Baby Love

Dear Emily,

You are loving baby Wyatt, Jennifer's littlest son, and I can only wonder how you will be with your very own baby brother or sister. I suspect that the two of you will be very close, and you'll be an amazing big sister. Yesterday Jennifer came walking outside with baby Wyatt, you caught sight of them, hold out your arms, and yelled, "MY BABY!!" You kisses him and helped me hold him. I can't wait for you to hold sweet little sibling... hopefully soon :)

Pig Tails

Dear Emily -

Yesterday Jen and I put pig tails in your hair for the first time, since I noticed it was finally thickening up!  Aren't you the cutest thing??  You really enjoyed them and didn't try to pull the rubberband out.  Today I put it up in a pony tail -  not as if there was really enough hair for it to work much, but it did work and cuuuuuute!!!

'morning giggles

Dear Emily -

I love morning times with you.  Just being next to you really, and as much as I enjoy having you asleep in your own bed and being able to stretch out in mind, I love having you so close to me.

On this morning in particular, you were barely awake and full of so many giggles!!

Bed Time Fun

Dear Emily,

Although you were born in water, and spent your very early years taking showers with me, you reached a point where you didn't like showers any more or even baths for that matter.You spent quite a long period of time just preferring to be wiped down with a washcloth, which worked just fine for us.  You now though, you you absolutely love water.  When I was trying to take a shower today you were trying to climb in.  You would play in the tub for hours if you could, splashing away.  I need to start bringing toys in for you. 

Running water facinates you, most especially lately.  You like to get a container, of any sort, and let it full up and dump it.  Today you loved watching the water trickle down the spout on the house, and fill your little plastic half eggs up and dump them.  You were not happy when I brought you inside, but a storm had come in and it was quite chilly outside.

Your other love, teeth brushing.  This is a great love to have!  You'd keep that toothbrush in your mouth all day if you could, chewing away.  You now have grasped the hand coordination to brush your front teeth, although we're working on the back.

Dear Emily ~

Time is moving too fast.  Your words have gotten more clear, and your humor has grown!  You love to do things that make others laugh :)  Your independence is so strong, but you're so mature and responsible in how you handle yourself.

There are times though that you throw your fits, and they make me smile.  If you dont want to be in the carseat you scream and arch your back, or if you feel you aren't being understood or listened to you voice your frustration.  Life with you is so amazing Emily, every day I feel such thanks for having you as my daughter.  I'm so proud of you!

When Wyatt was born Feb. 10th, you stayed with your dad for the entire week so I could stay and help Jen.  It is such a feeling of peace to know you are well cared for and loved, and in very good hands.  As much as you love being with your dad, it's progressively gotten more difficult to let you go.  It seemed that as soon as we fell in to our routine again together, you were gone again.  Your dad was so patient this last week and didn't question my need to hold on to you.  After a week I was fine letting you go again.  It's both the most joyful emotion to see you so happy when you're with your dad and hear about all your experiences, and so difficult to face letting you go.  But, oh Emily, what a good daddy you have.  I feel such thanks, and hope he always knows how appreciative I am of him, and thankful.

Last week we decided to split week/week.  Emotionally, for me as your mom, I think it will be easier.  I hope so.  To have one long stretch of days before you're back to playing with your dad again.  Hopefully it'll be easier for him as well.  The greatest though, is that we both love all the moments of joys you bring in to our lives each and every day.  I'm thankful that even when you're with your dad he shares so many of your events with me, and when you're with me he is truly interested to hear all you've experienced in your day.  You seem to know the tie between the two, and know we talk from our computers, since when you hear the message alert daddy says you grab him, point to the computer, and say, "Mommy!"

We decided it was time to try for a sibling for you!  Wow, to be a big sister.  Are you ready?  I think you'll be an amazing one :)

Dear Emily -

I should be in bed now, but wanted to write to you first.

There have been many times I have started to write something to you, and planned to come back later to finish. Almost four months since I've written to you last. Four months. That's such a long time in your toddler years. So many firsts I've missed sharing with you. So many things I've been so proud of, which I should have written down. Forever they will be in my memory though, and what a very sweet memory it is.

Every day you amaze me Emily. Every day you accomplish something new, and every day you change someone's world. The most precious one to watch is your fathers. You've been spending more and more time with him, and as he shares so many new accomplishments and experiences he has with you is makes me cherish all the two of you have together all that much more. He is an amazing man. I feel very blessed to have him a part of our family, and for you to have him as your dad. I will always be grateful to him.

Today you are 20 months 10 days old. Your second birthday is getting closer and closer! You now are speaking 5-6 word scentances, cooking food (blocks, legos, and such) on your play stove and serving them to your dad and even your grandparents over the webcam, and with great excitement you are accomplishing the toilet training :) You are so very close!

You are very particular about things, such as eating (you insist on using utensils), where your cup goes, and the order in which things are done. You are particular, but not overly so - good things since our house doesn't follow any type of order :) You are an incredible little sister to your big brother and sisters, but also are quite the tag-a-long and helper during my nanny jobs, even with Harrison - you are amazing and holding your own with peace and strength. I am so proud of you.

Today I went to pick up your paperwork for the Montessori School you've been accepted in to. Normally their age is 2.5 yrs, but with your interview and observance of how you handle yourself you have been accepted 6mo early. While picking up that paperwork I talked with one of the teachers, who laughed and shared her thoughts on how amazed she was just watching you as well as how observant you were. She is very excited to be working with you come this summer.

I am very excited for you and school, but dreading the time coming as well. When will I get to see you? When will I spend time with you? I'm looking at you attending school 3x week (9-12), but come Fall you're moving up to full-time (up to 10hrs a day) 3x week. I have no doubt you will love every moment, and yet I miss you already and it's still 4mo away *counting fingers.....* Four Months????? :( Well then, you will have to tell me about all your experiences when I pick you up from school each day :D

Today marks the 8th day you've been over at your dads. This is the longest we have every been apart, although I did see you for a few hours on Monday (five days ago) when we all got together for dinner with your grandparents (my parents) when they were in town. You've been with your dad because Jennifer had her baby. Baby Wyatt. You will love him! What a special time for you, to have all this time. Your dad shares so much with me, from teeth brushing, dinner cooking, talking to your grandparents over webcam, you chasing "bunnies" (squirrels), accomplishments in the potty, and so many more!

I have such big sweet news.....

..... in five days, most likely, we will be trying for your baby brother or baby sister. We are beyond excited. I have a journal started already, and will write more. I hope as you grow older you'll find the same joy to write in it as well.

I look forward to all your life is going to bring Emily. All your accomplishments to come, and watching you grow in to becoming all you can be. At the same time, I wish I could rewind the clock. You're growing too fast, but oh how much of an amazing little girl you have become already!

Every Moment I Love You...... my beautiful little Emily. Every moment. Every moment, whether you're sitting next to me or climbing over my head, I love every moment.

I can't wait to wrap you in my arm tomorrow and hold you forever. Eight days has been too long, and yet at the same time I cherished every minute for you since you were with your dad :)