Dear Ezra - 5 months

Dear Ezra,


I can't believe you are almost a half a year old.  These past few weeks have brought on lots of exciting new things.  You can almost sit independently.  You use your voice a lot more than you used to.  You are getting really good at reaching out and grabbing for something if it's presented to you.  And that first tooth is about to pop through!

The one thing you still can't do though, is turn back over to your back once you've gotten yourself onto your tummy.  And you only roll onto your tummy in one direction.  Every time.  It makes me laugh, because if I don't strap you into your bouncy seat, you are strong enough to turn yourself over IN THE CHAIR.  And I lay you down to sleep between those blocks that are supposed to keep you from rolling over, but you still manage to do it somehow.  Yet, even with how strong you are to do these things...you still can't figure out how to turn back over!!

You are sure cute, though.  When Grammy Rachel was here last week we took you out shopping with us and so many people stopped us to tell me how beautiful you are.  So many people commented on what a cute baby I have.  And you're so fat.  They often also comment on how big you are!  You are now 5 and a half months old and we just pulled out the 6-9 month clothes, some of which are already too small!!

Sometimes when I hold you and nurse you I lose my breath for a moment because I am so in love with you.  It overwhelms me how much you need me and love me.  I am amazed that you are so smart and are learning to do so many things that we never got to experience with your sister.

You are so curious.  Last night I gave you a piece of paper and you played with it for a half hour.  We gave you a baby spoon the other night while you sat in your high chair and we ate dinner.  We watched you explore it and put it in your mouth, even gag yourself a little.  You want to touch my phone whenever I'm holding you.  You try to put everything in  your mouth.  It is so fun to watch you explore and grow and learn.

When we took you to the baseball game last week, there was a family sitting in front of us; a mom and a dad and their freckled, red headed 20-something-year-old son.  And I got a glimpse of the future.  Someday you're going to be 20 something years old.  You're going to be a man.  And I hope you still need me and still love me.  I hope that when I see you and give you a hug I still lose my breath for a moment at how much I love you.

I love you little Ezzy ding dong.

Love,
Mommy

PS. This is what you look like at 5 months

Headed to your first baseball game with Daddy!

Dear Ezra - February 2013

Dear Ezra,

It's hard to believe that just over 4 months ago I was still pregnant with you in my belly.  You haven't even been outside my belly as long as you were inside yet!  It's crazy that sometimes it feels like time is going so fast...and sometimes it feels like it's going so slowly!

When we went to your well-check appointment last week, the doctor said she thought she felt a tooth starting to come in!!  This might explain why you're drooling so much and always have your hands in your mouth.  It's crazy to think that you might have teeth soon when your sister didn't get her first tooth until her first birthday.  It's also terrifying because of how hard it was for Sadie to get teeth.  I hope you don't have as hard of a time as she did.  The doctor said she expects to see teeth in your mouth at your 6 month appointment!

I think you're going to be good with words when you grow up.  You love books and you love to "talk."  You seem to be very good at communicating...or maybe, because of your sister and her limitations, I'm just really good at understanding baby talk!  I can tell you love Sadie too.  Today you guys watched Care Bears together and both of you just talked and talked through the movie.  It's okay to like Care Bears, even though Daddy says you should be watching GI Joes.

You're starting to discover toys and how to play with them.  It's so funny to watch you lay under your toy bar and shake shake shake the rattles that are hanging down over you.  You get so excited when you're down there that you wiggle all around.  Sometimes you scoot yourself off the mat and onto the carpet.  Sometimes you spin yourself all the way around so you're facing the other direction.  A few days ago you learned how to roll yourself onto your tummy.  However, you quickly figured out that that wasn't as much fun as being on your back!

I can't believe how cute you are.  I love your little dimples when you smile.  And I love your chubby fat legs.  You look at me when I say your name and it's amazing to see the love for me in your eyes. You are going to be such a loving and cuddly boy, I can tell.  And you are going to be curious, and maybe even a little destructive.  I am sure you're going to be a good talker, and once you start, I doubt you'll ever stop.  You already love the sound of your own voice so much.

I love you so much and I am terrified, and so excited to see who you become as you grow up.  This is what you look like right now...

I know, the chair is pink, but we were at an appointment for Sadie and that's the only one they had.  This picture proves, you're gonna be a lady killer.

Love, Mama

Dear Ezra - January 2013

Dear Ezra,

You are now 3 months old, yet, I can't remember a time when you weren't a part of our family.  You are amazing.  Daddy and I marvel daily at the progress of your development.  We watch you do things we've never realized babies can do, and we rejoice with you when you learn something new.

Recently you've decided that you don't need to be swaddled at night, but that you can fall asleep on your own.  You're such a big boy. 

And you use your hands more and more now.  You hold on when you're being carried, and you grab the toys hanging down when you're laying on your toy mat.  And now you've started pulling on my clothes when you want to nurse.  You are so smart.

We love to hear your voice.  I can tell you're practicing to be a singer when you grow up.  You squeal and talk baby talk and blow raspberries all day long.  Someday I'll probably be annoyed that you won't be quiet, but not yet.

Sometimes we play this game where I bounce you and shake you on my lap and you giggle and laugh with a big open mouth like it's the greatest thing you've ever experienced.  Daddy tries to do it on his lap, but it's just not the same.  You don't giggle for him (I think he's a little jealous).  You are Mama's boy and don't you ever let anyone tell you that's a bad thing, or make fun of you for it.

You will forever be my boy.  I love you so much.

Love, Mama

Dear Ezra-2 months

Dear Ezra,

You are my second-born, but you have already given me so many firsts. I've never been peed on like that in my life! I am amazed at how well you sleep at night. And the way you watch me with your perfect vision and smile at me when I talk to you melts my heart. In so many ways you have made me a first-time mom all over again.

I wish I could pick just one thing about you that is my favorite, but, at 2 months old, there are already more things I love about you than I could count. I'll just list a few here... I love your dimples, I love your deep blue eyes, and I love your chubby thighs. I love the way you raise your eyebrows so expressively when you look at something new. I love the way to scrunch up your nose when you nurse. I love the little sighs you make in your sleep. I love the way you fart like a grown man. I love the way you light up when I sing you songs and the way you munch on your hands. I love the way you watch Daddy's phone when he plays games and watches videos.

Sometimes I wish I could keep you so little forever, but I also can't wait for you to grow up so you can play with your sister more. I can't wait to see what kind of person you're going to grow up to be. I hope you have your Daddy's calm disposition and his easy-going personality. I hope you love people and are social like your sister. I hope that growing up with Sadie makes you a kind and caring person who is compassionate for others who are different than yourself. I can't wait to do art projects with you, have you help me bake, and take you to the zoo. You are an amazing child and we will celebrate everything you learn how to do.

You are already growing so fast, I know it'll soon be hard to look back and believe you were this little. You are my boy and I love you so much.

Love, Mama

PS. This is what you look like today...