My Valentine

Happy Valentines Day from the cutest cupid around! 

My friend Rachel wrote about her tradition of writing love letters to her kiddo, and she inspired me to write a few myself!

Dear Cutie Pie,

Happy Valentines Day sweetheart!

You are just the most remarkable little soul and the past months as your mama have been among the most special of my life.

I love how the past few nights you have been letting me rock you before you go to sleep.  You used to not like being rocked after you finished your bottle.  You just wanted to hunker down in your crib with your giraffe rattle in one hand, and your thumb in your mouth.  But lately, you have wanted me to hold you close while you rest your head on my chest and suck your thumb.  NOTHING melts my heart more than those quiet moments before bedtime.  Probably the moments most dear to my heart are those when you want to be near me.  I treasure every single second and hold you close until you demand to be put down. 

I love that you call “mama” when you are sad or when you need something.  It would be nice if you said “mama’ in a happy voice once in a while :), but I love love love being called “mama.”  My favorite title in the whole world, and it sounds the sweetest coming from your little mouth. 

I love when we are sitting on the floor playing and you put your hands on my knees and crawl right into my lap. 

I love watching your daddy whisk you away for diaper changes, storytime, bathtime, or playtime.  You peek over his shoulder as the two of you retreat down the hallway and it is the cutest funniest sight.  Sometimes, Daddy makes you peek around the doorway.  He holds you so just your little head is in sight and you just hover there smiling until I notice you.  It cracks me up every time to see you peeking into the room with a grin on your face. 

I love watching you zip around in your walker.  You RUN in that thing.  Not walk.  RUN.  You are FAST too.  It is the most hilarious thing to see you scuttle across the room on a mission to pull the DVD’s off the shelf or rip the dishrags off the oven handle. 

My favorite sound in the world is still your “yodeling.”  It will never ever get old.

I love when you giggle because you think something is funny.  It’s cute when you giggle because we are tickling you, but even cuter when you giggle because you are little person with a big sense of humor.  You think Lizzy is hilarious.  You think me brushing my teeth is hilarious.  You think Daddy making funny faces and noises is hilarious.  You thought that the time you bit mommy’s thumb during church, almost making her scream out loud, was downright riotous (the pain you can inflict with just two little teeth is astounding).   

I love that you love puppies.  You are obsessed with puppies and your little “uff uff” is the cutest barking sound I’ve ever heard. 

I love that you look to me for reassurance.  Like if someone new is talking to you, you look over at me as if to say, “Is this okay mom?”

I love checking on you after you have gone to sleep.  I usually put my hand on your chest just to feel the subtle rise and fall.  It’s amusing to see your little diaper bum in the air or chubby arms thrown above your head.  The contortions you seem to find comfortable amaze me.  Tonight you are wedged in the corner of the crib with a sock clutched tightly in your fist.  You are so especially darling when you are sleeping peacefully.  And don’t even get me started on your bed head!  I LOVE seeing your wonky hair every morning and after every nap. 

You have taught me so much little guy.  You have taught me a deeper love than I have ever known.  It is such an experience to live for someone so completely.  Of course, I live for your daddy as well, but Daddy does not need my attention in the same 24/7 every moment of every day kind of way.  It’s a wonderful thing to think about and care for and adore someone so much.         

You teach me patience.  It’s funny because I’ve always thought of myself as a patient person, but I am learning that there is always room to improve.  The demanding, difficult, stretched to the limits moments of motherhood are molding me into a better person.  And just when I think I’ve it all figured out, everything changes and I get to learn it all over again. 

You teach me to savor every second.  Life is such a gift.  I’m so glad I get to share it with you. 

love,

Mom