You change our lives....

I love this picture of you.  It reminds me of one we took of Miles when he was born.  Just a day old and you already had sleeping down!

Nana and Ojo came to see you first.  I only got to stay with you for the first week and then I had to go to Australia for a job.  I knew I left you in great hands and it was good to give your grandparents a chance to get to know you too.  They helped take of Miles as he had so much energy and that gave mommy some time alone with you.

You had some problems learning to drink milk from mommy but she kept at it till you figured it out.  It must have worked because wow, you sure did grow fast!   Uncle Rory and Aunt Tara couldn't wait to come and meet you too.

When I finished my job in Australia, I came straight to your house.  I couldn't wait to get to know you better.  Mommy even let me put your crib in the living room where I slept so that she could get a good night's sleep and I got up with you when you woke up.  It was a great way to get to know all your little ways. Then Papa fly from Texas to meet you.  He could hardly wait to get here, he was so excited to meet you and to make sure Miles had attention too.  Unfortunately, Papa and I hardly ever take pictures of ourselves!  But I can tell you we were right there with you getting lots of hugs from Miles and sweet cuddles with you!  

Exciting Day for Zachary Joseph Cowal!!

Yes! You officially have a name!  Zachary seems like such a big name for you right now.  I think I will just call you Z as Z man!  Then when you get a little bigger, maybe it will be Zach....Miles is in love with you and says the whole name but it comes out something like "Zacry",

I am very excited to say I was there the day you were born! We had just put Miles to bed and were at the table eating a huge burrito when mommy turns to me and goes "oh my gosh, I think my water broke!"  That just means that you were saying "hey let me out of here"!  Daddy was a business function so we called him right away.  Man, that guy got to us so fast!  In time at all daddy told mommy "it's time to go to the hospital". Now, normally your dad is "cool, collected and doesn't get frazzled" that easily.  But the night you were born he was so nervous and got all the way down stairs when he realized he didn't have mommy's phone with the doctor information.  He races back up, couldn't find it so I called it and we found it in a pant's pocket!  Off he races to get mommy in the taxi and get to the hospital.  I am staying behind to be with Miles.  I look down and daddy forgot mommy's hospital bag!  I just had to smile.  Everyone was just so excited you had decided to come out and say hello!

Mommy writes on her blog:

 "Hello, Baby!"
"Just dropping in really quickly to say that Zachary Joseph was born at 10:56pm on May 22 in an astoundingly fast birth. Like, seriously fast…2 hours and 45 minutes from start to finish. Weighing in at 7 lbs, 4 oz and measuring 20 inches long, he’s beautiful and we’re totally in love. Pictures to follow over the next few days once we get home and settled."

Here are some of your very first pictures in the hospital.   I mean, was there ever a cuter baby?!

 I could hardly wait for the next day so I could take Miles up to see you.  I think Miles fell in love with you immediately.  He didn't seem jealous of you at all.  Just wanted to be right there on the bed with you!  Mommy looks so happy here holding her two favorite boys....

By the time you read this, you might think Miles is bossy!  But just look at this picture when you are mad at him and you will know he loved you from the very beginning.

When I saw your daddy holding you that first day and the love that just covered his face, I knew that you were going to be a very lucky baby.  You will always know you came into this world so loved!

Your parents couldn't wait to bring you home!  You are so different from Miles.  For one thing, you have so much hair AND you are a little bigger.  You are so adorable with your chubby little cheeks!

Getting to know the family....

When you are finally old enough to look at this book,  you will know the familiar feeling of climbing on daddy's lap to read a book.

Your dad is a great reader!  He does all the voices of the character and if you close your eyes for a moment, you can imagine you are in the book with the characters!  Yep, he's that good.

You will find your daddy is loving and soft spoken, even if you are pestering him!  He will always be there for you even if he's gone on a trip for work, he is only a phone call away if you need him.  He is also turning out to be a great cook!  Mama is feeling pretty whoozy right now and looking at food makes her feel yucky.  So daddy has picked up the cooking for everyone so that mama will eat properly.  He knows you depend on good food to grow big inside her tummy.  I hope you won't be as picky an eater as your brother Miles!  He likes to "smell" his food before he eats it and if he doesn't like the way it smells, won't even touch it!  But he does love him some pancakes!

One of the best things about your mama is her cuddles!  As you can see here, if you are not feeling well, she's got a nice snuggle place for you to use.  As the days goes on, she is getting excited about getting to hold you and give you butterfly kisses!

Did I mention that she is also a GREAT book reader too?  You are so lucky as you have two parents who love books and love to read them to their children.  Now, Miles has trained them well for you and they will be used to reading the same book over and over!

This is Ojo holding Miles the day he was born.  I know he is looking forward to having that same feeling when they place YOU in his arms.  You have this terrific grandfather!

He loves to run after you and play hide and seek and loves to see his grand babies laugh!  He will spend hours just playing with you.  He has so much patience.  The best part is he loves to help you have fun in the bath tub!  By the time Miles and Ojo are done with bath, there are bubbles everywhere!  But oh, the laughter you hear as they talk away....

Nana could hardly wait till Miles was born as she wanted to be a grandmother so bad!  She loves to come up and visit or have you go to Maryland to visit.  You can see all the love on her face here as she held Miiles for the first time.

When she found out mama and daddy were having another little boy she was so excited.  Remember, she had two boys too!  So she could see right away how much fun it would be for you to have a little brother.  Your daddy is very close to Uncle Rory and I think you will be very close to your brother Miles.  

Rory is very excited about being an uncle.  His wife Tara will be a wonderful aunt!  They live far away but I know will get back to see you as much as possible.  He will be the fun Uncle to go visit some day!

See how gentle he is here with Miles?  Imagine him holding you in the same loving way.  You will never lack for arms to hold you!

Count Down....

Miles is waiting patiently for you and I think he understands you will soon be part of his world.  Your Nana and Ojo can hardly wait for your arrival. Your mama is feeling the extra weight of carrying you around and I is knitting like crazy so she can finish your little hat.  All of us want to do something different for you than we did for Miles so you will always know you were special too.

Here's your mama at 33 weeks!  She writes on her blog:  

"It’s hard to believe that this pregnancy is slowly drawing to a close. I’m trying to savor each little quiet moment with the New Guy when I can snatch a moment of peace from my day. I feel bad that I haven’t done as much for him as I did for Milo. I wrote lots of letters to Milo and was pretty good about taking photos of each stage of my pregnancy because I wanted him to have a record of his life from the earliest point. I haven’t done that nearly as much the second time around. Frankly, I am tired and am having a hard time finding the motivation or the energy to sit down and write. Still, I’m not totally neglecting my nesting duties. I’m in the middle of making the New Guy’s baby blanket (something I did not do for Milo) and I’ve already completed a few knitted hats for him to wear in the beginning. Don’t worry, little one, your mama has plans for you. I might skimp on the pregnancy mementos, but I can assure you that I won’t skimp on the hugs and kisses and cuddles once you get here."

Your daddy and mama keep saying they are not sure about your name yet.  I think they know but they want to keep it a surprise.  It's nice as the first time someone whispers your name to you, it will just be your daddy and mama welcoming you into this world...

Something Just For You!

The one problem in being the second child is you get all the clothes from the first child! Now, that's not too bad since your brother has some really cute clothes!

Still...Mimi wanted you to always know that we all felt you deserved a few very special pieces of clothes that were only for "you". Since I work with babies all the time, I thought I should decide how to find the "best" for my new sweet baby (that's you!). There is a brand of baby clothes called Kicky Pants that are so soft it makes you want to hold the baby to your face for a long time! They do cost a little more but I decided to buy some for you because I think you are worth it.

It's hard to put into words how much we already love you. Mommy has worked so hard to exercise and eat better just so you could be born healthy. She and daddy are talking about names a lot now and I try not to say anything because only mommies and daddies should decide on the name.

I am in a beautiful placed called Amelia Island in Florida. I watch the waves fall gently on the beach from my room. I dream about the time that Papa and I can take you and Miles on a vacation (we might even bring mommy and daddy!).

It is hard to think that in 8 weeks you could be in my arms! I know Miles will be a great big brother even if he will be kind of bossy! You, are going to be, the best little brother in the world!

Love you sweet baby,

Mimi

Mimi: You are so in my heart today....

Your mama and daddy went to Puerto Rico to have a week to think about you. Just some alone time away from Miles and Papa and I came to watch the rascal! You are going to have an amazing brother but I do fear he might be a bit bossy!

I sit here and hope that this time next year I will get to watch you! I know you are going to be incredible and my heart will be so filled with love. It isn't easy being a second child but I can promise you that you will never be "second" in anyone's heart. You will always stand out as your own person and we will embrace you and love you for whom you are--never worry about being compared to Miles!

Mama already talks about how different you are. You are more active in her tummy, you like to poke and say "hello" a lot! I guess you are just making sure she knows you are different. I can hardly wait for May! In just three months I will get to hold you and kiss you all over!

Some days I am really sad about losing your Uncle Adam. When I feel sad and lonely, I think of you and Miles. Just the thought of you two brights my spirit and brings a smile to my face. Your mom is my only daughter and I have loved her from the day I first felt her kick!

She was different than my friend's little girls. She was so serious about learning everything as fast she could and boy did she learn everything quick. But she was also bossy as she knew everyone in the family adored her as she was the youngest and the only girl since her Aunt Bridget was born. She really hated to clean her room and she would have toys everywhere! Her daddy, Papa, would fuss at her and she would stomp her little foot and go back to her room and stay there rather than just clean up her toys! She had a lot of pride and just didn't always know how to let it go. She was a character! Don't let her make you think she was perfect because she could be a trial to me. But always, always, no matter what she did--right or wrong--I loved her with all my heart. So don't worry if you make mistakes sometimes...Parents always love you no matter what. I think it's a Parent Law or something...

I am in New York City working this week and Sunday I am all done and get to go over and hug Miles and rub your mommy's tummy to say hello to you....I love you my little munchkin...

Mimi

To "LIttle Spaghetti" from Mama

It seems I have constant movement from little Spaghetti, which is my pet name for you!

I am loving: Hanging with my two boys. Spending as much uninterrupted fun time with Milo while we’re still a power trio.

I wonder if you will do that newborn scream Miles did when he was in a car seat? Or will you like it and go to sleep?!

Also love feeling my little guy move around constantly and really, really loving the flood of lovey feelings I get sometimes toward this baby.

Baby, you are doing a great job, keep up the good work!


I’m at my favorite stage of pregnancy, the bit where I look pregnant not fat, and people give me seats on the subway, but before strangers start asking me if I'm having twins, or telling me that I look “about to pop!” even though I have weeks and weeks to go. I’m still at the bit where people tell me how wonderful I look, still in the throes of the glory of the 2nd trimester where you still let momma bend over and tie her shoes!

I’ve finally started gaining weight. As of today, I’m up 7 pounds. At this point in my first pregnancy, I think I’d gained like 18 lbs already with your brother so mama is glad you are not making her so fat! I’m making much better eating choices this time around, mindful of the fact that I did not lose the last 14 pounds of baby weight after Milo was born. (Mostly because mama can be so laaaaaaazy!)

I know there will be times you will wonder if you were "different" than Miles. Well, I have your brother in my care this time, so there’s that. But mostly, I’m much more relaxed. I don’t have to worry about what baby products I’ll use, what equipment I need to buy, will we circumcise, how I’ll feed/clothe/transport you. I’m more relaxed with you as I know my idea of how I would like things to get you into this world. I'm probably not your "hero" mom but I will do my best to let you come into this world naturally. I am trying really hard to take care of myself so I don't have this infection and have to take antibiotics right before you are born. I want to make it easy on both of us if I can...

I am looking forward to: Going to the island of Culebra next Thursday with daddy. Your grandparents, Mimi and Papa are flying in from Austin on Tuesday, and they’re going to stay here with Milo while daddy and I take off for what will probably be the last “alone” time we’ll have for the next several years.

I’m torn over this, of course. I’m worried about leaving Milo, I feel guilty about not bringing him, especially since he’s been developing some separation anxiety lately. I know I’ll miss him terribly. But I also know/keep telling myself that he’ll be in excellent hands with my parents, that he’ll be loved on and well fed and spoiled by his grandparents, and I am desperately craving some alone time with my husband. We went to Vieques when I was pregnant with Milo, and it was one of the most amazing weeks I’ve ever spent. I want this time with just daddy and I and you in my tummy as we think about all the love we want to give you.

You are moving so much in my tummy right now and I love feeling close to you...

Lots of love, Mama