The Little Things

Dear Baby,
We are just shy of 2 months since you entered this world, and already you are by far the most amazing gift I have ever received. There are still times when I cry tears of joy just watching you sleep. It's hard to comprehend that we made you... I give all of the credit to God and thank Him daily for doing such an amazing job.
One thing I did want to do before too much time passed was to write down some of the cute, special, and idiosyncratic moments we've shared so far in our journey together. They are memories I think all of us will appreciate having when you get older.

- You fart (and poop) when you eat
- You love country music; Adele is a close second
- There is a small tuft of hair in the back of your head (some might call it a mullet). Your dad wants to cut it off... he thinks it looks like something someone would have for religious purposes
- You love being in the bath but you HATE getting out
- You suck on your bottom lip when you sleep
- Your dad really wants you to grow a chin
- I don't know a lot of kid songs so I often resort to the Star Spangled Banner when trying to soothe you to sleep (shockingly, you seem to like it)
- You get more lint between your fingers than any human being I know
- We cannot get you to take a paci but you like sucking on your fists and my shoulder
- Your favorite book is "All I See Is Part Of Me"
- I worry about you constantly. You're only 8 weeks old and you've been to the doctor at least 6 times - thankfully, there has never been anything wrong
- I think you might stand before you sit... you love using your leg muscles
- Your dad still likes when you suck on his nose
- When you cry it sounds like you are saying "Ma Ma"
- I sing "Jesus Loves Me" to you every night before you go to bed (something I learned from Katie Menees)
- Right now your best "trick" is lying on the play mat and reaching for the orange giraffe
- You smile quite often and EVERYONE who sees absolutely eats it up
- You like being outdoors
- Your Umi thinks you are always cold (you are also her favorite person on earth)
- Seeing you with your grandparents is one of the most special and surreal feelings your dad and I have ever experienced - it's so cool to see how much they love you
- We dance to a country station on Pandora daily
- Everyone tells me that you are big and have great head control

I love you little man. Thank you for bringing us so much joy and perspective over the past 8 weeks. We can't wait to see what the next 2 months will bring.

I pray you are happy, healthy, safe, smart, and at ease.

-Mom

Dear Baby - Renaissance Weekend (New Years 2012)

Dear Baby,

Your dad and I just got home from Renaissance Weekend, a four-day conference (of sorts) where people from around the world come together to share ideas and discuss things like politics, humanity, the arts, history, business and innovation.

This year's Renaissance Weekend was different for me because I had you top of mind. Below is a collection of my reflections from the conference...

I sat on one panel that focused on altruism and whether it is something that can be taught. As my fellow panelists shared their perspectives, I thought a lot about about how we can raise you in an environment that best-encourages service to others. Do we position you to give financially (like starting a donor advised fund that you get to manage from an early age), do we focus more on exposing you to physical (vs. monetary) acts of service, or both?

I sat in on a lecture about Gandhi and regretted having not paid more attention to my history classes in high school and college. I hope we can raise you to appreciate the value of education... and inspire you to leverage all that it has to offer.

I participated in several workshops on leadership and communication - taking away tips and tricks that I will try to hone before your arrival.

I watched with awe, envy and amazement as other Renaissance parents interacted with their kids... dreaming about the day when you will be old enough to really participate and grasp the magnitude of the weekend.

You have so much potential little one. And, I am starting to recognize the responsibility your dad and I have in nurturing that potential. We cannot wait to see the person you grow-up to become. I am already so proud of you and could not love you more.

Praying you are happy, healthy, safe, smart and at ease.

Love Always,
Mom

Dear Baby - Reflections from Central Park

Dear Baby,

Your dad and I took a walk though Central Park in New York City today and spent almost the entire time talking about you and how we can be the best parents possible. Here are a couple of the goals/take-aways from our conversation.  

• Live below our means so you can learn fiscal responsibility and gain an appreciation for all that is given to you in life.
• No "baby talk" so you feel respected and can learn proper pronunciation from an early age. (This will be particularly hard for me because I talk to Addie in a high-pitched baby voice all the time.)
• Travel as much as possible because the world is your canvas... our goal is to position you to go out and make a difference. 
• Introduce you to adult environments from the get-go - we want you to feel comfortable engaging with all kinds of people.
• Similarly, we want to surround you with other kids so that you learn to share, accept differences and feel comfortable in social environments.
• Introduce you to sports as early as possible - your dad is already looking for games he can take you to within days of your arrival. (I think he said he went to his first soccer game at two weeks. So get ready, you're in for some organized recreation!)
• And your dad insists that you play basketball at the Y. I had to laugh at this one, but he thinks, regardless of what sports or activities you choose to pursue, this will improve your speed and agility.

We may look back on this list and laugh one day. Everyone tells me that you are going to come out with your own mind and your own personality. Just know, we will love you no matter what. We pray you are happy, healthy, safe, smart and at ease. 

Love Always, 

Mom

Dear Baby - Week 12

Dear Baby,

We are almost on week 12... hard to believe I've known you for three months - and loved you for so much longer.

Joan Wellman brought her granddaughter, Emma, over tonight for our Dustin's Village meeting. It was the first time I've been around a baby since you came into the picture, and I'm embarrassed to say, it made me a little nervous. She's only six weeks old and she requires A LOT of attention. Even though I am so, incredibly grateful to be your mom, it's weird thinking about being "the" person who is responsible for providing constant care for another human being. That being said, I did take my turn holding Emma. She was fussy and tired by the time she got to me but I was able to get her to fall asleep... and it felt good to have her in my arms.

All of the Village girls know about you now. They are so excited and are already calling dibs on babysitting. You are one lucky child. I hope you can feel all of us loving you from afar.

Good night little one. I pray you are happy, healthy, safe, smart and at ease.

Love Always,
Mom