Logan - 6 months

Dear Logan,

My sweet baby boy - I am sorry I haven't written any letters to you before now. The fact is, Mama was scared I wouldn't really ever get to hold you in my arms after we had two losses before you. My pregnancy was tougher this time than with your sister - I was sick to my stomach a lot and had lots of aches and pains. And well, life has been pretty busy since you came along. I promise to write out your birth story for you though. I want to make sure we both remember how you came into the world.

You have been in our lives for six months now, and I finally understand all of those parents who say it feels like you've always been a part of our family. It was a little hard to adjust to being a family of four, and we are still learning how to best manage it. But you are so very loved by everyone. Your big sister makes sure she gives you a kiss and tells you, "I love you, Logan!" before bed and when she leaves in the morning for school. And you are fascinated with watching her. I know it won't always be smooth sailing because it never is with siblings, but I hope you two always have a special bond.

Speaking of special bonds, you really love your mama. So much that you have been sleeping in bed with me every night since you were born. I know we need to break that habit at some point, but I also am trying to soak up all of your snuggles and little-ness because I feel like you have already grown so much. When I'm not laying with you, you snuggle up to and grab the nearest thing you can find. You have had mama's milk every day since you were born - sometimes we have to add some formula in when you are at the babysitter's or mama is out of town - but I love seeing the contentment on your face when I feed you, and knowing that I can comfort you. Your little hands usually clench my shirt as tight as they can when you're nursing. You started out as a binky boy, and then gave it up, but you are back to wanting one again.

At six months, you are on the move. You first rolled back to belly a week before you turned four months, and a week or two later you rolled belly to back. You scoot all around, and you are constantly kicking. I have no doubt you will be crawling soon, and then we'll be in trouble! You already manage to move yourself around a room pretty well! Like your sister, you aren't big on sleep. You wake mama up a few times a night and your naps are usually less than an hour. On Thanksgiving you had your first food - some sweet potatoes - and you've loved them each time you've had them since. You grab the spoon and squeal for more!

You had your first real illness a couple of weeks ago - a nasty cough and ear infection. You stayed pretty happy throughout it though. You are generally such a happy boy. You love to "talk" and smile and laugh when you're tickled, which shows your cute little dimple on your right cheek. You chew on everything and drool like crazy, so I'm wondering if you will have teeth soon.

We will be celebrating your first Christmas soon. It's always a busy time for us, but it's also so magical sharing it with our children. I love you so much, Logi bear. I can't wait to continue watching you grow and learn.

Love always,
Mama

Amelia - Five

Dear Amelia,

It's hard to believe you are five. A whole hand. Because of your late August birthday, you won't go to kindergarten until next year. I am sure you could be ready this year - you write your name, Mommy, Daddy, and Bella without help. You can write almost all of your letters unassisted and are starting to make connections between letters and sounds. You continue to make amazing artwork for us, and coloring or drawing are some of your favorite things to do. You also love playing with Barbies and princess dolls.

I think the thing that has amazed me so much about you this year is your determination. When you want to learn something, you work and practice until you get it. We didn't do gymnastics this summer and yet your cartwheels have gotten a lot better because you do them constantly. One night a month or so ago you asked me how to snap your fingers. You watched me do it, tried, and then asked me to do it one more time while you watched intently. You were snapping your fingers within 24 hours. You've done amazingly well in swim lessons (you can now swim short distances unassisted). I hope that determination serves you well throughout life.

While you are still shy around people you don't know, you are so fearless in other ways. You climb everything and you've mastered the monkey bars. Unfortunately that led to a fall off your new swing set a couple of weeks ago - the result was a fractured elbow. You picked a bright yellow cast and didn't want anyone to sign it. Fortunately you're getting the cast off the day before your birthday party - a Tangled theme this year.

You can certainly be stubborn, but you are also still so sweet and loving. You love to give hugs and snuggle, and you love all of your cousins and are wonderful with Ian. He loves playing with you! All in all you are a very good natured kid, and you make us smile and laugh daily.

Today is a perfect sunny day, cool enough to have the doors and windows open - just like the day you were born. Happy 5th birthday, sweetheart. Here's to another great year!

Love always,
Mommy

On the night you were born...

Dear Amelia,

Yes, I know I just wrote you a letter a few days ago. But this week the hospital where you were born is being demolished. You were born in August, just months before our new hospital opened in November. Seeing the pictures and videos of the place where you were brought into this world being torn down is making me a little emotional. I know, silly Mom - it's just a building. But that building is where my life began - literally, and my life as your mommy.

I wanted to tell you about the time we spent there. Before you were born, Daddy and I went to CPR and childbirth classes at the hospital. I knew my way around the labor and delivery area because your cousins Bella and Zoey were born there not long before you were. During one of our childbirth classes, a huge summer storm hit and we heard them announce a "Code Black" over the PA system. Scary stuff! We were evacuated into the waiting room of labor and delivery to wait for the storm to pass.

The next time we would set foot in that hospital was the night you were born. Mommy had been in labor at home all day, and finally around 10pm we headed to the hospital. Because it was after hours, we knew we had to register in the emergency room. I remember sitting with Daddy as the woman took all of our information, and having to pause when a contraction hit. Your Grammy and Grandpa met us there, and we went up to labor and delivery shortly after. I was first put into a triage room so they could decide if you were really on your way. I was nervous, but we found out we would be staying that night to welcome you into the world.

We were set up in our room, and I'll spare you the details until you want to know them, but four hours after we left our house, you arrived. At the time there were no separate delivery rooms so we stayed put the whole time. Because we had arrived so late in the evening, we spent two nights there instead of one. The nurses took great care of us, and that room became a safe home for the few days we were there. When it was time to leave, I was scared of being on our own. But off we went, back out into the "real world," to begin our life as a family.

So yes, it may just be a building, but it was a building full of memories for me and for so many people we know and love. It makes me sad to think that I won't be able to drive by the hospital one day and show you where you were born, but I wanted to share these memories with you so you could have the most important part of that building for yourself.

Love always,
Mommy