zach n kali

Dear Little One, How many more days of unending giggles and tickles? How many more "Mommy come snuggles!"? How many more looks of gleeful delight when I tell you we're having popcorn for snack? How many more times will you sit on my lap and read with me for hours? How many more stories like "Captain Hook and the Burning Bush?" How long till answers of "Fine." when I ask you how your day was? How long till you stop asking me to play Peter Pan? How long till sports will take over your life? How long till a new girl steals your heart? Can't think about the passing time.  Can't think about the days ahead.  All I can do today is take the snuggles and giggles, the silly sound effects, and spontaneous "I love yous!" and hold them close to my heart, thankful that I get to be a part of your life today.  I know it's only Preschool, but it marks the start of a new chapter, a scary one, one that says you're not a baby by a ...

Dear Baby Boy, I know, I know, you're not a baby anymore, but you are my Baby Boy forever.  Deal with it.  But today my heartstrings were pulled in a new way.  Today I put up your first sport's pennant.  It shouldn't have been a big deal.  But it was.  It was the first thing that I didn't "design" for your room.  It was the first thing YOU wanted on your wall.  It was the first semblance of moving from a little boy's room to... well, a big boy's room.  I love your room - the colors, the vibrancy, your growth chart - it's all warm and inviting.  It's a cool little boy's room.  But the truth is that you won't want crayon art or trucks on your walls forever.  That car rug will be gone before I know it.  And one day we'll have to figure out how to paint over that chalkboard.  But it's never felt soon.  And today it did.  It felt like I would be trying to drag you out of bed for your first day of high school t...

Dear Baby Boy, When did you stop being a baby?  When did this little boy emerge, so independent and full of ideas and opinions?  It seems like it was just yesterday that I was introducing you to new things, showing you textures and foods.  Now here you are exploring on your own and bringing things to me with new excitement!  Everything is an adventure.  Whether it's a piece of grass, your trucks, or pointing at the cat for the millionth time, everything is new and exciting. Each new word you learn is said and repeated again and again with such pride.  The little baby that I loved so much has turned into a little boy that I love even more.  Instead of trying to keep you awake until bedtime, it's now you who is tiring me out early!  You no longer watch me put blocks together, but instead build them into tall towers yourself.  I love your creativity and your energy.  I loved seeing your smile today as we looked at the fish in the pet store...

Dear Baby Boy, I love you to the moon and back. But more importantly, I love you so much that when you spit up on me I don't gag and throw up on you. I love you so much that I don't mind not sleeping in. I love you so much that I'm willing to watch a movie in 30 minute chunks. I love you so much that I don't get mad when you pull everything out of the dishwasher. I love you so much that when you won't stop crying, I'm not thinking about my ears, but what I can do to make you feel better. I love you so much that I am willing to spend more time at Target (ok, so that's not hard, but still!) I love you so much that Belle quickly became “just a cat”. I love you so much that errands can take me all day and it's ok. I love you so much that I will sit with you for half an hour while you figure out whether or not you like chicken. I love you so much I can lose track of time just watching you sleep. I love you so much that my vocabulary sometim...

Dear Baby Boy, I cannot believe you've been with us for over a month. I am amazed at the things I have seen: you sit up on your own for the first time, your smile that lights up the room, the laugh that can lift the world off my shoulders in an instant, your developing attachment to blondes, your introduction to solid foods, your dislike of peas, the way you babble as if it makes perfect sense, the way you've begun to crawl... Oh baby boy, I may not hear your first words, or take you to your first day of school, or see you make the football team, or walk across the stage during graduation, but I am seeing today. I am seeing you bounce around, scoot across the floor, and give face-planting wet kisses. I get to read you bedtime stories and go with you down the slide. It has been my privilege to witness these precious moments, and I will treasure them forever. Thank you for lighting up my world. I love you. Love, Mom

Dear Baby Boy, Yesterday I took you to the doctor. You were so brave. When it was time for your shots, I didn't want to set you down. I was afraid for you. I smiled and cooed and tried to take your attention away from the pain. When you grabbed my fingers as the needle went in, my heart broke. I hated to see you in pain. But I was honored to be there, to hold you, to let you know that I am here to protect you, to love you, to kiss away your hurts, and hold you when nothing else seems to help. You fussed and cried that afternoon, but in my arms you were at peace. Oh baby boy, that means the world to me. I can't always protect you from pain. Unfortunately pain is a part of life. But when it hurts, I am here. When you cry, I am here. When you laugh, my world lights up. When you sneezed sweet potatoes all over me and gave me the biggest smile, everything somehow seemed right. And when you cry, I want to do everything in my power to make it right. You all ready set...