It's official. I'm in love. It is still amazing to me that my eight month old little man can simultaneously break my heart and make it swell with pride. I was struck by this when driving Riley to "school" this morning. As I turned around to look at him in the back seat like I have done every day since he was born (don't worry, I only do it while safely stopped at a stop light - what kind of mom do you think I am?!?!), I almost burst into tears. There he was looking right back at me using Panda (his mirror). Not only is it cool that he has now figured out how to use the mirror to look at me, but what did he do -- SMILE. And a great big smile as if to say, "I love you, Mommmy". I almost missed the green light because I certainly was not going to be the first one of the two of us to look away.
Only about 5 minutes later I was again struck by this simultaneous sadness and pride. When I dropped him off at "school" and he saw Miss Tamilia and Miss Niga (his teachers), he instantly grinned at them as he does every day (he is such a flirt). But then, much to my dismay, he actually held his arms out for THEM instead of wanting to hang on to ME any longer. I was proud of him for his independence, but sad to know that I am no longer his first choice.
I guess I should get used to it.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
And another month goes by...
Well, here it is - the beginning of November. Can Thanksgiving really only be two weeks away? And then Christmas. What they say about life going by in the blink of an eye seems more and more true every year. I just want life to S-L-O-W D-O-W-N!
So much has happened in the last month that I'm sure I'll forget to mention a lot of it.
First things first -- eating developments. Two weekends ago Riley was super whiny. He does not whine often, so our first thoughts were that he had either begun teething or he had come down with some new ailment from daycare. Two days of whining went by before we realized that the poor guy was starving. I suppose that would make me cranky too. So we upped his bottles from 6 ounces per meal to 8 ounces per meal. Problem solved, right? Well, not so much. He was still a bit "fussy" at school (which is so unusual that they actually wrote it on his daily log), so they politely encouraged us to try introducing some rice cereal (which, I will note, we DID understand that we should be trying anyway; however, we were determined that his first rice cereal should happen on a weekend in case it didn't go well and somehow interfered with his sleep schedule -- after two weekends came and went because one event or another got in the way of our grand scheme, we finally gave in and decided we could try it on a week night). So on October 27, one day short of his 5-month birthday, Riley had his first "real" food. As I'm sure it must be with every baby, the experience was hilarious. He didn't really understand the spoon, would hold the cereal in his mouth for a few seconds and then decide it was fun to use it to blow bubbles, and generally had a big time. Not to mention that he sat in his high chair for the first time. I doubt much food actually was consumed, but many pictures and videos were taken of the event. Each day he seems to enjoy eating more and more. Last night when Casey fed him, he even grabbed the spoon and wanted to hold it (more like play with it) himself. I suspect we will be adding some fruits and veggies to his diet before too long.
First Rice Cereal
Physical developments: We haven't had Riley weighed or measured since his 4-month check-up, but I'd be willing to say that he's grown quite a bit since then. He is developing quite a little belly at this point (see feeding developments above). I also think he is getting taller, as he is pretty much too big for his infant carseat at this point. He has loved his carseat since the first time he sat in it, but he is starting to get quite uncomfortable in it. So we have bought his "big boy" carseat and will have it installed this week. It can hold him until he is 65 lbs, so I hope he likes it!!! His 3-6 month clothes are starting to get too small, so I am going to have to fold up another batch of my favorite truly "baby" clothes and start the process of putting 6-12 month clothes in his closet. I can tell you that the 6-12 month items seem so much bigger and more grown up (more patterns and bright colors and less baby blue), and I am probably going to be in tears again when I fold his sweet little boy clothes for the last time (I was borderline hysterical when I had to pack up his newborn clothes -- thank goodness Casey was on his guys' weekend when I did that).
Beyond just growing, he has all sorts of new capabilities. He is rolling really well now from his back to his front. He is sleeping on his side now instead of flat on his back. He can spend about 30 minutes in his exersaucer before tiring out. He has less use for his swing and more use for his jumping toy (the kid LOVES to jump). He is starting to understand cause and effect (i.e. if he jumps, the music starts playing or if he his one of the keys on the piano, it lights up). He is extremely interested in Winston and Wrigley and has started reaching out to pet them (although it is more like grabbing at their hair and pulling really hard -- they have been great sports, which was to be expected). He grabs at absolutely everything and then proceeds to stick it in his mouth (this includes his feet).
His language skills, if you can call them that, are also coming along. He is doing a lot of what I will call shrieking, for lack of a better word. Not the kind of shrieking that hurts your eardrums, but funny and cute (but loud) sounds. He is also concentrating a lot when trying to use his lips to form sounds. So cute to watch. He is particularly talkative when getting his diaper changed. Diaper changes still continue to be some of my favorite times of the day.
Riley continues to be an easygoing little guy. Lots of smiles. Not much crying (only when Mom and Dad are too dumb to realize he's starving). Still a great sleeper (oh, I forgot to mention that as of two days ago, he no longer requires his 10:00 p.m. feeding -- we still put him down to bed after his 7:30 feeding and he will sleep non-stop until about 6:30 a.m., at which point he will wake up and "talk" to Wally until about 7:00 when he lets us know he's ready to get up and have some breakfast -- as an aside, I'm not sure if 6:30 will become his normal "waking" time or if this is the result of the time change (fall back) that just happened to occur on the same night that we did away with the 10:00 feeding; prior to that, he'd sleep until 7:30 a.m.). He is also a tremendous traveler still. He can amuze himself in his carseat (usually by playing with his ladybug or by staring at himself in the mirror) for fairly long periods of time and then will usually drift off to sleep without much fuss. On our drive to and from Amelia Island this past weekend to visit Casey's parents, he probably cried 10 minutes or less during the 15 or so hours we spent in the car. I'd say that's pretty good.
Speaking of our trip to Florida, we had a ball over the weekend. It was Halloween so there were lots of activities going on at the Plantation. Winston and Wrigley took part in the pet costume parade (Winston was Darth Vader, Wrigley was Princess Leah -- incidentally, Riley was supposed to be an Ewok, but ended up sleeping through the entire thing and never even made it into his costume). We all got some good quality time with Casey's parents. Besides the costume parade, the two highlights of the weekend for me were that Riley took a few naps on my chest (the little guy was worn out), which he hasn't done for months and which he probably won't do much more in the future, and that he really took a liking to the pool. Over the summer when we'd put him in the pool at the Club, he didn't really know what to make of it. Now he splashes the water with his hands, kicks his feet and tries to drink the water.
Amazing what a difference a few months can make. It was sooooo much fun for Casey and I to watch him in the pool. Such a goof.
Since this is the "Otis Family Blog" and not the "Riley Blog", I should probably devote some time to the rest of the family. Wrigley continues to be Wrigley -- devoted to playing ball and little else (she does, however, believe that she's Riley's mother and is constantly licking him and on guard to protect him from evil until it's time for her to take a nap or play ball). Winston is still our sweet little boy. Unfortunately, as they warned us would likely happen, the ACL in his other knee is on the fritz. It appears that another surgery is imminent -- most likely in early 2010. Poor guy, I know he will be brave, but I also know how much he disliked the experience last time around. I know he was in a lot of pain, but I think it killed him more that he couldn't come along on the daily walks or sleep in the bed or play with Wrigley -- all things that he is passionate about. Hopefully this surgery will be as successful as the last and he'll be good as new in time for Spring. Casey and I are good, but busy trying to juggle the things we did in our "old lives" with being devoted parents. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
So much has happened in the last month that I'm sure I'll forget to mention a lot of it.
First things first -- eating developments. Two weekends ago Riley was super whiny. He does not whine often, so our first thoughts were that he had either begun teething or he had come down with some new ailment from daycare. Two days of whining went by before we realized that the poor guy was starving. I suppose that would make me cranky too. So we upped his bottles from 6 ounces per meal to 8 ounces per meal. Problem solved, right? Well, not so much. He was still a bit "fussy" at school (which is so unusual that they actually wrote it on his daily log), so they politely encouraged us to try introducing some rice cereal (which, I will note, we DID understand that we should be trying anyway; however, we were determined that his first rice cereal should happen on a weekend in case it didn't go well and somehow interfered with his sleep schedule -- after two weekends came and went because one event or another got in the way of our grand scheme, we finally gave in and decided we could try it on a week night). So on October 27, one day short of his 5-month birthday, Riley had his first "real" food. As I'm sure it must be with every baby, the experience was hilarious. He didn't really understand the spoon, would hold the cereal in his mouth for a few seconds and then decide it was fun to use it to blow bubbles, and generally had a big time. Not to mention that he sat in his high chair for the first time. I doubt much food actually was consumed, but many pictures and videos were taken of the event. Each day he seems to enjoy eating more and more. Last night when Casey fed him, he even grabbed the spoon and wanted to hold it (more like play with it) himself. I suspect we will be adding some fruits and veggies to his diet before too long.
First Rice Cereal
Physical developments: We haven't had Riley weighed or measured since his 4-month check-up, but I'd be willing to say that he's grown quite a bit since then. He is developing quite a little belly at this point (see feeding developments above). I also think he is getting taller, as he is pretty much too big for his infant carseat at this point. He has loved his carseat since the first time he sat in it, but he is starting to get quite uncomfortable in it. So we have bought his "big boy" carseat and will have it installed this week. It can hold him until he is 65 lbs, so I hope he likes it!!! His 3-6 month clothes are starting to get too small, so I am going to have to fold up another batch of my favorite truly "baby" clothes and start the process of putting 6-12 month clothes in his closet. I can tell you that the 6-12 month items seem so much bigger and more grown up (more patterns and bright colors and less baby blue), and I am probably going to be in tears again when I fold his sweet little boy clothes for the last time (I was borderline hysterical when I had to pack up his newborn clothes -- thank goodness Casey was on his guys' weekend when I did that).
Beyond just growing, he has all sorts of new capabilities. He is rolling really well now from his back to his front. He is sleeping on his side now instead of flat on his back. He can spend about 30 minutes in his exersaucer before tiring out. He has less use for his swing and more use for his jumping toy (the kid LOVES to jump). He is starting to understand cause and effect (i.e. if he jumps, the music starts playing or if he his one of the keys on the piano, it lights up). He is extremely interested in Winston and Wrigley and has started reaching out to pet them (although it is more like grabbing at their hair and pulling really hard -- they have been great sports, which was to be expected). He grabs at absolutely everything and then proceeds to stick it in his mouth (this includes his feet).
His language skills, if you can call them that, are also coming along. He is doing a lot of what I will call shrieking, for lack of a better word. Not the kind of shrieking that hurts your eardrums, but funny and cute (but loud) sounds. He is also concentrating a lot when trying to use his lips to form sounds. So cute to watch. He is particularly talkative when getting his diaper changed. Diaper changes still continue to be some of my favorite times of the day.
Riley continues to be an easygoing little guy. Lots of smiles. Not much crying (only when Mom and Dad are too dumb to realize he's starving). Still a great sleeper (oh, I forgot to mention that as of two days ago, he no longer requires his 10:00 p.m. feeding -- we still put him down to bed after his 7:30 feeding and he will sleep non-stop until about 6:30 a.m., at which point he will wake up and "talk" to Wally until about 7:00 when he lets us know he's ready to get up and have some breakfast -- as an aside, I'm not sure if 6:30 will become his normal "waking" time or if this is the result of the time change (fall back) that just happened to occur on the same night that we did away with the 10:00 feeding; prior to that, he'd sleep until 7:30 a.m.). He is also a tremendous traveler still. He can amuze himself in his carseat (usually by playing with his ladybug or by staring at himself in the mirror) for fairly long periods of time and then will usually drift off to sleep without much fuss. On our drive to and from Amelia Island this past weekend to visit Casey's parents, he probably cried 10 minutes or less during the 15 or so hours we spent in the car. I'd say that's pretty good.
Speaking of our trip to Florida, we had a ball over the weekend. It was Halloween so there were lots of activities going on at the Plantation. Winston and Wrigley took part in the pet costume parade (Winston was Darth Vader, Wrigley was Princess Leah -- incidentally, Riley was supposed to be an Ewok, but ended up sleeping through the entire thing and never even made it into his costume). We all got some good quality time with Casey's parents. Besides the costume parade, the two highlights of the weekend for me were that Riley took a few naps on my chest (the little guy was worn out), which he hasn't done for months and which he probably won't do much more in the future, and that he really took a liking to the pool. Over the summer when we'd put him in the pool at the Club, he didn't really know what to make of it. Now he splashes the water with his hands, kicks his feet and tries to drink the water.
Amazing what a difference a few months can make. It was sooooo much fun for Casey and I to watch him in the pool. Such a goof.
Since this is the "Otis Family Blog" and not the "Riley Blog", I should probably devote some time to the rest of the family. Wrigley continues to be Wrigley -- devoted to playing ball and little else (she does, however, believe that she's Riley's mother and is constantly licking him and on guard to protect him from evil until it's time for her to take a nap or play ball). Winston is still our sweet little boy. Unfortunately, as they warned us would likely happen, the ACL in his other knee is on the fritz. It appears that another surgery is imminent -- most likely in early 2010. Poor guy, I know he will be brave, but I also know how much he disliked the experience last time around. I know he was in a lot of pain, but I think it killed him more that he couldn't come along on the daily walks or sleep in the bed or play with Wrigley -- all things that he is passionate about. Hopefully this surgery will be as successful as the last and he'll be good as new in time for Spring. Casey and I are good, but busy trying to juggle the things we did in our "old lives" with being devoted parents. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Riley's Four Month Check-Up
Wow, have 4 months really gone by already?!?! Amazing. But we feel like we have had Riley in our lives forever at this point, and really can't remember what life was like without him anymore.
Riley weighed 14.1 lbs today at his check-up (33rd percentile - down slightly from the last visit - he was around the 50th percentile then - could be a result of him being sick for pretty much the last two weeks straight (poor guy)). He is 25 inches long (55th percentile - about the same as last time). He received high marks from the doctor and seems to be progressing at a normal rate in all areas of development. He can hold his head high now, and has great neck control, so that is good. He also rolled over from his back to his front for the first time EVER while we were in the examination room waiting for the doctor. There is a mirror that stretches the length of the examination table and he caught site of himself in it (he LOVES the "Baby in the Mirror" as we call him). Apparently he REALLY wanted to get to that baby, so he kept trying and trying and trying and finally made it over onto his stomach. Then he did a mini "push-up" so that he could get a better look. You could tell he was really proud of himself. So cute.
Besides that, not much else to report except that we all love Riley more and more each day. He continues to amaze us all with his sweet, easygoing personality. Always a smile for someone. If only they could guarantee that he'd keep that up his whole life...
I promise to post more pictures soon. I know I have been terrible about that.
Riley weighed 14.1 lbs today at his check-up (33rd percentile - down slightly from the last visit - he was around the 50th percentile then - could be a result of him being sick for pretty much the last two weeks straight (poor guy)). He is 25 inches long (55th percentile - about the same as last time). He received high marks from the doctor and seems to be progressing at a normal rate in all areas of development. He can hold his head high now, and has great neck control, so that is good. He also rolled over from his back to his front for the first time EVER while we were in the examination room waiting for the doctor. There is a mirror that stretches the length of the examination table and he caught site of himself in it (he LOVES the "Baby in the Mirror" as we call him). Apparently he REALLY wanted to get to that baby, so he kept trying and trying and trying and finally made it over onto his stomach. Then he did a mini "push-up" so that he could get a better look. You could tell he was really proud of himself. So cute.
Besides that, not much else to report except that we all love Riley more and more each day. He continues to amaze us all with his sweet, easygoing personality. Always a smile for someone. If only they could guarantee that he'd keep that up his whole life...
I promise to post more pictures soon. I know I have been terrible about that.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
And so it begins...
Riley has his first cold. His first illness of any sort, actually. And while I'm grateful that he made it almost 4 months without getting sick, I have a feeling this is the beginning of a difficult fall and winter, especially since he spends his days at daycare.
Although he is not excited about being sick, Riley has been a real trooper. I think he is the most irritated at night because he is used to sucking on his fingers and thumb to fall asleep. Since he can't really breathe out of his nose right now, he is having a hard time falling asleep. But during the day he is his normal cheerful, smiley self, just with a constantly runny nose, a slight temperature (100.3) and a bit of a cough. Nothing the slightest bit alarming, but you better believe we still called the pediatrician. I'm sure the nurse had to suppress giggles while we gave her the list of "very serious" symptoms. :) I bet new parents make their days sometimes.
Although he is not excited about being sick, Riley has been a real trooper. I think he is the most irritated at night because he is used to sucking on his fingers and thumb to fall asleep. Since he can't really breathe out of his nose right now, he is having a hard time falling asleep. But during the day he is his normal cheerful, smiley self, just with a constantly runny nose, a slight temperature (100.3) and a bit of a cough. Nothing the slightest bit alarming, but you better believe we still called the pediatrician. I'm sure the nurse had to suppress giggles while we gave her the list of "very serious" symptoms. :) I bet new parents make their days sometimes.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Laughter is the best medicine
It's been an awesome weekend, one of those that seems perfect while you are living it. To begin with, it marked the last days of the summer. We decided to let all "projects" sit idly by while we enjoyed ourselves - no errands, no laundry, no cleaning - it was wonderful.
To start the weekend, Casey and I went to an event at the Children's Museum on Friday night while Riley hung out at home with Tim and Bree who were kind enough to watch him for us. It was only our second "date" since Riley has been born. We managed to spend a few minutes not thinking about him, although the only auction item we bid on was a child's photography package (which we won!!!).
On Saturday morning, the whole family went on a long walk - the first morning where it was not scalding hot when we left our house. Then Riley, Casey and I went to a Wake Forest football game, and spent much of our day tailgating. Afterwards we went to the pool to enjoy pool time and the Michigan-Notre Dame game that was playing on the TV at the pool (incidentally, how nice is it to have a TV at the pool?!?!).
Sunday we spent most of the day at the Club again. Casey played a little golf while I hung out with some Riley and some friends at the pool. Perfect weather and an awesomely good day. But not one of the fun things we did over the weekend could compare with what happened at the pool before Casey left us to go play golf - Riley laughed out loud for the first time!!! And not only did this happen for the first time while we were both there to enjoy it, but the truly amazing part is that we also had our video camera with us and got it all on film. I can't tell you how many times we are going to watch that video. There is nothing cuter (and funnier) than watching Riley laugh. And all it took was for me to say "hi" to him in what I will say is a really annoying voice over and over and over again. Who knew I could be so funny!!!
What a great way to end the summer. I can't wait to see what the pool will hold for us next year. Something tells me that lounging on a chair in the sun and reading a book while Riley sleeps is NOT going to be in the cards for us next year. But I'm sure it'll be fun in a whole new way for all of us. It would've been the perfect weekend if only Winston and Wrigley were allowed to come to the pool.
To start the weekend, Casey and I went to an event at the Children's Museum on Friday night while Riley hung out at home with Tim and Bree who were kind enough to watch him for us. It was only our second "date" since Riley has been born. We managed to spend a few minutes not thinking about him, although the only auction item we bid on was a child's photography package (which we won!!!).
On Saturday morning, the whole family went on a long walk - the first morning where it was not scalding hot when we left our house. Then Riley, Casey and I went to a Wake Forest football game, and spent much of our day tailgating. Afterwards we went to the pool to enjoy pool time and the Michigan-Notre Dame game that was playing on the TV at the pool (incidentally, how nice is it to have a TV at the pool?!?!).
Sunday we spent most of the day at the Club again. Casey played a little golf while I hung out with some Riley and some friends at the pool. Perfect weather and an awesomely good day. But not one of the fun things we did over the weekend could compare with what happened at the pool before Casey left us to go play golf - Riley laughed out loud for the first time!!! And not only did this happen for the first time while we were both there to enjoy it, but the truly amazing part is that we also had our video camera with us and got it all on film. I can't tell you how many times we are going to watch that video. There is nothing cuter (and funnier) than watching Riley laugh. And all it took was for me to say "hi" to him in what I will say is a really annoying voice over and over and over again. Who knew I could be so funny!!!
What a great way to end the summer. I can't wait to see what the pool will hold for us next year. Something tells me that lounging on a chair in the sun and reading a book while Riley sleeps is NOT going to be in the cards for us next year. But I'm sure it'll be fun in a whole new way for all of us. It would've been the perfect weekend if only Winston and Wrigley were allowed to come to the pool.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Two Weeks Later...
Riley has been at daycare for two weeks now, and although I still hate leaving him, it has definitely gotten easier. For the first week, Casey and I went to visit him during lunch every single day. And we probably would've continued that for his whole life if we hadn't realized that it was actually making his day harder. We'd interrupt his naps, we'd get there and want to feed him right after he'd already had his bottle. We felt like we were cramping his style. So we have stopped. We both miss him terribly all day long, but we are more anxious than ever to leave work at the end of the day. We rotate days on who gets to pick him up, but it seems that no matter which one of us it is that gets the honor of being the first to see him, he always greets us with a great big smile. It's as if he's trying to tell us that it's OK that we've left him all day. Like he may even appreciate the break from his embarrassing, doting parents.
I'll tell you who does love the idea of Riley being at daycare and me being back at work -- Winston and Wrigley. They have more energy and more pep in their step now than we've seen in months. I am convinced that it's because they are no longer going on 2 or 3 walks a day in the brutal Carolina summer heat. (Each day, Winston, Wrigley, Riley and I would set out on extremely long walks -- partly because Riley loves to be outside, partly because it puts him to sleep like nothing else can, partly because the dogs love their walks, and partly because I need to shed these last ten pounds that have been clinging to me since I lost the other 27 pounds two weeks after Riley was born. We walked to Starbucks and the three of them hung out while I wrote thank you notes. We walked to Roche, another coffee house in our neighborhood. We walked to the park. And sometimes we just walked without a destination or a care in the world. Wow do I miss those walks!!!!). Whatever the reason, the dogs are happy to have Casey and me to themselves again during lunchtime. I think it reminds them of the good ol' days.
Riley seems to be thriving at daycare. His neck has gotten a lot stronger. He is really starting to sit up well (although still not on his own). He has learned how to roll over onto his side. He watches the "big kids" (9 months old) in his class intently. And he's always smiling. His teachers have told us that the only times he cries during the day are when he has a dirty diaper (he doesn't seem to care about wet diapers) and when they take his bottle out of his mouth before he's done eating (this makes me laugh because we've seem him do it at home too, and it is hilarious how angry he gets). They say he has a great disposition. This makes my heart swell with pride.
This past Wednesday I had scheduled a girls' night out with three friends. As it turned out, Casey had a tennis match that night, so instead of leaving Riley at home with him as I'd planned, I schlepped him to dinner at the Village Tavern with me. Even without his usual afternoon nap, he was a saint. He didn't make a single noise the entire time. Instead, he just sat on my lap (head held high with very little bobblehead-like movements) and smiled at the girls. He is just such a laid back little guy. I love him more and more each day as more of his personality is starting to show.
This weekend is Labor Day weekend, and also the start of the college football season. Tomorrow Riley will attend his first Wake Forest football game. We are so excited about it (and the tailgating) that it's all we've been able to talk about all week. And if we are talking (and thinking) about something else besides the guilt of leaving Riley at daycare, I'd say life is good indeed.
Go Deacs!
I'll tell you who does love the idea of Riley being at daycare and me being back at work -- Winston and Wrigley. They have more energy and more pep in their step now than we've seen in months. I am convinced that it's because they are no longer going on 2 or 3 walks a day in the brutal Carolina summer heat. (Each day, Winston, Wrigley, Riley and I would set out on extremely long walks -- partly because Riley loves to be outside, partly because it puts him to sleep like nothing else can, partly because the dogs love their walks, and partly because I need to shed these last ten pounds that have been clinging to me since I lost the other 27 pounds two weeks after Riley was born. We walked to Starbucks and the three of them hung out while I wrote thank you notes. We walked to Roche, another coffee house in our neighborhood. We walked to the park. And sometimes we just walked without a destination or a care in the world. Wow do I miss those walks!!!!). Whatever the reason, the dogs are happy to have Casey and me to themselves again during lunchtime. I think it reminds them of the good ol' days.
Riley seems to be thriving at daycare. His neck has gotten a lot stronger. He is really starting to sit up well (although still not on his own). He has learned how to roll over onto his side. He watches the "big kids" (9 months old) in his class intently. And he's always smiling. His teachers have told us that the only times he cries during the day are when he has a dirty diaper (he doesn't seem to care about wet diapers) and when they take his bottle out of his mouth before he's done eating (this makes me laugh because we've seem him do it at home too, and it is hilarious how angry he gets). They say he has a great disposition. This makes my heart swell with pride.
This past Wednesday I had scheduled a girls' night out with three friends. As it turned out, Casey had a tennis match that night, so instead of leaving Riley at home with him as I'd planned, I schlepped him to dinner at the Village Tavern with me. Even without his usual afternoon nap, he was a saint. He didn't make a single noise the entire time. Instead, he just sat on my lap (head held high with very little bobblehead-like movements) and smiled at the girls. He is just such a laid back little guy. I love him more and more each day as more of his personality is starting to show.
This weekend is Labor Day weekend, and also the start of the college football season. Tomorrow Riley will attend his first Wake Forest football game. We are so excited about it (and the tailgating) that it's all we've been able to talk about all week. And if we are talking (and thinking) about something else besides the guilt of leaving Riley at daycare, I'd say life is good indeed.
Go Deacs!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Long Overdue
Dear Riley,
Today you start your first day of "school". I am heartbroken for a number of reasons, but mostly because (a) it means that you are growing up way too fast and (b) it means that I no longer get to spend every day hanging out with you, Winston & Wrigley. I am so grateful for the three months we all got to spend with each other this summer and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I will miss you as you spend your days at school and I spend mine at work, but all this means is that we will all treasure the weekends even more.
In these past twelve weeks, I have watched you grow from a teeny, tiny little guy who liked to do nothing but sleep (mostly in someone's arms -- fortunately they were usually mine) and eat into a smiling, cooing baby boy who can brighten anyone's day with his smile. Yesterday, when we were at the grocery store, a woman came up to us and asked permission to talk to you. You flashed her your big grin and she told me you'd made her day. You made mine too. I am so proud to be your mommy.
I have been so bad about documenting your first twelve weeks in words (fortunately, I have been good about documenting them in photos), and so on this, your first full day off on your own in this great big world of ours, I want to try to remember all of the special things (be them great or small) from your first three months in our lives.
I'll start with the day you, your daddy and I left the hospital. You will be happy to know that the first movie you ever saw (while we were waiting an insane amount of time to be released) was "Fever Pitch", which is the story of a middle-aged man who is absolutely obsessed with the Red Sox. It was just coincidence that this movie was showing, but Daddy couldn't be happier that it was your first movie (you may or may not know this, but Daddy brought dirt from the outfield at Fenway Park to the hospital with us when you were born and the dirt was the first thing your foot ever touched). After we were finally released, Daddy went to the car while you and I were wheeled downstairs by some kind nurse who, no joke, had to wait with us for almost 30 minutes while Daddy continuously drove in loops past the entrance where he was supposed to pick us up (he just could NOT seem to figure out how to get to us). All the while we were watching (and laughing) as he kept driving by. After he finally made it to us, it took awhile for us to load you into the car. Your carseat was not terribly scary without you in it, but wow, it took on a whole new level of scariness when we had to strap you in. We were afraid we'd hurt you. Not to mention that you were crying as we tried to load you in. (Incidentally, now, three months later, we practically throw your carseat into its base all in one motion.) You were so kind as to fall asleep in the 3 minutes that it takes to drive from the hospital to our house (although, I must admit, it probably took more like 10 minutes to get home because Daddy drove SO slowly). You lulled us into a false sense of security, so when we arrived home, Daddy immediately decided to mow the lawn while I tried to get things situated just so in the house. We were determined that our lives would not be the slightest bit altered by your arrival. (I should note here that I was more worried about how I'd feel about seeing Winston and Wrigley than I was about pretty much anything else, and sobbed uncontrollably when I saw them because I instantly realized that I still loved them just as much and didn't feel any differently about them -- I had feared that your arrival would make me think of them as second class citizens, which I am proud to say, they still are not.) Winston and Wrigley were a nice welcoming committe and sniffed you like crazy. Wrigley licked your face and you were startled, but didn't seem to mind. We all even took a walk around the block that day -- probably not a great idea since I had just undergone pretty major surgery two days earlier -- I was sore for a few days.
The rest of your first few weeks of life were fairly uneventful. You spent a lot of time sleeping and eating, and we all spent a lot of time getting to know each other. Daddy returned to work the Monday after you were born, so you, Winston, Wrigley and I were on our own all day. We spent most of our time outside. You LOVED to go on walks (and Winston and Wrigley did too), I needed the fresh air to keep me awake, and all four of us liked to hang out on the front porch (out of the sun, of course, because I was deathly afraid of exposing you to any rays that might burn your delicate skin). I spent many hours rocking you on the chair on that front porch, with you tucked into a tiny ball on my chest, while Winston sat next to us getting his head scratched and Wrigley chased her ball.
At night, Daddy would come home from work and take you, Winston and Wrigley for walks while I had an hour or so to myself. I will never be able to put in words how wonderful this was for all of us, and how grateful I am that I married a man like Daddy who recognized that I needed that time and was even the one to suggest it. It gave Daddy a chance to get to know you all on his own, and it gave me some time to recharge. Daddy downloaded a children's radio station on his Blackberry, so you'd listen to music and he'd watch the play-by-play of the Red Sox game on his phone, all while you took those walks. I think Winston and Wrigley really came to like you during this period because it meant more walks for them. The neighbors all got a kick out of the four of you on your little adventures.
There were times at the beginning where I thought I was slowly going insane. Finding a moment to take a shower or catch a short nap was almost non-existent for me those first few weeks, and I felt like I couldn't leave you for a second. You cried a lot because Daddy and I didn't know how to listen to what you were telling us. I'm sure we did the wrong thing much of the time, but you seem to have either forgiven us or to have forgotten about it already. I remember times during the middle of the night when you wouldn't stop crying where, although I wouldn't have given you up for the world, I found myself wishing for our old lives back. I'd cry when you were crying. I'd cry because I was exhausted and didn't know when the exhaustion would end. I longed for the days when I could curl up on the couch with Winston or sit on the front steps to throw the ball for Wrigley with Winston sitting in my lap. I missed eating dinner with Daddy and going out to grab a beer if we felt inclined to do so. I felt horribly guilty about those feelings, but have come to learn that they are normal for all new mommies. Now I can't imagine a time without you, and even if I could, I wouldn't want to go back.
Nursing you has had its ups and downs. You "had a good latch" the day you were born, and you've always had a good appetite. Some mommies say that nursing is such a bonding experience. For the first 10 weeks or so, you'd quietly eat with your eyes closed, and I never felt any particular sense of bonding. In the last two weeks though, you have started to look me in the eyes while you're eating, and it just makes my heart melt. You look so interested in the silly stories I'm telling and the horrible rendition of songs I sing (I swear, by the way, that they have changed the words to many of the children's songs since I was a kid -- your daddy and I find ourselves knowing one or two lines of the songs and then being completely baffled by how they end). Speaking of songs, Daddy loves to sing to you. If "Thunder Road" or "Please Come to Boston" are favorites of yours when you grow up, I will not be surprised.
But back to the ups and downs of nursing. There were a number of occasions where I would swear that you were trying to torture me. You would turn your head 180 degrees, all while still "latched on". I even got a few bruises (who knew that was even possible?!?!). I almost feel like I should start mammograms now because they would dull in comparison. In spite of the pain that I had to endure, I wouldn't make a contrary decision if I had to do it all over again. During the first month especially, you were so cute when you nursed. You'd make these crazy squeaking noises while you were eating. Sometimes you'd squeak so loudly that Daddy would ask if there was something wrong. It was hilarious. And I loved having an excuse to hold you in my arms when no one else could make a claim to you. That said, however, there were certain nights when I would be exhausted when you'd wake up at 2:00 a.m. and want to be fed and I'd look over at your daddy who was peacefully sleeping next to me with Wrigley at his feet and Winston draped over his head on the pillows and I'd almost hate him for looking so content when I had to drag myself out of bed, feed you, and then try to get you to go back to sleep, all without waking Daddy up because he had to work the next day and I knew he was exhausted. In his defense, he spent many nights (after I had turned one of the nighttime feedings over to him -- we started that when you were 3 weeks old) taking you for walks so that I could sleep. I'd hear him snapping you into your carseat, and then he'd call for the dogs, and the four of you would go trudging down the streets of Ardmore at 3:00 a.m. Daddy says it's amazing how many of our neighbors seem to be awake at that ungodly hour.
Speaking of your carseat, you have always loved it. When you were first learning how to go to sleep for long periods of time at night, we could not get you to settle down in your crib (for the record, you never did sleep in the bed with us, but you did sleep in a bassinet in our room for about 3 or 4 weeks). You would, however, fall asleep in your carseat. So we taught you to be comfortable in your crib by putting your carseat in your crib and letting you sleep that way. We're probably not going to win any "Parents of the Year" awards for that, but it worked for us. After about a week of that, you started sleeping in your crib without the carseat and you have never turned back.
Now you are a great sleeper. You almost always fall asleep in the car, even if it's a short ride. The same is true for walks. You take two or three naps every day. And even with all of that sleep, you STILL sleep about 12 hours a night (you have been doing that since you were 7-1/2 weeks old -- such a good boy -- THANK YOU!!!!). Your bedtime is 7:30 p.m., and you seem ready for it most nights. From when you first started sleeping through the night until about 10 weeks, we'd have to hold a pacifier in your mouth until you'd fall asleep. You could not settle yourself down, even though we all knew you were tired. It was pretty funny putting you to sleep this way -- you'd suck on your pacifier with gusto at first with your arms held up in anger at your chest, and then you'd start sucking a little less, and then your arms would s-l-o-w-l-y start to slip down so that your hands would hit the mattress at the sides of your head (almost as if you were giving the "fieldgoal" sign that football referees use). But when your hands would actually hit the mattress, you'd startle yourself, start crying and then the whole process of drifting off to sleep would start all over again. After about five or six cycles, you'd drift off to sleep for good. Then we'd wake you up at 10:00 p.m. for your last feeding of the night (we got smart and started giving you formula for this feeding because it takes longer for your little body to digest, and therefore gives Mommy and Daddy a longer period of uninterrupted sleep). You'd pretty much eat this meal in your sleep (LOTS of funny squeaking noises during this -- much like when you were nursing in your early days), and then we'd put you back in your crib and you'd fall right back to sleep. When you were about 10 weeks old, you got very good at sucking on your thumb and your fingers. Now that you know this trick, and that sucking on your hands in general makes you feel better, we just plop you down in your crib after you eat at 7:30 p.m. and you will contentedly fall asleep all on your own about 5 or 6 nights a week (the other night or two, you seem to just want to hang out with us for a little while longer, and will then go to sleep happily after we play for another 15-20 minutes). There have been many nights after we've shut your bedroom door and are out watching t.v. in the family room next to your nursery that we've thought you were asleep until we heard a very loud slurping sound. We can just picture you in there slurping on your hands, and always have a good laugh. I will never grow tired of that sound. Until you started "school", you'd sleep until 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. (we even found ourselves wishing a time or two on the weekends that you'd just wake up so that we could go for our morning walk to Starbucks and Miller Park). Now that "school" has started, you usually wake up between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.
You are at your funniest in the mornings. You don't wake up crying like some babies. Nope, not you. Instead, we wake up because we hear you talking. I don't know if you're talking to yourself or if you're talking to "Wally" (the Red Sox mascot who is on the mobile above your bed) or if you're talking to someone else that we can't see, but it is just so darn cute. I love waking up to that sound in the mornings. It is a surefire way to start the day in a good mood. When we come in to get you out of your crib, you are pretty much always tipped over on your side sucking your thumb. And when you see us for the first time in the morning, you always flash one of your great big gummy smiles. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. After you've had a great big breakfast (I let you nurse extra long in the mornings now that I've gone back to work so that I get a few extra minutes of special time with you), I take you to go get changed. Although you hated to get changed when you were first born (you'd cry the whole time -- maybe you were cold), you love it now. You smile and coo and kick your feet and wiggle all around. It is one of the highlights of my day.
One of my other favorite things about this early period in your life was picking you up. I still can picture in my mind (although you rarely do it now) how you looked when we'd pick you up after a nap (whether it be a nap in someone's arms, on Grandpa Jim's chest, in your swing, in your carseat -- anywhere). You would still be all tucked together with your little legs pressed up to your chest and you'd point your head up to the sky and stick your lips out almost like you were trying to touch them to your nose. I tried countless times to capture it on film, but never could. I hope I never forget what it looks like.
You are now three months old, and today is one of the most difficult of my adult life. Daddy and I both dropped you off at school together this morning. Neither of us wanted to leave you. I cried so hard. But not you. Nope, you were a big, brave boy and didn't even flinch. You were strong when I couldn't be, and I am forever grateful to you for that. I'm pretty sure that if you'd cried, we wouldn't have been able to leave you there. And we know that having you there is good for all of us. You will make friends, you will learn to be independent of us, you will learn things from your teachers and the other kids that we could never teach you. And Daddy and I will work hard all day, and have adult conversations, and think hard, and show you what it means to have to work for the things you want, and we'll all be the better for it. But we will miss you. We will miss you so much during those long days. But you know what, I bet we will all love every single second that we get to spend together at night and on the weekends, and that in itself is as special as these 12 weeks I've gotten to spend getting to know you and spend time with you have been.
I am so proud of you, and Daddy and I love you so much. Be good at school, be kind to your teachers, and be safe. See you in 9 hours, my little man.
Love,
Mommy
Today you start your first day of "school". I am heartbroken for a number of reasons, but mostly because (a) it means that you are growing up way too fast and (b) it means that I no longer get to spend every day hanging out with you, Winston & Wrigley. I am so grateful for the three months we all got to spend with each other this summer and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I will miss you as you spend your days at school and I spend mine at work, but all this means is that we will all treasure the weekends even more.
In these past twelve weeks, I have watched you grow from a teeny, tiny little guy who liked to do nothing but sleep (mostly in someone's arms -- fortunately they were usually mine) and eat into a smiling, cooing baby boy who can brighten anyone's day with his smile. Yesterday, when we were at the grocery store, a woman came up to us and asked permission to talk to you. You flashed her your big grin and she told me you'd made her day. You made mine too. I am so proud to be your mommy.
I have been so bad about documenting your first twelve weeks in words (fortunately, I have been good about documenting them in photos), and so on this, your first full day off on your own in this great big world of ours, I want to try to remember all of the special things (be them great or small) from your first three months in our lives.
I'll start with the day you, your daddy and I left the hospital. You will be happy to know that the first movie you ever saw (while we were waiting an insane amount of time to be released) was "Fever Pitch", which is the story of a middle-aged man who is absolutely obsessed with the Red Sox. It was just coincidence that this movie was showing, but Daddy couldn't be happier that it was your first movie (you may or may not know this, but Daddy brought dirt from the outfield at Fenway Park to the hospital with us when you were born and the dirt was the first thing your foot ever touched). After we were finally released, Daddy went to the car while you and I were wheeled downstairs by some kind nurse who, no joke, had to wait with us for almost 30 minutes while Daddy continuously drove in loops past the entrance where he was supposed to pick us up (he just could NOT seem to figure out how to get to us). All the while we were watching (and laughing) as he kept driving by. After he finally made it to us, it took awhile for us to load you into the car. Your carseat was not terribly scary without you in it, but wow, it took on a whole new level of scariness when we had to strap you in. We were afraid we'd hurt you. Not to mention that you were crying as we tried to load you in. (Incidentally, now, three months later, we practically throw your carseat into its base all in one motion.) You were so kind as to fall asleep in the 3 minutes that it takes to drive from the hospital to our house (although, I must admit, it probably took more like 10 minutes to get home because Daddy drove SO slowly). You lulled us into a false sense of security, so when we arrived home, Daddy immediately decided to mow the lawn while I tried to get things situated just so in the house. We were determined that our lives would not be the slightest bit altered by your arrival. (I should note here that I was more worried about how I'd feel about seeing Winston and Wrigley than I was about pretty much anything else, and sobbed uncontrollably when I saw them because I instantly realized that I still loved them just as much and didn't feel any differently about them -- I had feared that your arrival would make me think of them as second class citizens, which I am proud to say, they still are not.) Winston and Wrigley were a nice welcoming committe and sniffed you like crazy. Wrigley licked your face and you were startled, but didn't seem to mind. We all even took a walk around the block that day -- probably not a great idea since I had just undergone pretty major surgery two days earlier -- I was sore for a few days.
The rest of your first few weeks of life were fairly uneventful. You spent a lot of time sleeping and eating, and we all spent a lot of time getting to know each other. Daddy returned to work the Monday after you were born, so you, Winston, Wrigley and I were on our own all day. We spent most of our time outside. You LOVED to go on walks (and Winston and Wrigley did too), I needed the fresh air to keep me awake, and all four of us liked to hang out on the front porch (out of the sun, of course, because I was deathly afraid of exposing you to any rays that might burn your delicate skin). I spent many hours rocking you on the chair on that front porch, with you tucked into a tiny ball on my chest, while Winston sat next to us getting his head scratched and Wrigley chased her ball.
At night, Daddy would come home from work and take you, Winston and Wrigley for walks while I had an hour or so to myself. I will never be able to put in words how wonderful this was for all of us, and how grateful I am that I married a man like Daddy who recognized that I needed that time and was even the one to suggest it. It gave Daddy a chance to get to know you all on his own, and it gave me some time to recharge. Daddy downloaded a children's radio station on his Blackberry, so you'd listen to music and he'd watch the play-by-play of the Red Sox game on his phone, all while you took those walks. I think Winston and Wrigley really came to like you during this period because it meant more walks for them. The neighbors all got a kick out of the four of you on your little adventures.
There were times at the beginning where I thought I was slowly going insane. Finding a moment to take a shower or catch a short nap was almost non-existent for me those first few weeks, and I felt like I couldn't leave you for a second. You cried a lot because Daddy and I didn't know how to listen to what you were telling us. I'm sure we did the wrong thing much of the time, but you seem to have either forgiven us or to have forgotten about it already. I remember times during the middle of the night when you wouldn't stop crying where, although I wouldn't have given you up for the world, I found myself wishing for our old lives back. I'd cry when you were crying. I'd cry because I was exhausted and didn't know when the exhaustion would end. I longed for the days when I could curl up on the couch with Winston or sit on the front steps to throw the ball for Wrigley with Winston sitting in my lap. I missed eating dinner with Daddy and going out to grab a beer if we felt inclined to do so. I felt horribly guilty about those feelings, but have come to learn that they are normal for all new mommies. Now I can't imagine a time without you, and even if I could, I wouldn't want to go back.
Nursing you has had its ups and downs. You "had a good latch" the day you were born, and you've always had a good appetite. Some mommies say that nursing is such a bonding experience. For the first 10 weeks or so, you'd quietly eat with your eyes closed, and I never felt any particular sense of bonding. In the last two weeks though, you have started to look me in the eyes while you're eating, and it just makes my heart melt. You look so interested in the silly stories I'm telling and the horrible rendition of songs I sing (I swear, by the way, that they have changed the words to many of the children's songs since I was a kid -- your daddy and I find ourselves knowing one or two lines of the songs and then being completely baffled by how they end). Speaking of songs, Daddy loves to sing to you. If "Thunder Road" or "Please Come to Boston" are favorites of yours when you grow up, I will not be surprised.
But back to the ups and downs of nursing. There were a number of occasions where I would swear that you were trying to torture me. You would turn your head 180 degrees, all while still "latched on". I even got a few bruises (who knew that was even possible?!?!). I almost feel like I should start mammograms now because they would dull in comparison. In spite of the pain that I had to endure, I wouldn't make a contrary decision if I had to do it all over again. During the first month especially, you were so cute when you nursed. You'd make these crazy squeaking noises while you were eating. Sometimes you'd squeak so loudly that Daddy would ask if there was something wrong. It was hilarious. And I loved having an excuse to hold you in my arms when no one else could make a claim to you. That said, however, there were certain nights when I would be exhausted when you'd wake up at 2:00 a.m. and want to be fed and I'd look over at your daddy who was peacefully sleeping next to me with Wrigley at his feet and Winston draped over his head on the pillows and I'd almost hate him for looking so content when I had to drag myself out of bed, feed you, and then try to get you to go back to sleep, all without waking Daddy up because he had to work the next day and I knew he was exhausted. In his defense, he spent many nights (after I had turned one of the nighttime feedings over to him -- we started that when you were 3 weeks old) taking you for walks so that I could sleep. I'd hear him snapping you into your carseat, and then he'd call for the dogs, and the four of you would go trudging down the streets of Ardmore at 3:00 a.m. Daddy says it's amazing how many of our neighbors seem to be awake at that ungodly hour.
Speaking of your carseat, you have always loved it. When you were first learning how to go to sleep for long periods of time at night, we could not get you to settle down in your crib (for the record, you never did sleep in the bed with us, but you did sleep in a bassinet in our room for about 3 or 4 weeks). You would, however, fall asleep in your carseat. So we taught you to be comfortable in your crib by putting your carseat in your crib and letting you sleep that way. We're probably not going to win any "Parents of the Year" awards for that, but it worked for us. After about a week of that, you started sleeping in your crib without the carseat and you have never turned back.
Now you are a great sleeper. You almost always fall asleep in the car, even if it's a short ride. The same is true for walks. You take two or three naps every day. And even with all of that sleep, you STILL sleep about 12 hours a night (you have been doing that since you were 7-1/2 weeks old -- such a good boy -- THANK YOU!!!!). Your bedtime is 7:30 p.m., and you seem ready for it most nights. From when you first started sleeping through the night until about 10 weeks, we'd have to hold a pacifier in your mouth until you'd fall asleep. You could not settle yourself down, even though we all knew you were tired. It was pretty funny putting you to sleep this way -- you'd suck on your pacifier with gusto at first with your arms held up in anger at your chest, and then you'd start sucking a little less, and then your arms would s-l-o-w-l-y start to slip down so that your hands would hit the mattress at the sides of your head (almost as if you were giving the "fieldgoal" sign that football referees use). But when your hands would actually hit the mattress, you'd startle yourself, start crying and then the whole process of drifting off to sleep would start all over again. After about five or six cycles, you'd drift off to sleep for good. Then we'd wake you up at 10:00 p.m. for your last feeding of the night (we got smart and started giving you formula for this feeding because it takes longer for your little body to digest, and therefore gives Mommy and Daddy a longer period of uninterrupted sleep). You'd pretty much eat this meal in your sleep (LOTS of funny squeaking noises during this -- much like when you were nursing in your early days), and then we'd put you back in your crib and you'd fall right back to sleep. When you were about 10 weeks old, you got very good at sucking on your thumb and your fingers. Now that you know this trick, and that sucking on your hands in general makes you feel better, we just plop you down in your crib after you eat at 7:30 p.m. and you will contentedly fall asleep all on your own about 5 or 6 nights a week (the other night or two, you seem to just want to hang out with us for a little while longer, and will then go to sleep happily after we play for another 15-20 minutes). There have been many nights after we've shut your bedroom door and are out watching t.v. in the family room next to your nursery that we've thought you were asleep until we heard a very loud slurping sound. We can just picture you in there slurping on your hands, and always have a good laugh. I will never grow tired of that sound. Until you started "school", you'd sleep until 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. (we even found ourselves wishing a time or two on the weekends that you'd just wake up so that we could go for our morning walk to Starbucks and Miller Park). Now that "school" has started, you usually wake up between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.
You are at your funniest in the mornings. You don't wake up crying like some babies. Nope, not you. Instead, we wake up because we hear you talking. I don't know if you're talking to yourself or if you're talking to "Wally" (the Red Sox mascot who is on the mobile above your bed) or if you're talking to someone else that we can't see, but it is just so darn cute. I love waking up to that sound in the mornings. It is a surefire way to start the day in a good mood. When we come in to get you out of your crib, you are pretty much always tipped over on your side sucking your thumb. And when you see us for the first time in the morning, you always flash one of your great big gummy smiles. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. After you've had a great big breakfast (I let you nurse extra long in the mornings now that I've gone back to work so that I get a few extra minutes of special time with you), I take you to go get changed. Although you hated to get changed when you were first born (you'd cry the whole time -- maybe you were cold), you love it now. You smile and coo and kick your feet and wiggle all around. It is one of the highlights of my day.
One of my other favorite things about this early period in your life was picking you up. I still can picture in my mind (although you rarely do it now) how you looked when we'd pick you up after a nap (whether it be a nap in someone's arms, on Grandpa Jim's chest, in your swing, in your carseat -- anywhere). You would still be all tucked together with your little legs pressed up to your chest and you'd point your head up to the sky and stick your lips out almost like you were trying to touch them to your nose. I tried countless times to capture it on film, but never could. I hope I never forget what it looks like.
You are now three months old, and today is one of the most difficult of my adult life. Daddy and I both dropped you off at school together this morning. Neither of us wanted to leave you. I cried so hard. But not you. Nope, you were a big, brave boy and didn't even flinch. You were strong when I couldn't be, and I am forever grateful to you for that. I'm pretty sure that if you'd cried, we wouldn't have been able to leave you there. And we know that having you there is good for all of us. You will make friends, you will learn to be independent of us, you will learn things from your teachers and the other kids that we could never teach you. And Daddy and I will work hard all day, and have adult conversations, and think hard, and show you what it means to have to work for the things you want, and we'll all be the better for it. But we will miss you. We will miss you so much during those long days. But you know what, I bet we will all love every single second that we get to spend together at night and on the weekends, and that in itself is as special as these 12 weeks I've gotten to spend getting to know you and spend time with you have been.
I am so proud of you, and Daddy and I love you so much. Be good at school, be kind to your teachers, and be safe. See you in 9 hours, my little man.
Love,
Mommy
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