So Much Growth

Dear Jane, 

So much has happened since I last wrote to you. A lot of it doesn't matter. What does matter is how much you've grown! You crawl, you stand yourself up, you dance to music (on your bum), and you're always trying to talk to us. 

I had high hopes of writing down the dates for when you hit all your "firsts," but I now realize that it's almost impossible. Take your first words, for example: You say real words all the time. However, you probably don't mean to say them. We have no idea how we will distinguish your real first word or words from everything you've said before that! 

Oh well... I guess it doesn't really matter. The one thing I hope I never forget is how you always say the word "turtles." You even whisper it to your dad while he changes your diaper. It's adorable and hilarious. 

You're a doll. 

All my love,

Mom

Best Mom Ever

Dear Mom,

I originally meant to write a post to you on Mother's Day, but I'm sure you'll forgive me since I spent a large chunk of the day in the ER with Jane. I don't really have much in the way of reasons for the rest of the time I've missed, but I guess that's motherhood. 

I found Facebook to be quite entertaining on Sunday while everyone was posting about their moms. People kept saying things like "I'm sorry to everyone else out there, but MY mom is the absolute best." Sooooo many people said that. I just had to scoff and shake my head sadly at them while I screamed "YOU FOOLS!" inside my head. Why? Because my mom is obviously the very best. 

As part of your gift, I thought I would take a page out of Amanda's book and entertain you with memories of days gone by. You often cursed me to have offspring that would be just like me, and these are some of the instances when I may have been at my worst:

Barfing On Your Slippers

~ The worst part is that I did this multiple times. I did NOT learn my lesson. For some reason, I thought that it was really important to tell you that I was going to throw up right before I had to throw up. Certainly not my finest hour(s). 

Spider Deaths

~ I made you kill them. All the time. If you refused and told me to do it myself, I had a total meltdown. That one will likely come back to bite me. 

Sneaking Pets In The House

~ I'm namely talking about Petey, here... The little kitten I found one Halloween. You told me I couldn't feed him and he couldn't come in the house. I immediately did both of those things. You caught me with him in my room and made me take him outside. You were also quite vigilant in making sure I couldn't sneak him in again. You did cave in the morning and feed Petey. At that point, I thought I had you locked up. Then you made me find the owner, who ended up being super creepy. I still think we should have kept poor, little Petey. 

Crashing Into Stuff With Cars

~ I hit a dumpster and our mailbox with the Suburban. I left all kinds of dents in that thing. 

Kicking A Hole In The Door

~ I thought it would make more of a statement if I kicked it shut instead of slamming it shut. It did. 

I'm sure there are many, many more. I was a tough kid to handle. You were certainly a trooper! I'm glad we got through it though... I can't imagine having a better mom than you!

All my love,

Jill

Being a Mommy

Dear Jane,

Today doesn't really seem like a special kind of day, even though its Mother's Day. It is our first and, like other holidays, it will take years for our little family to perfect in our own way. In the meantime, it's just another day as a full-time mom. For now, that means a cranky baby who doesn't want to take her nap, learning a new calling at church AND teaching a lesson all with you in one arm since your dad is at work, and pushing through the day in a sleepless trance. I'll still do laundry, I'll still wash dishes and I'll still change my shirt and come back to you each and every time you throw up on me. 

That's what it is to be a good mom. You must be patient, loyal, steadfast and ready for anything. Our families love us, but they aren't always good at showing it or appreciating us the way we deserve. I was guilty of it and so will you. I fear the day you become a teenager and really start to take things out on me the way I did with my mom. 

Even so, I wouldn't give this job up for all the money on the world. You make every day special. You make every day Mother's Day. 

All my love,

Mom

Zoo Days

Dear Jane,
Today we took you to the zoo for the very first time. As it turns out, you're still a little young to enjoy that type of experience. You were more interested in the glass enclosures than the animals inside them. You certainly do enjoy the small things in life. Don't lose that.
All my love,
Mom

Cool Cat

Dear Jane,
You're the coolest!
All my love,
Mom

Big Girl

Dear Jane,
You slept in your own bed last night while your parents stayed in their own room (mostly).
The following pictures were taken this morning. They show one proud baby and one nervous, haggard mommy who is still getting used to this whole idea and obviously didn't sleep well.
All my love,
Mom

Tired Daddy

Dear Jane,

Your dad must have been super sleepy last night before he tucked you into bed.

How do I know? This morning I found a diaper in your laundry and a onesie in the diaper pail.

All my love,
Mom

P.S. We gave you your first solid food two days ago. You did amazing! Still no sign of sleeping in your own room, though...