Letters to my babies!
I have been working on letters to Berkeley and Oliver since their baby books each have a page titled "A Letter from Mommy." The reason I didn't have Berkeley's done before I gave birth to her is because quite frankly, I had no idea what it meant to be a mom and didn't want to write something just for the heck of it. I wanted it to be meaningful and special, so hers was written after she was born, whereas Oliver's was written while he is still cooking! I'm not sure which way I like best...I kind of like the fact that I get to share with Berkeley how we got to know her and see her personality unfold. On the other hand I like being able to share with Oliver everything I'm feeling while I am pregnant with him. Anyway, here they are. I thought I'd share them with you since I'm lame and haven't taken any pictures lately :)
Letter to Berkeley
June 14, 2007
Dear Berkeley, my precious baby girl,
You came into the world on November 2, 2005 and I must say you were the tiniest baby I had ever seen. Your skin was even baggy on you, just like a puppy! Daddy and I both agreed, you were the tiniest little pink bundle of perfection we had ever laid eyes on. We called you our “little bird” because when you slept your mouth was always wide open and you truly looked like a tiny baby bird waiting to be fed!
You may have only weighed 5 lbs 13 oz, but you already have such a huge personality! You know exactly what you want and are not afraid to let everyone know when there is a problem that needs fixing!! You are a firecracker wrapped up in a tiny package. The first few months were rather difficult since you were extremely colicky. As a first time mom I was very frustrated much of the time and felt completely inadequate. I was convinced you didn’t like me, but the first time you smiled at me (really smiled, not gas related), I cried. Looking back on those difficult months I feel so badly. I think you were in a lot of pain and hurting most of the time. I wish there was something I could have done to have made your first few months in the world more comfortable and peaceful.
I love it that you have so much spunk. You are going to be such a leader among your peers. We have already seen a bit of a strong will and stubbornness in you, but used positively, those traits can be very good. I want you to know I will love and support you in whatever you choose to do in life. You can be a doctor, a lawyer, a pilot, a teacher or a dog walker and I will support you. You can do whatever you want to. Do what makes you happy. The possibilities are endless.
I love rocking you. When I do I feel like I am holding a little piece of heaven in my arms. I look at your little hands and feet. I count your toes over and over. I stare at your perfect little pink rose bud mouth. Just look at you. How is it that I got so lucky? I got the perfect one.
June 14, 2007
Dear Berkeley, my precious baby girl,
You came into the world on November 2, 2005 and I must say you were the tiniest baby I had ever seen. Your skin was even baggy on you, just like a puppy! Daddy and I both agreed, you were the tiniest little pink bundle of perfection we had ever laid eyes on. We called you our “little bird” because when you slept your mouth was always wide open and you truly looked like a tiny baby bird waiting to be fed!
You may have only weighed 5 lbs 13 oz, but you already have such a huge personality! You know exactly what you want and are not afraid to let everyone know when there is a problem that needs fixing!! You are a firecracker wrapped up in a tiny package. The first few months were rather difficult since you were extremely colicky. As a first time mom I was very frustrated much of the time and felt completely inadequate. I was convinced you didn’t like me, but the first time you smiled at me (really smiled, not gas related), I cried. Looking back on those difficult months I feel so badly. I think you were in a lot of pain and hurting most of the time. I wish there was something I could have done to have made your first few months in the world more comfortable and peaceful.
I love it that you have so much spunk. You are going to be such a leader among your peers. We have already seen a bit of a strong will and stubbornness in you, but used positively, those traits can be very good. I want you to know I will love and support you in whatever you choose to do in life. You can be a doctor, a lawyer, a pilot, a teacher or a dog walker and I will support you. You can do whatever you want to. Do what makes you happy. The possibilities are endless.
I love rocking you. When I do I feel like I am holding a little piece of heaven in my arms. I look at your little hands and feet. I count your toes over and over. I stare at your perfect little pink rose bud mouth. Just look at you. How is it that I got so lucky? I got the perfect one.
I love sneaking into your room and watching my little peanut sleep. It is one of my very favorite things to do. I love to see your little heart shaped bottom rising in the air. I love to watch your little tummy rise and fall. Anyone peeking in at me would think I was in love. I am. My whole world is right here, in this room. If I never had another thing, I would have everything. I must be delirious with delight. As I watch you sleep I think to myself, “Isn’t it lucky that I have a little girl, with the biggest and most beautiful blue eyes, the brightest smile, the cutest little button nose, and a baby smell I just love.” I have to stop myself from waking you up. Sometimes I catch myself whispering, “Wake up beautiful, I love you even more today than I did yesterday.”There’s not an inch of you that doesn’t make my heart leap. Your smile lights up a room. It is brighter than all the stars in the universe. It is impossible not to smile when you smile, not to laugh when you laugh. Your laugh is infectious. It is the most joyful noise my ears have ever heard.
You are growing up before my very eyes, and it is such a glorious thing to watch. I savor each moment. I love watching you grow, but at the same time it saddens me to see the time fly by so quickly. There is something so precious about watching my child, day after day after day. I want to hold on to every moment, every smile, every single hug and kiss. Someday my “little bird” will leave the nest and it will be so hard to let you go. You are such a treasure. Until you have your own babies, you will never know how much I love you. I hope when you grow up that everything you want comes your way, but especially love. More love than you could ever imagine.
I love you,
Mommy
Letter to Oliver
June 8, 2007
Dear Oliver, my sweet baby boy,
I wanted to write you a little love letter while you are still growing inside me. On January 17, 2007 I took a pregnancy test which turned out to be positive. We were ecstatic! We wanted to give Berkeley a little play mate and were thrilled to discover that God had, once again, blessed us with another baby to love.
I was positive I was having another baby girl because this pregnancy was just as easy and enjoyable as my first, but on March 30, 2007 we found out you were a boy!!! You can’t imagine our surprise and elation! We’ve had your name picked out for years. Since junior high I have wanted a little boy named Oliver and I am finally going to have one! I even made daddy agree to that name before we were married and he loves it too.
This pregnancy too, has been a breeze and it makes me wonder, what will your personality be like? Will you be quiet and shy or boisterous and outgoing?
Will you be mild and laid back or will you have an insatiable curiosity and be a mischievous little one? One thing I’m almost sure of…you’ll probably be an athlete like daddy because as soon as it’s time for me to go to bed you come alive and decide to do some cardio. It always makes me smile though. It’s comforting to know you’re doing well in there and having a good time! I can honestly say it is an honor, a privilege to carry you in my womb for these 9 months. To feel your little kicks and movements fills me with joy and wonder. I love sharing my body with you and feeling the flurry of activity in my tummy.
Oh my dear, darling little boy, I am so ready to meet you. Time drags by. Patience eludes me. I wonder, will you look like me or daddy? Will you have my long fingers and toes or his dimples? I can’t wait to nuzzle your soft cheek next to mine. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms. To rock you, to feel your tiny little heartbeat against mine. To smell your brand new baby smell.
I can’t wait for you to join our family. I can’t wait for you to meet your big sister. She is still a bit young to understand what is going on, but whenever I tell her I am growing her a little brother to play with, she pats my tummy and kisses it. She will love you so very much and you will adore her. She will smother you with kisses and I pray you never tire of it.
Someday you will have a family of your own and you will treasure your children as much as we treasure you. You will be the head of your house, someone’s daddy, and it is a very important role. I want to share with you the story of the five balls, which has become a very significant lesson for me since starting a family of my own. Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you’re keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls – family, health, friends, integrity – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.
Yesterday I had an ultrasound and we saw you yawn and blink your eyes! It was the sweetest little yawn I have ever seen! The doctor said you must be very advanced and gifted since babies don’t usually open their eyes in the womb this early. I would have to agree. You are one special boy and I get to love you! Imagine that!! I anxiously await your arrival. You will be loved immeasurably my darling baby. The blessing that awaits me is breathtaking.
I love you,
Mommy
June 8, 2007
Dear Oliver, my sweet baby boy,
I wanted to write you a little love letter while you are still growing inside me. On January 17, 2007 I took a pregnancy test which turned out to be positive. We were ecstatic! We wanted to give Berkeley a little play mate and were thrilled to discover that God had, once again, blessed us with another baby to love.
I was positive I was having another baby girl because this pregnancy was just as easy and enjoyable as my first, but on March 30, 2007 we found out you were a boy!!! You can’t imagine our surprise and elation! We’ve had your name picked out for years. Since junior high I have wanted a little boy named Oliver and I am finally going to have one! I even made daddy agree to that name before we were married and he loves it too.
This pregnancy too, has been a breeze and it makes me wonder, what will your personality be like? Will you be quiet and shy or boisterous and outgoing?
Will you be mild and laid back or will you have an insatiable curiosity and be a mischievous little one? One thing I’m almost sure of…you’ll probably be an athlete like daddy because as soon as it’s time for me to go to bed you come alive and decide to do some cardio. It always makes me smile though. It’s comforting to know you’re doing well in there and having a good time! I can honestly say it is an honor, a privilege to carry you in my womb for these 9 months. To feel your little kicks and movements fills me with joy and wonder. I love sharing my body with you and feeling the flurry of activity in my tummy.
Oh my dear, darling little boy, I am so ready to meet you. Time drags by. Patience eludes me. I wonder, will you look like me or daddy? Will you have my long fingers and toes or his dimples? I can’t wait to nuzzle your soft cheek next to mine. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms. To rock you, to feel your tiny little heartbeat against mine. To smell your brand new baby smell.
I can’t wait for you to join our family. I can’t wait for you to meet your big sister. She is still a bit young to understand what is going on, but whenever I tell her I am growing her a little brother to play with, she pats my tummy and kisses it. She will love you so very much and you will adore her. She will smother you with kisses and I pray you never tire of it.
Someday you will have a family of your own and you will treasure your children as much as we treasure you. You will be the head of your house, someone’s daddy, and it is a very important role. I want to share with you the story of the five balls, which has become a very significant lesson for me since starting a family of my own. Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you’re keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls – family, health, friends, integrity – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.
Yesterday I had an ultrasound and we saw you yawn and blink your eyes! It was the sweetest little yawn I have ever seen! The doctor said you must be very advanced and gifted since babies don’t usually open their eyes in the womb this early. I would have to agree. You are one special boy and I get to love you! Imagine that!! I anxiously await your arrival. You will be loved immeasurably my darling baby. The blessing that awaits me is breathtaking.
I love you,
Mommy
posted by Sweet Pea Potts at 1:14 PM
7 Comments:
Lis, you are an AMAZING mother. I can only hope that one day when I finally have children that I am half the mother you are! You are so patient and kind not to mention funny! I'm so glad that I know you! Berkeley and Oliver have truly been blessed! Berkeley is such an amazing little girl like her mommy! I'm so glad to know her and I can't wait to meet little Oliver!
Beautiful letters and precious tributes to your babies! :)
I think every mother can relate (hopefully!!) to those letters. There is truly nothing like having little ones. One simply cannot understand how deep and how strong they are capable of loving until they hold that new baby in their arms. Nothing prepares you for it. It truly is the greatest gift.
Thanks girls! Amanda you are very kind to say that, but you probably give me too much credit! Yesterday I wasn't feeling very patient and kind...I was feeling very snappy, frustrated and irritable! Berk is at the age where she wants to go, go, go, and being 28 weeks pregnant, all I want to do is sit, sit, sit on my larger than life rear end! Anyway, I don't get 5 stars in the patient category this week! Maybe next week I'll do better :)
How precious!
Lisa,
You express the heart of a mother so beautifully. Berk and Oliver are very lucky little ones. I understand you when you say Berk is growing up to fast as much as you see it happening. Everytime I look at Quentin I remind myslef to slow down and enjoy every little moment.
Lisa - Those are very sweet letters.
Those are such sweet letters! I cannot wait to be a Mom. You absolutely feel the love that you have for them. I cant wait to meet Oliver! You are going to be a great Mom of 2!
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