dear mason,

To my precious baby boy,

Happy 9 months Mason…I look at you and can’t believe we are at this point already. I watch you sleep in my arms and I still see that tiny little baby I held for the first time just short 9 months ago. It’s like no time has passed from that moment when you are sleeping…you look so sweet, so innocent, so peaceful. And then you wake up and you are a completely different baby…on the move, getting into anything and everything you see or can get your hands on. You love to explore and have no fear whatsoever…you are going to keep mommy and daddy on their toes, I just know it. Your teachers can’t take their eyes off of you for one second, because if they do, you are pulling yourself up onto things and then letting go. You have no fear and in a way, I hope that never goes away. That is one thing mommy doesn’t have but you get that from your daddy…he’s a much bigger risk taker and that kind of personality will get you far in life. It will keep us up at night worrying but I hope you always try new things and never give up.

You have recently learned to pull yourself up in your crib and just this morning you were walking around the edge of your crib. Good thing your new shoes are arriving in the mail today. I didn’t think we’d need them this soon! You are pulling drawers out and opening doors…which means we need to get locks on all the cabinets.

You know how to put your hands up when you want to be picked up and held. You are starting to wave goodbye or signing “milk”. We aren’t sure which one quite yet but you are learning so fast, my little peanut. I love when you will crawl over anything to get to me. My favorite time of day is walking into your classroom and seeing your face light up when you see me. And then you will crawl over any toy or baby in your way to get to me. I don’t think there is any obstacle that would stop you. I feel so incredibly loved and needed in those moments, I will cherish those memories forever. You’ve also figured out how to tell if mommy is holding you or not. When daddy goes into calm you down in the middle of the night, you immediately reach for the back of his neck…and when you don’t feel my hair, you scream even louder. And when I’m holding you, you love to play with my hair on my neck…I want you to know it’s comforting to both of us. I love how you do that, I know that is your way of showing how much you love and need me.

While I am so incredibly sad to see your infant days slipping away, I’m also very excited for what is to come and all the adventures that are in store for us. You are such a fun and happy baby and I have a feeling you are going to be such a fun kid to be around. Your personality is really showing through…you love to laugh at everything. You think Shiloh is the funniest thing ever…she will just walk by and you squeal in laughter. As long as you are fed and have a clean diaper on (and have had a few cat naps) you are ready for anything we throw at you.

I never in a million years thought I could love anyone this much…I would move heaven and earth to make sure you feel loved, safe and have everything you need. And I never knew how much I would give up for someone else…and not even think twice. You come first with every decision we make and I just hope that somehow, we raise a man who is kind, respectful of others and makes a positive contribution to the world. It sounds easy, right? But I’m terrified that somehow we’ll screw it up.

In my eyes, you will always be perfect Mason. I love you to the moon and back little man, infinity times infinity.


Love Always,
Mommy

Dear Mason...

My Dearest Mason,

Where have the past 6 months gone? I can’t believe how fast my little boy is growing up. I swear I’m going to blink and we’ll be planning your first birthday party. I look back at pictures from when you were born and you’ve changed so much…yet I still see glimpses of that tiny little baby in you from time to time…like when you’re upset. This was the first face I ever saw of you and I still see it every time you cry.

 

You do look a lot like your mommy but I see your daddy in you all the time. You have his personality for sure. You love the attention and are always smiling or laughing, all the ladies at daycare can’t get over what a ham you are. You love to flirt with them all (we will have our hands full with you for sure!). And you are always looking to get your mommy and daddy’s approval. When you get really excited, you flap your arms and then you stop and look at us to smile or laugh at you. When we do, you do it again and again. Your giggle is starting to come out more and it is my favorite sound in the world. Your daddy can get it out of you pretty easily with his funny faces…mom gets the giggle when she gives you raspberries while getting your diaper changed.

You are getting ready to crawl soon and get frustrated when you can’t do it yet. No worries my love, you will be moving around soon enough. Please give us a little more time to baby proof the house. Your teachers have to prop you up with a boppy so you can watch the other kids crawl/walk around or you scream. I know you want to join them so desperately. You can roll over from tummy to back and back to tummy with little effort now. You can also sit up by yourself for a few minutes when we set you down to sit on the floor.

You love your puppy...and she loves you so very much. At first, she wasn't quite sure what to think of you...she kinda kept her distance the first few weeks while she figured you out. But now she looks for you when I walk in the door after work...and she loves to kiss you. You open your mouth and squeal with delight when you see her, which then prompts mom and dad to tell Shiloh to stop licking...because she always goes for your mouth. Over the past month, you started to reach out to pet her when she comes near you. I see many ear and tail pullings in her future...but I know you two are going to be the best of friends!

You have the best baby rolls. I will be so sad to see them go. I can’t get over your chubby legs, arms, checks, fingers and toes…I just want to kiss and squeeze them all day long.

I love how you always grab one of my fingers when you are nursing…you will even search to find them if I don't have my hands near yours. As much as I hate pumping, I love and cherish our “M&M” time together, it’s something no one else can do for you and it means everything to me. It will be very hard for mommy to let that go…probably the reason we waited so long with food, I wasn’t ready to start weaning you off. I love the final big sigh you do right before you fall asleep when we’re rocking…it’s almost as if you are finally giving up…I have a feeling you are always going to fight sleep, you don’t want to miss a thing!

You have started eating baby food. So far, you love avocados…the verdict is still out on the green peas. You aren’t super crazy about them but I don’t blame you…mommy didn’t eat them much when you were growing in her belly. But we’ll be starting apples, bananas, sweet potatoes, zucchini, pears and squash over the next few weeks…most of which you should have “tasted” before so I hope you like them. I love to make your baby food and it makes me feel good that you are staying away from the preservatives for a while longer yet. I know I can’t feed you homemade pureed food forever but you are just too tiny to be exposed to processed food right now.

You have started to sleep so much better lately…I think we finally figured out the secret. You are a stomach sleeper! Now that you are rolling over, we feel more comfortable putting you down on your stomach in your crib. Although mom and dad still get up to check on you numerous times during the night, we know you are getting much better sleep and we will learn to be more comfortable with you on your tummy and not worry so much.

Mason, I can’t begin to describe the depth of my love for you …there are simply no words that would even do it justice. But one day when you have children of your own, you will understand. You are our world baby boy and we can’t imagine our lives without you. It’s really hard to remember life before you…it feels like a million lifetimes ago and I wouldn't go back for a second. You have brought so much joy, love and completeness to our lives…and you’ve changed us for the better. Thank you for being you Mason, you are perfect. I love every square inch of you, infinity times infinity.

Love Always,
Mommy

dear...

Dear Pumpkin Seed,

Here is the first of many letters I plan to write to you...I hope you come across these someday when you are older and will know how much we love you and how you’ve changed our lives for the better...and that it started well before you even were born...

It’s hard to believe you will be here in just a few weeks...it feels like yesterday, we were finding out you existed and would be blessing our lives with your arrival this fall. This year sure has gone by way too fast!

You have been quite kind to Mommy, she really didn’t have horrible morning sickness like most mommies have. Although she did have a few rough weeks, it could have been so much worse. Your mommy has also craved pizza just about every day...but it just told us that you are definitely your mommy and daddy’s child. She also hasn’t had the heartburn and other typical symptoms other moms have and while she has felt you kick and move for weeks now, you’ve managed to stay away from her organs most of the time...and she thanks you for taking it easy on her so far!

You love to move and kick whenever Daddy talks to you...she knows you two are going to have so much fun once you get here. Your Daddy already has golf clubs ready for you and has been itching to buy you a baseball mitt and fishing pole. Mommy keeps reminding him you are a still few years away from that yet...but he can’t wait to introduce you to all these things. We hope you can enjoy them as much as Daddy does, he has big plans for you buddy! But if you don’t, that’s okay too...Daddy likes many different things and you’ll find something you both love to do together.

We think you might be a football player someday...Daddy has asked you a few times now what sport you want to play when you get older...you react some to baseball, nothing for basketball but you go nuts whenever he says football. You’ll soon find out that football is a big deal in our house...Mommy is a diehard Packer fan, while your Daddy loves their biggest rival, the Vikings. We will try not to make you pick sides...but she's really hoping you bleed green and gold like your Mom! We need more Packer Backers in MN!

You also have a puppy dog that is anxious to meet you. She likes to sniff around your nursery and pull your clothes off the dresser...although she hasn’t quite figured out what all the new stuff is for yet. We know she is going to love you to pieces and protect you. She loves to give kisses and cuddle, so please be gentle with her and try not to pull her tail too much...she will be so patient and loving with you...and we know you two will be the best of friends.

Mommy is sorry she's indulged in diet cokes or made Daddy give raspberries on her tummy while you were fast asleep...Mommy just needed reassurance everything was okay in there. And it never took long after hearing Daddy to get you moving. And she apologizes for not eating as well as she should have while you were growing in her tummy. Mommy did try to eat more vegetables but she just plain despises them and hopes somehow you will still love them when you start eating solid food, they are so good for you!

We have such big hopes and dreams for you buddy. We may not always be able to provide you with everything you want...but we can promise you that you’ll never go without...you will always have a roof over your head, food on the table, and more hugs and kisses than you’ll know what to do with...please know your Mommy and Daddy will move heaven and earth to make sure you have everything you need.

We are very busy now, getting all the last minute things ready for you and we can’t wait to meet you in just a few short weeks! We love you Punkin!

Love, Mommy