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

Dear baby,

I have been so bad about writing to you, but I think about you constantly.

I have so many hopes and dreams for you, little one. It's different to be pregnant this time around. Many of the concerns and questions I had when I was pregnant with your brother aren't so much of an issue for me this time. I don't wonder how it will be to take care of a newborn, I don't worry about giving birth or what kind of things I need to buy for you. Instead, I mostly just wonder about you, how you'll be, what your personality will be like. Will you be very different from Milo or will you have similar personality? Your dad and Uncle Rory were very different from each other as children, as were your Uncle Adam and I, so I wonder if this will be the case with you. I wonder who you'll look like, what color your hair will be and what color eyes you'll have.

You scoot around in my belly constantly, poking at me and letting me know when you don't care for how I'm sitting. I feel you move much more than I felt your brother, which is exciting for me. I've been planning out how things will be in the months after you're born. I'm working on planning some out-of-the-house activities for Milo so that I can get some alone time with you, just to hold you and kiss you and love you without anyone else interrupting.

I am so excited to have another little boy. I hope that you and Milo will be great pals. I know that he's going to love you so much. He's been practicing with his baby doll, and he loves to carry it around and give it a bottle and wrap it up in a blanket. I know there will be times he'll probably pester you or not be so nice to you, but I hope for the most part that you two will love each other and enjoy each others' company.

The end of May seems so far away right now. We can't wait to meet you, little one.

Love always,
Mama

Wanting to show you the world...

Your Papa and I love to travel. There are wonderful things to see in the United States. There is the Smoky Mtns in Tennessee, Grand Canyon in Arizona and the hills of San Franciso. There are great beaches in the Florida Keys, the Gulf of Mexico has so many beautiful warm ocean beaches.

You have family in Belgium that will always welcome you. Papa and I bought a travel plan that will allow us in the years to come to see many countries and maybe when you are 6, you and Miles will not be afraid to take an adventure away from Mom and Dad! I would love to show you Australia some day...(maybe we can take mom and dad)

I wish for you a heart full of adventure! I hope you will have a natural curiosity about your world and the people who share it. I will be in Melbourne, Australia right after you are born (hoping you come a few days early so I can be with you) and might go see the Penguin walk. I will take pictures for you and Miles.

I found an empty photograph book the other day. I am hoping to take more pictures of the family and of the times we spend together in the years to come. When it is full, I will give it to you and Miles...

I love you little man, Mimi

From Mommy..

I want you to know that I think about you all the time! I wonder if you will be a big baby or small one (mommy hopes for a small baby!)? Will you look like Miles (who looks a lot like daddy) or will finally I have a baby that looks like me?! You are so lucky as you will have a great daddy!

If I haven't written a lot till now, it's because your brother Miles keeps me busy and you have left my body very tired. Hopefully, you hear me as I talk to you and tell you how loved you are.

Your daddy had to go away for a week and we missed him so much. When he came home Miles ran to him and I loved watching them play. As I watched my two guys together it just about melted my heart. I am beyond excited to bring another little guy into our circle in a few months. My heart, it is so full.

Love, Mommy

Mommy says you must have a sweet tooth!

I was reading mommy's blog The Kid Has Arrived and she sounds like she is craving a lot of doughnuts! Are you making her hungry for doughnuts?! What a little rascal you are already! She says you very active and moving around a lot. Your daddy is off to a film festival this week and I think she misses him....

I know you will have your own special personality and I am looking forward to seeing what you like and don't like. Your brother Miles does not like bread at this moment or meat. Your uncle Adam was like that--very picky on what he ate. But your mommy, well, she would eat just about anything!

In two weeks I see Miles, your mom and dad and Papa is coming with me. Now, Papa does not like going to New York in the winter--it's too cold when you live in sunny Austin! But he loves your brother very much and will suffer the cold just to see "little man" which is what he calls Miles.

I know this time next year he will be adding your name to the list of people he is willing to suffer the cold if it means seeing you.

In just 4 months we will get to see your sweet little face...can't wait...

Mimi

I made pictures today with you in mind...

Mimi always thinks she doesn't take good pictures so it is easy for me to take pictures rather than be in them! But today I went and had pictures taken for my website. But mostly, I was thinking how I want you to have pictures of me to look in when you read this blog years down the line! I did one with little trains as I know your brother likes them, and I was thinking some day, my little "Pepe" might like trains too!

I am going to go see your mommy and daddy and brother Miles Feb 6th and I'm so excited. I will get to put my hand on mommy's tummy and feel YOU! I love you little guy and can't wait to hold you~

Mimi

From Mommy: I found out you were a boy today!

Matt and I went to my midwife’s office today for our 20 week ultrasound, aka the day you can find out (if the baby cooperates) the sex. The tech was talking us through all the steps she was doing. There are two techs in the office, but this one is my favorite because she’s so nice and always goes into detail about what she’s looking for and what she’s seeing. There’s nothing more nerve-wracking than lying there on the table while the tech peers silently, with lips pursed, at the squishy thing inside your belly for 15 minutes.

Everything looked wonderful, she assured us. Limbs and digits where they were supposed to be, brain and organs developing on track. She asked if we wanted to know the sex, and we said yes. She squished the baby around a bit trying to get it to cooperate, but she finally got the wand in the right position - it’s a boy, she announced. No doubt about it.

Now, I’ve been telling everyone I thought it was a boy. I’ve been telling everyone that I wanted another boy. I love the close relationship my husband and his brother have. I was the worst kind of sullen, depressive, angst-ridden, unpleasant to be around teenage girl, and I feared the karmic retribution of that being visited upon me in years to come. On the practical side of things, since baby #2 will be born within a few days of Milo’s birthday, all of his clothes will be seasonally appropriate for the new baby to wear. Obviously, a girl could wear most of Milo’s stuff with a few embellishes here and there, but it would be even easier for a boy.

Now that I’ve gotten over my initial shock, I’m quickly coming around to the idea of another son. And really, the most important thing is that I’m so incredibly lucky to have a baby who’s developing in a healthy, appropriate manner, and I’m having a healthy and happy pregnancy.

You are going to be Mile's Brother!

We just found out today that you are going to be a boy! So first thing I had to do was change your page here to have some blue on it! My girl friend wrote me the sweetest comment about little boys:

How great is that girl!!!! You know, little boys grow up to worship and adore their Mothers and Grandmothers FOREVER. What a keen thing to be surrounded with all your life.

I think that is definitely true! Your Uncle Adam (I wish you could have known him as he would have loved to be an uncle to two boys!) was always close to me. Something about little boys that crawl into their mother's hearts.

I just know that just the other day your mom and I were talking and she said, "I am really hoping for another boy. Not just because it makes it easier for not having another bedroom some day, or that I won't have to worry about clothes, but I see how close Matt and Rory are and I would love for Miles to have that kind of friendship with his brother."

So I sit here today thinking about you. I know you will be so different as all children have their own personality. But I think you will find Miles is a great big brother and will be there for you in the years to come. Little brothers can be a support for big brothers too--someone he can always talk to when he's older...

We are just all so excited today and can't wait to meet you!

Lots of tummy hugs,
Mimi

You are always on my mind...

I want to tell you about your family. First, the people you will never meet but who would have loved knowing you. Your great grandmother, Maxine was an amazing woman. She raised 4 kids on very little money and raised us to watch over each other. I miss her a lot as I know she would have just loved knowing you. Your mommy was one of her favorite grandchildren. Your great grandfather was born in Antwerp, Belgium. He lived through World War II, was a merchant marine and traveled the world. He became my father when he married my mom when I was 6. He was a funny man and I loved trading witty remarks with him. He loved Marina and your uncle Adam so much. He had never been around small babies and yet he would babysit for your mom many times all by himself! He could build just about anything and once when he needed a garage, he built it all by himself! He got into wood working when he retired and made wonderful wood pieces using no nails or screws! Maybe by now you have something in your house that he made!

I had 2 sisters and one brother. My older sister Janice was 11 years older than me and my brother, Don was 10 years older and Diane was 3 years older than me. Your uncle Don was amazing musician as he could play the guitar like it was a part of him.
Your Aunt Janice loved to decorate especially at Christmas. She often had 4 Christmas trees! Diane was always good at sewing and making things too. Your cousin, Cathy (Aunt Janice's daughter) worked for Kroger's and at one time did the Roses Bouquet for the Kentucky Derby winner. She started out just working doing the vegetables and fruits and then got promoted to do the first florist department in Kroger. She now runs the entire 3 state district for all the flowers and fruits for the entire Kroger chain. You have very smart women in your family!

I want you to know these things so you know that you come from a family that uses their own talents to advance in the world. Are you wondering what I am like? Hopefully, I will be around to tell you all about my life! I started a business being a travel nanny and have traveled all over the world. I love bringing home little souvenirs for your mom and Miles. I hope soon to bring home things for you.

I want you to know that you are loved so much already. Even though it will be 5 months before I get to hold you, I love you so much. You are going to have a great brother in Miles. He has such a happy and loving heart. I think you will get lots of hugs and kisses from him!

I write here so that someday, when you are all grown, you can dust off this book and know how much you are cherished.

Mommy and daddy can't come up with a name so they still call you their little Paprika! I love that as I think of you as a beautiful red color that represents a little spice to life!

Love you, Mimi

Hello my little Paprika!

I went with a family to Kauai'i Hawaii over the Christmas and New Year's holiday. They had 6 children, 16, 14.5, 12.5, 7, 6.5 and 4 years old! They were such good kids and I thought when Miles is 3 and you are 1 we should take a family vacation! I know that you all will be as good as these children....



When I got home, your mom and dad and Miles sent me these beautiful roses for my birthday! Aren't they beautiful?

The card said, Love, Marina, Matt, Milo & Paprika!!

Your Uncle Clyde said who is Paprika? I had to smile as I knew that was the nickname your mom and dad gave you while they wait to see if you are a girl or boy. They can't seem to agree on names right now so mom just calls you her little Paprika. They called Miles little Mojito before they gave him a name. You have funny parents!

Can't wait til January 11th as that is when we find out if you are a girl or boy! When I was in Kauai'i I saw these cute little dresses for baby girls and thought, "ahhh...I can make her that if it is a girl!" Then I saw the cute Hawaiian shirts and thought, "I got Miles one of those when he was little, wonder if I will be buying another one?"

So, my little Paprika which is a spice that is red and makes food look pretty, can't wait to meet you!

Mimi's Birthday!

During Christmas I went to Kauai'i Hawaii with a family of 6 children! It was an amazing trip and I hope some day to take you and Miles there with us. Papa and I were thinking when Miles is 3 and you are 1, maybe we can do a family vacation. I was there for the first day in 2012. I thought about you and how this year will be so different once you come into the world. As I went through the souvenir shops I saw these darling Hawaiian dresses for baby girls and thought, "ahhh..I will make her one if this one is a girl!" Then I saw the cute Hawaiian shirts like I got Miles last time and wondered if I would have to buy another one for you if you are a boy!

Then when I got home, it was my birthday! I was in airports all day on the day of my birthday so your mom and dad sent me these gorgeous roses after I got home!