Dear R,
You’re five today! It seems like only yesterday that you
were peeing all over your dad every time he tried to change your diaper. From
the moment that we met, I knew that being your mom would be a wild ride. You
decided to make your appearance a week past your predicted due date and arrive
on April Fool’s Day. Do you know what people say when you call to tell them
that your one-week-overdue baby was born on April Fool’s Day? No way! I knew
even then that you would have a unique sense of humor.
You must have really enjoyed our company because you woke
every 2-3 hours for most of the first 9 months of your life. You were rarely
unhappy, just hungry and ready to play. The baby sleep books (and I’ve read
them all) said that I shouldn’t “engage” you when you woke in the middle of the
night, but how to resist that toothless grin at 3 in the morning? Until you
were born, I didn’t believe in love at first sight.
As a toddler, you were unusually in tune with other people’s
emotions. One morning at daycare, another child stood at the door crying at drop
off, and I saw your tiny two-year-old hand reach out to pat him on the back. I
have loved that about you ever since.
You have learned and changed so much this past year, and
have transformed from preschooler into full-fledged “kid,” as you refer to
yourself. You know how to write your letters and their sounds, have started to
read short words, and can do some addition and subtraction problems. You
mastered riding a bike without training wheels, moved up to the next level of swimming
lessons, and started taking showers instead of baths. You broke into t-ball and
basketball, and now understand which goal you need to run toward during a
soccer game. Many times you have amazed us by doing things we didn’t even know
you could do.
You’ve made new friends over the past year. It makes me
happy to see you building relationships outside of our family, but I also realize
that means that our house isn’t the center of your universe anymore. You will
go to school soon, and meet more new and interesting people with ideas and
thoughts that are different from anything that Dad or I have taught you. I hope
you will remember the things that our family values, even when we can’t be
right there with you.
-Show care and kindness to all
living things. Remember that you have a lot of people who love you and help you
along the path you are on. Keep in mind that not everyone has those people in
their lives. Be that person for someone who needs it.
-Live your life with integrity,
even if it means you won’t be the richest guy on the block. Remember that
wealth is measured in many ways, not just by the stuff you have or the amount
of money you make.
-Protect your health. It’s the
greatest gift you’ve been given, so treat your body like you would treat a
brand-new car. Take it in for regular tune-ups, and put good fuel in it. Wear
your seat belt and bicycle helmet.
-Value education. It’s the only
thing that can never be taken away from you. Having a wide base of knowledge
makes life fuller and richer and opens many more doors to you in the future.
-Know that you can come to Dad and me with anything, and we will listen and help you figure out what to do.
Thank you for making me a mother. And remember that you’re
never too old to be your momma’s baby.
I love you Little-Big Man!
Mom
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