gone! You are almost 15 months old. While you were our unexpected surprise, I know that you were always meant to be. I am so happy you came along when you did...I didn't know our family was missing someone until I met you.

Liam-um (as Michael says), you are my little bear. You may be big physically but you are totally a mamma's boy. I must admit I love that about you. Your smile lights up a room and your happy chuckle is so contagious- it always brings me so much happiness. You always seem to have a twinkle in your eye and a mischievous grin. You have a great sense of humor. The sweetness of your face is something I will always treasure. You make Daddy laugh all of the time and he has the hardest time correcting you without letting a smile slip out.

You adore your brother (and he adores you!), yet you are your own person and your personality always comes shining through. You will definitely give Michael a run for his money in the very near future. Watching you and Michael bond as brothers is a gift and I am so glad that you two compliment each other. Of course you don't always get along...but you do genuinely have fun together. While I was pregnant with you, I often worried about how I would handle caring for you and your brother. I didn't want either of you to feel left out, even for a minute. As soon as you were born, you were a perfect fit. Thank goodness you are a patient baby because heaven knows you have done your share of waiting!

I call you my bear mainly because of your little bear voice. You have a deeper voice than Michael and it has a very boy quality to it. I love the sound of the noises you make when you wake up in the morning and listening to you babble. I love hearing you join in singing with Michael. You are already doing or starting to do many things such as: trying to count and say your ABCs...sing Twinkle Twinkle, Row-Row-Row, Baby Face, among others...recite parts of "No more monkeys jumping on the bed"...PattyCake...and lots of other things like that--mostly thanks to your brother teaching them to you in his own way.

You are my joy each and every day. I can't wait to see what discoveries you make tomorrow. As one of your favorite books says, "Baby cakes, baby cakes, I love you...Baby cakes, baby cakes, yes I do!".

Love,
Mommy

My Michael

For quite some time, I have been struggling to write a letter to each of my boys. I have the beginnings of letters but no completed product. It's been too long and it's time to get at least one done for each.

Dear Michael,

You are our little man! Ever since the day you were born, you just fit right into our lives. Everyone says how hard it is to be first-time parents and how so much changes but I honestly feel that Daddy and I were SO ready for you. All those changes didn't matter. The only tough times were related to colic and that was a hard time for you too because we had to find the right formula to calm your gassy little tummy. If that's the worst thing so far, then we are doing pretty well- I hope you feel the same way.

I can't ever express in words how much I truly love you. You sparkle in a way that lights up my life and the way that you express your thoughts and feelings these days is just amazing. I have waited a looong time to know what was on your mind. You've been talking for a while but in these most recent months, your ability to express yourself is just incredible!!! You can answer questions, bring things up on your own and even hold a nice little conversation. I love talking to you! I love it when you call me "Monny"- for some reason, you don't like to say Mommy? Maybe some day you can tell me about that :)

I love it when you say "I love you"...I love when ask for a "tiss" on your boo-boos...I love when you give smoochy kisses and squeezy hugs. I love when you say you would like a "sweet treat". Lately you've been referring to things as being "so cute". Probably because I say that to you and Liam about a million times a day. One particularly great moment was when you told me that my bed was "so cute"- mostly because you wanted to sleep there instead of in your crib. I am so lucky to be able to spend most of every day with you!! Having all this time with you is priceless and no salary could ever be worth the precious time I have shared with you. I did work full time for most of your first year and while I know you were in loving, capable hands, I know I did miss out on some things. But I also know our bond is strong and you are a happy, healthy little guy...so we must be on the right path.

I love watching you grow and learn...I don't want you to grow up too fast but I also don't want to hold you back from exploring and discovering new things each day. I hope that Daddy and I have found a good balance with that. I hope you know that our family feels so perfect with you in it and I can't imagine life without you. The beauty of your face is too much for me sometimes and I feel myself tearing up a bit when I look at your profile or when you have certain expression on your face. For some reason, I have always loved your hair- even when you were mostly bald. I love the smell of it (clean or not so clean) and I love how your skin still has its baby-softness. I love snuggling with you, running around, working on a project and most of all laughing with you!

You are my beautiful little boy and you will always be "the one who made mommy a mommy for the first time". I wish I could capture all the love that Daddy and I have for you in this letter but it's impossible to describe it completely with just words. My hope is that you feel it every day!!

I love you Michael Peter!
Love,
Monny