A Letter to Jayce: Two Years

To my sweet-hearted boy,

You are 2!! How in the world did this happen?! This year went by quicker than it should have. I think that was mostly due to the fact that we all had something to focus on...you becoming a big brother!!

The biggest change in this year of you was the fact that Mommy got pregnant with Jelly Bean a month after you turned one. It was definitely a little earlier than we were thinking but you have grown so much more, I think, because of this little baby. It seems impossible that I could love someone as much as I love you but it's true. AND, I love you so much more seeing you with your sister. 

You are an AMAZING big brother. You LOVE holding her, giving her hugs, and giving her kisses.

You always make sure she has her blankie when she's in the mamaroo. You let me know when she's sad and even make a sympathy sad face and voice. You are even hoping she will sit up or walk so you can play together. You are trying to share toys and books with her.

When you were a year and a half old, you moved into your big boy room with a big boy bed. We didn't want you to move after the baby was born in case it made you mad at her. So, you got to get a little independent earlier than Mommy wanted.

Another big change is your level of communication. When I found out I was pregnant, I got really scared because you couldn't really talk yet. You were signing some words and even saying a few. Daddy had to keep reminding me that you would be talking by the time Jelly Bean came. Boy, was he right! You can't stop talking now! I love how much you talk to us, how quickly you learn new words, and how to use them correctly.

You have shown Mommy and Daddy how much you love books. You tell us which ones you want to read. You even read them on your own!

We took you to the zoo for the first time a week after you turned one. We have been sooooo many times since then. It's your happy place now. You ask if Grandma can go with us a lot too. She even gave you a membership to the zoo for your birthday this year so she can go with you whenever you want!

You are trying so hard to be like Daddy. You want to do whatever he is doing - raking leaves, blowing leaves, mowing the grass, hanging pictures, or fixing your truck.

You still love to play outside and go to parks.

You had so many firsts over the past year. It's really hard to remember them all and share them with you...but here's quite a few. =)

• Haircut (just one tear!)

• Astros game (& you got on the big screen!!)

• movie in the theater (Finding Dory)

• Really Big Christmas Show

• OSU football game (at Baylor)

• Halloween to trick-or-treat (you didn't make it past the end of the driveway)

• Zoo Lights

• Christmas crafts

• Bad Santa photo

• Good boo boo

• Easter Egg hunt (even if it was in our living room)

• Zoobilee (which included your first ice cream sandwich)

You love - 

• baths

• Helping with groceries

• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

• Tiny Tots

• Grandwinkle

• Cousin KK

• your bff - S

• helping cook

• saying "cheese"

• the ranch

• playing with balls

• sweeping

• friends

I cannot put into words what all this year has brought for you. I hope these pictures are enough. I love you so much big boy. I cannot wait to see what this next year brings. I pray that God continues to bring you closer to Him. When you are "leaving the house," you say you are going shopping or to church. I pray you will keep loving going to church. 

I love you to the moon and back, Jayce.

Mommy

A Letter to Averi: Two Months

Averi girl,

You have done lots of growing this month, physically and mentally. Daddy and I are loving how you are starting to recognize our voices. You even try to find us with your eyes when you hear us talking to you. It's starting to get hard to leave you in the mamaroo because you know we are nearby. You also hold your head up, almost like a pro. Your doctor was even impressed with how well you hold it up.

You had your first trip to the zoo. We went so that Brother could hang out with friends and see the animals. Even though you slept most of the time, I know that you loved it. You woke up for a little bit and you were happy.

You had your first bath that wasn't in the sink. Brother was so excited that you were going to take a bath with him. You love the water being squirted on you. I don't know if it's because it's warm or you just love baths.

You went to 2 baby showers this month for Mommy's friends. The first one was for Miss K who will be here in June. Her mommy was there when you were born so I hope you guys are friends just like her mommy & me. You got to hang out with Miss K's cousin. She liked you too!

The second shower was for Miss OG who is coming within the next month! Her mommy & I decided that you guys have to be best friends. We are together a lot so you will be hanging out A LOT with Miss OG. We can't wait for y'all to meet.

You tried your first bottle. Of course, Brother wanted to help. I'm not sure if more milk ended up on your chin or in your mouth. =) You chewed more on it than sucking the milk out. That's what you do with pacis too. I'm not sure if you will get the hang of bottles or pacis but that's ok.

You are starting to want snuggles for nap time and before bed. I'm ok with that though! It's hard for me to do this with you since Brother is always running around. Even if I don't get to nap or go to bed as quickly as I want, I'm happy to be getting alone time snuggles with you.

You are getting close to smiling on purpose! This picture shows that but this is really documenting something else. In this moment, you were doing your first talking sound! It wasn't a normal coo; it was like you were trying to talk to me. It was so precious! You seem to be trying really hard to talk, smile, and look at us.

Your brother still loves to hold you, just not as often. Just like with bath time, he loves being able to be with you and watch you. In this first picture, he was making a silly sound for you to try and smile.

He loves lying down next to you more than holding you lately. He still gives you lots of kisses on your head. I really hope you two love each other as you keep getting older. I know it won't always be like this but maybe it can be more so than not.

He is so proud to have you as his sister. I hope you feel the same about him.

You love to be outside just like Brother. It can calm you down when you are fussy; so can someone just holding you.

When we go to the parks, you are ok being in your car seat if we keep moving and are outside.

Just before your "birthday," you found your hands. You are really chewing on them and sucking on them. I hope your gums/teeth aren't already bothering you! You are starting to drool as well so I think they might be. I wish I could make them feel better. Chewing on your hand and pacis seem to help. Sometimes, I wish you would suck on a paci so it could help you more; but, I'm also glad you don't so I don't have to break you of that habit later.

I cannot wait to see the growing you do this next month. I think smiles, eye tracking, and more "talking" is coming and I'm so excited. I still hate that you are growing so fast already but I love you. It's part of life. I get to see your little personality coming out and I can't wait to see the sweet girl that you become.

"I love you all the way to the moon...and back."
Mommy