Sisters

When I got home from work yesterday, Jill shared a story that happened at the house that I thought I would post.

Emmy (now 4.5 months) was crying pretty hard and was not taking her bottle and Abby asked “what wrong Mommy?” Jill replied, “I’m frustrated that Emmy isn’t taking her bottle and I don’t know why she’s crying”. Without saying a word Abby went upstairs and grabbed one of Emmy’s toys, her blanket and a pacifier and came downstairs and said “Here you go Emmy”. Pretty cute. Abby has certainly taken to the role of big sister. Just this morning Abby got mad at me because she wanted to lie beside Emmy in her crib when she woke up and I told her we had to go down and eat breakfast before I left for work.

These are pretty typical events that happen daily as Abby is a GREAT big sister and loves Emmy dearly. It’s really cool to see. I’m posting this because in the not-so-distant future I’m sure they will be mortal enemies and I want a reminder that at one point in their childhood, they were buddies!!

Ahh, The Sound of Silence

Remember back in my March blog I bragged that Emmy was sleeping through the night? Not so much now -- or for the past month or so. We've tried reflux medicine, we've tried rocking her, we've tried feeding her more, we've tried letting her cry it out. But now, as I type, she is blissfully sleeping for her third good nap of the day. At this moment, nothing could make me happier. Sleep little girl!

update -- she just woke! No sooner did I finish typing the above than I heard her on the monitor. AAGH!

Honestly, I jink myself everytime I blog about her sleeping well. From now on, the subject of her sleeping well is banned from this blog.

Happy Birthday Monkey

Dear Monkey,
Your Mom asked if I would write you a letter in honor of your 3rd birthday and I think it’s a fantastic idea! Maybe we can use this blog as a forum each and every year on your birthday to write you a letter. But since this is the first one and three years have slipped by, I’ll start at the beginning.

The morning of your scheduled birth date, your mom and I were very nervous. The first words she said to me when we woke up was “what if this (having a baby) is too much for us?” I said, jokingly “Well, both of our Moms seem excited about it. Tell you what, why don’t we go through with it and if we’re not happy we’ll let them keep the baby.” She smiled at me knowing that wouldn’t be the case. And it wasn’t.

When I picked you up for the first time - everything changed. Everything. How we felt about life, about relationships and love, our needs/wants and the world in general. We were now responsible for your well being and happiness and we gladly accepted the role. What we weren’t prepared for was how happy you would make us! It is hard to imagine without you in our lives. Not a day goes by now that you don’t bring a huge smile to my face.

Below are some milestones and random things/thoughts that have happened over the last three years:

• You were diagnosed with hip dysplasia and underwent a 5 hour surgery at 2 months old (worst day of our lives to date)
• You were in a full body cast for 3 months and actually smiled when Dr. Campion took the cast off (one of the best days of our lives)
• You walked 3 steps on your first birthday EVEN THOUGH you were a few months behind others your age due to the surgery/cast
• Dora the Explorer is pretty big in your life right now and has been for the last year or so
• You and Sammy next door are HUGE buddies and we get such a kick out of watching you guys interact and play

Just this past weekend I pulled in the driveway from a week-long business trip and you were standing on the front porch chewing gum (!) and not wearing a diaper (!!). You said nonchalantly, “Hi Dad.” I swear you aged 5 years in 5 days. Then I tickled your belly and you were back to a 3 year old but it wasn’t lost on me how fast you’re growing up.

You wear a shirt right now that says “My Daddy Can Fix Anything” and I love it when you wear it because right now I feel like I can fix anything (get you juice, fix a toy, mend a scrapped knee, etc.). I’m sure there will be a time that I can’t fix everything in your life. Boys breaking your heart, not making the dance/soccer/cheerleading/tennis or whatever team. But you should know that your Mom and I will always try to fix everything because we love you more than words can express.

Happy 3rd Birthday Kiddo.

Love,
Dad