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