Dear Erica,
Please read this and know that I in fact DO love you as much as your older sister even though you did not get even an attempt at a baby book documenting your first year, I have not scrapbooked a single page about your life, and I only got your pictures professionally taken once after that initial shoot at the hospital this past year. I know that in the angst of your teen years you will look back on these facts - facts which I do not dispute - and somehow use them against me as proof that your Daddy and I don't love you. Here is proof that it is not true that I can then throw back at you - although if you remain as much like me as I fear, it won't matter anyway.
When your sister, Erin, was born we didn't really know what we were doing. So we did all the things that "people" said were important and looking back were kind of a waste of money in most cases. Your sister, yes, has a baby book but it isn't even filled out all the way. Don't believe me? Go check. Your sister, yes, had her photos taken at Kiddie Kandids like every three months but they are all still sitting in the envelope rotting away since we always bought way too many. I was a photographer for many years, your snapshots ARE professional photos and there are tons of them. Your sister, yes, has pages in a scrapbook with things that happened but it ends at about 9months old when I decided it was a losing battle to learn to love doing it. And you know what? We didn't actually do as many things back then as you are getting to do. You see, both of your parents are older and wiser and have figured out what is important in life. So now, instead of sitting around eating processed food and watching life go by while you smile pretty for the camera and play nearby while I scrapbook, we are doing things as a family like going to the swimming pool, hiking, taking trips to visiting family and see the country. And even better, we are playing with you on the floor because we can. So hopefully you will understand and look back on the memories we are making together as a family and cherish them as much as I do.
And for the record, since there's no baby book, you have 5 teeth, weigh just over 17 lbs and are 29 inches tall. You are in the 3rd percentile for your weight and 50th for your height. You are feisty and opinionated and will scream if you don't get your way. You are walking - and have been for almost two months - although you can crawl much faster so prefer to do that more often. If someone wants you to walk, you won't but if no one is looking you'll walk clear across the room and into the next one. Your favorite toys are ones that spit balls in the air or that you can push the buttons on to make sounds - although your very favorite thing to play with is the remote control to the TV which makes Daddy crazy. You have the cutest laugh and especially like to laugh at your big sister who only has to look at you for you to giggle. Your best friends are Chayse who lives next door and your cousin Harlee. Like most one year old's, you have crappy hair that is still growing in but it is long enough on top to put little pigtails in it so you look like a girl - especially good since you refuse to wear headbands even though you have tons of cute ones. So far the hair you have is straight and thick and I hope it stays that way since I don't wish my crazy curls on anyone especially my darling babies! You are one of the two best things to ever happy to me and Daddy - never forget that!
Love,
Mommy
No comments:
Post a Comment