Dear Brantley,
You're two now. I can't believe it. It just seems like yesterday that I was laying in the hospital bed waiting for you to be born. I'll probably same that same thing every year. Truth is that you're growing up too fast. Sometimes I wish that I could stop time for just a little bit and keep you still a kid. The kid who still wants mommy to play with him, cuddle and watch Mickey, ride trains and all the other things you love to do. But I can't stop time. I was at Subway the other day and there was a dad and his teenage son and it struck me that one day, sooner then I'd probably like, that would be you and me. And while I'm so excited to see you grow up, I'm also sad that it goes so quickly.
You've changed a lot this year. To say you are a talker would be a vast understatement. You talk ALL THE TIME. And in full sentences. It's quite scary how good you are with language (I mean how many two year old say quinoa - and pronounce it correctly - I can't even do that half the time). I suppose you get that from me, because we all know your dad is NOT a talker. You're also very social. You love people, especially other kids and are constantly trying to engage anyone you can. I would not be surprised if one day you are the class clown. You're such a special, goofy kid.
We took you to the zoo last month and you had so much fun. You loved the seals and the otters. You also though the "bamboons" were super cool. You did really well too, the only time you got fussy was when you were tired. It was a great family trip and something I hope we get the chance to repeat. I think your dad had a lot of fun taking you. This was right up his ally.
You also got really sick last week. Not just a cold sickies but the croup. It scared me. You sounded like you couldn't breathe. We almost made a trip to the ER, but thankfully your doctor was there on Saturday and saw you. You're better now, but I think that was one of the scariest mommy moments (next to locking you in the house by yourself. Ask me about THAT one day).
It's fun to watch your personality growing. You are very independent and want to do things on your own now. You're also a very picky eater. You hate meat, but love carbs. Thankfully you will eat some vegetables. You love broccoli, sweet potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, and sometimes squash.
I love you kiddo, and I hope you'll always know that,
Momma
Loved
Dear Brantley,
This past week you had your first really sickies. You got a terrible cold, which turned into an ear infection. You were congested from head to toe and just felt awful. It was terrible. I have to tell you - I hate seeing you sick, or struggling. I hurt for you, and all I want is for you to feel better. It's an overwhelming need to comfort you and do all I can to help you feel better. And this was just with a cold! I can't imagine how hard your first heartbreak, failure, disappointment, and loss will be. I'll always worry about you, and I'll always want to do what I can to set your world straight again. I imagine it's the same if you're 2 or 20. So when you've 15 and having a hard time and I hover? Just know it's cause I love you, and I want you to be ok. Don't hate me for it, or if you do, I hope you one day realize why I did it.
You are one loved child. Not just by me and your dad but by so many other people. Please know your dad loves you so much. He may not say it often, because that's not him, but I can watch him with you and know. And I can see how he is with you and know. And when I tell him you miss him and ask about him, he smiles. Your dad is not the overly emotional or sensitive type, but I can tell you flat out he loves you something fierce. I hope that you can see that through his actions.
And your grandparents! All of them! They all play such an important roll. Your "Papa Rick" who teaches you about hard work, kung fu, eggs, pancakes, and farming, and who lets you get away with so much because that man LOVES you something fierce. "Bebe" or "Nanny" who worries about you all the time, who throws so much compassion and love into watching you it's amazing. She also loves to teach you songs. Her patience is that of a saint. Your "grandma" who spends so much of her time with you teaching you. I think she's the reason you know as much as you do about so much. And she's teaching you swimming. You have so much fun there on Wed and Thurs and I have to tell you that you make her week. She loves you so much and always looks forward to having you around. And "GP" who teaches you about bolts, nails, cooking "meat", and riding your "trike". You bring out a side in him I don't often see, and it's so nice to see the love. And "Papa Milton" who is a great example of a tenderhearted, playful, loving man and who shows you that whenever he sees you. He loves playing with you and being around you. And "Nana" who isn't afraid to be silly with you, and help you out whenever you need it. You are so lucky to have these examples in your life! They show you what love is and each one of them is so special. You are one lucky kid!
And me, I hope you know how much I adore you. I always will. Even when you hate me (and at some point in your life you will). You can be such a pill, and then do something silly (like sing "Marly Unshine" or "shake your booty") and all that whiny, crying behavior just disappears. You amaze me everyday and I am so PROUD to be your mom.
Always,
Momma
This past week you had your first really sickies. You got a terrible cold, which turned into an ear infection. You were congested from head to toe and just felt awful. It was terrible. I have to tell you - I hate seeing you sick, or struggling. I hurt for you, and all I want is for you to feel better. It's an overwhelming need to comfort you and do all I can to help you feel better. And this was just with a cold! I can't imagine how hard your first heartbreak, failure, disappointment, and loss will be. I'll always worry about you, and I'll always want to do what I can to set your world straight again. I imagine it's the same if you're 2 or 20. So when you've 15 and having a hard time and I hover? Just know it's cause I love you, and I want you to be ok. Don't hate me for it, or if you do, I hope you one day realize why I did it.
You are one loved child. Not just by me and your dad but by so many other people. Please know your dad loves you so much. He may not say it often, because that's not him, but I can watch him with you and know. And I can see how he is with you and know. And when I tell him you miss him and ask about him, he smiles. Your dad is not the overly emotional or sensitive type, but I can tell you flat out he loves you something fierce. I hope that you can see that through his actions.
And your grandparents! All of them! They all play such an important roll. Your "Papa Rick" who teaches you about hard work, kung fu, eggs, pancakes, and farming, and who lets you get away with so much because that man LOVES you something fierce. "Bebe" or "Nanny" who worries about you all the time, who throws so much compassion and love into watching you it's amazing. She also loves to teach you songs. Her patience is that of a saint. Your "grandma" who spends so much of her time with you teaching you. I think she's the reason you know as much as you do about so much. And she's teaching you swimming. You have so much fun there on Wed and Thurs and I have to tell you that you make her week. She loves you so much and always looks forward to having you around. And "GP" who teaches you about bolts, nails, cooking "meat", and riding your "trike". You bring out a side in him I don't often see, and it's so nice to see the love. And "Papa Milton" who is a great example of a tenderhearted, playful, loving man and who shows you that whenever he sees you. He loves playing with you and being around you. And "Nana" who isn't afraid to be silly with you, and help you out whenever you need it. You are so lucky to have these examples in your life! They show you what love is and each one of them is so special. You are one lucky kid!
And me, I hope you know how much I adore you. I always will. Even when you hate me (and at some point in your life you will). You can be such a pill, and then do something silly (like sing "Marly Unshine" or "shake your booty") and all that whiny, crying behavior just disappears. You amaze me everyday and I am so PROUD to be your mom.
Always,
Momma
Almost 2...
Dear Brantley,
I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've written you a letter. I had so intended to keep this up so that one day I could give them to you and you could know how much I loved you and all the wonderful things you did when you were little. I need to do better at this. But I have to tell you - You've been keeping me busy! I can't beleive how much of a little person you are now - with you own opinions, wants and likes and dislikes.
You are a very curious kid and always want to know how and why something works. You love tools. Drills, hammers, nails, sanders, anything that puts something together. You also love anything that is a mode of transportation - but your two favorite are easily the tractor and trains. You love the tractor and "helping" Papa Rick in the garden. You're talking in sentenances now "Put that back in there", "Brantley help momma", "Give momma back the pillow" are just examples from today. In general your vocabulary is AMAZING! You can say almost anything you want. It never ceases to astonish me. You're learning to count, although it usually goes "1,2,3,4,10,14,30" or something of that nature. You can almost always get to four. You love your grandparents - all of them - and I often here "Go see Papa" or "Go back to grandmas". I'm glad you have so many people that love you!
The beach was a hit this year. You got in as far as we would let you in the ocean, dug holes, chased crabs, caught and released sand fleas, and wanted to "catch minnows (memos)" after daddy showed you the ones he was fishing with. You and your daddy are so much alike when it comes to a lot of thing. I can already tell you'll want to fish because you are fascinated with fish and all things fishing. You will find daddies fishing rods and say "catch a fish" or "fishing rod". It's so cute. Daddy is teaching you names of all the fish already. You can already say - Marlin, puppy drum, stripper, flounder and others.
You dad took you to the pond fishing - and you fell in! He called you a "big dummy" and for the longest time you would say "big dummy" anytime anyone asked you about falling in the pond. The best though was when you said it and pointed at daddy.
You are one loved child. I look at you everyday and my heart swells. You laugh and I forget every wrong you've ever done. You're not perfect - you fuss, holler, cry, and can be difficult - but oh man can you make me laugh. You can fill my heart with so much joy with just a simple "snuggle momma". We still have our cuddle time in the morning watching mickey. The day that stops will be so hard for me because it will mean you're growing up and don't need me as much anymore. I just want you to know that you are by far the best thing that I've done. I love you more then you can imagine and will NEVER stop. You are the only one that know my heart from the inside.
I love you so much baby boy,
Momma
I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've written you a letter. I had so intended to keep this up so that one day I could give them to you and you could know how much I loved you and all the wonderful things you did when you were little. I need to do better at this. But I have to tell you - You've been keeping me busy! I can't beleive how much of a little person you are now - with you own opinions, wants and likes and dislikes.
You are a very curious kid and always want to know how and why something works. You love tools. Drills, hammers, nails, sanders, anything that puts something together. You also love anything that is a mode of transportation - but your two favorite are easily the tractor and trains. You love the tractor and "helping" Papa Rick in the garden. You're talking in sentenances now "Put that back in there", "Brantley help momma", "Give momma back the pillow" are just examples from today. In general your vocabulary is AMAZING! You can say almost anything you want. It never ceases to astonish me. You're learning to count, although it usually goes "1,2,3,4,10,14,30" or something of that nature. You can almost always get to four. You love your grandparents - all of them - and I often here "Go see Papa" or "Go back to grandmas". I'm glad you have so many people that love you!
The beach was a hit this year. You got in as far as we would let you in the ocean, dug holes, chased crabs, caught and released sand fleas, and wanted to "catch minnows (memos)" after daddy showed you the ones he was fishing with. You and your daddy are so much alike when it comes to a lot of thing. I can already tell you'll want to fish because you are fascinated with fish and all things fishing. You will find daddies fishing rods and say "catch a fish" or "fishing rod". It's so cute. Daddy is teaching you names of all the fish already. You can already say - Marlin, puppy drum, stripper, flounder and others.
You dad took you to the pond fishing - and you fell in! He called you a "big dummy" and for the longest time you would say "big dummy" anytime anyone asked you about falling in the pond. The best though was when you said it and pointed at daddy.
You are one loved child. I look at you everyday and my heart swells. You laugh and I forget every wrong you've ever done. You're not perfect - you fuss, holler, cry, and can be difficult - but oh man can you make me laugh. You can fill my heart with so much joy with just a simple "snuggle momma". We still have our cuddle time in the morning watching mickey. The day that stops will be so hard for me because it will mean you're growing up and don't need me as much anymore. I just want you to know that you are by far the best thing that I've done. I love you more then you can imagine and will NEVER stop. You are the only one that know my heart from the inside.
I love you so much baby boy,
Momma