Letter :: Harry :: Year Five

Dear Harry,                                                                                         

H A L F   A   D E C A D E ?!?!

How is this even possible? I really cannot wrap my mind around the fact that you’ve been alive for that long. But at the same time, I really don’t remember what it was like before you were part of our lives.

Gosh, this stage is maybe my favorite one yet! (Do I say that in every letter?!)

You are so energetic (from morning until night), but you have the ability to focus and play independently for hours. I am in awe of your imagination and the way that you can take blocks, legos, or any toy really…and create a whole world/scenario that will span galaxies and time. Your favorite characters to pretend lately include: Mario (and all of his friends), Sonic the Hedgehog, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. You got a Nintendo for Christmas and you and Daddy have had some serious bonding time over the many games that he used to play as a little boy. In addition to Mario, Zelda seems to be one of your favorites on there.

You’re excelling in preschool and are already starting to read. You know many site words and have incredible comprehension of what you’re reading. You often make predictions and talk about how characters must be feeling based on the events in the stories we read. Based on my experience teaching first grade, I think you are beyond ready for Kindergarten and will love the learning experiences you will have next year. You also love math and numbers…we often turn everyday life into a math equation/problem (“How many more bites do I have to take?”…perfect opportunity to practice subtraction).

You’re super excited about the bus next year. I’m staying home again and have offered multiple times to drive you to school…but you emphatically remind me that “Mom (heavy sigh), Kindergarteners ride the bus, remember!”.

As hard as it is to let you go off into the big world of Elementary School…I know you’re ready for it. I’m sure next year will teach us both a lot…about time management (getting ready for school is sometimes a struggle in the mornings), problem-solving, developing friendships and being brave. I’m pretty sure I need to learn these things just as much as you do. Thanks Harry for being my greatest teacher.

We sometimes frustrate each other, but we’ve spent a lot of time offering forgiveness to one another this year. I’ve learned the power of humbling myself and admitting my sin (namely impatience and rudeness) and am so thankful for your tender heart and quickness to forgive this mama who doesn’t always get it right (and desperately needs the grace of Jesus on a daily basis).

I love you Harry. You are my firstborn, and the best big brother to Ellis. You are helpful and affectionate. You are creative and sometimes stubborn…but mostly you’re one of the most entertaining and enjoyable people I have ever met. I’m so thankful that I get to spend the hours of my days being your mama!

Love you so much our Big FIVE-year-old boy!!!

Love always,

Your Mama

Letter :: Ellis :: Month Nine

Dear Ellis,                                                                                           

Dear sweet boy, what a month it has been. You celebrated your very first Christmas, had two colds, one ear infection, and got four top teeth (although the fourth one is still making its way down). It has been kind of a miserable month to be honest. Aside from the awe of seeing Christmas through your eyes for the first time…we have been plagued with little sleep and LOTS of snot. I feel so bad to see you struggling so much…and the sleep deprivation has been pretty hard on me too. I am very much looking forward to the next month of your first year, in hopes that it includes more healthy moments than not.

Let’s see…

…aside from sickness and teething, you have been very inquisitive this month. Not in the movement department (still just sitting, rolling, and backwards scooting), but in your observations and need to touch everything. Your index fingers are always out, feeling the texture of the things around you. You love to check out people’s facial features, especially people’s noses. I can’t keep up with your fast-growing nails so we have to watch it because your scratch can be painful.

You don’t seem to realize that it’s an option for you to try to pull yourself up on anything. Most of the time you are more than content to just hang out and sit wherever we put you. But we’ve been standing you up next to things, like the couch or some of your more stable toys. You absolutely LOVE it…but we have to stay close by to keep you from tipping over.

You love music and rock back and forth anytime it’s on. We often resort to dance parties in the kitchen when I’m making dinner. You get a little cranky around that time of night (especially lately with all the sickness you’ve experienced). But some Bruno Mars and your brother, Daddy and I dancing around like maniacs seems to distract and entertain you enough for me to get a meal on the table.

The other night you were giving your daddy high fives. It was precious. It’s also pretty adorable when you grab your snuggle blanket, stick your thumb in your mouth, and lean your head on our shoulders (all with a little grin hiding behind that thumb).

We love you Ellis. More than we have words to say. It’s such a privilege being your mama…even when you wake me up throughout the night to nurse and snuggle. Sometimes I’m so tired I can hardly see straight, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I praise God a lot in those moments when you’re tired and crying and needing my consolation. I find myself so desperate for God’s strength when my arms are tired from standing and rock/bouncing you (the only way you seem to calm down when you’re sick and tired). But in those moments I thank God so much for you. Your life is and always will be one of the greatest gifts that God has ever given me.

Being your mom is my greatest joy. Love you sweet boy! Here’s to a healthier update at 10 months ;)

Love always,

Your Mama

4/52 (2017)

3/52 (2017

2/52 (2017)

1/52 (2017)

I loved capturing my boys each week of 2016 and posting the photos here on the blog...so I'm going to go for it again.

Can't wait to see them grow and change throughout this year!

52/52 (2016)

51/52 (2016)