June 12, 2008

Dear Monkey,

You made your debut today, a little earlier than planned; does that mean you are going to be habitually early in everything you do for the rest of your life? Not a bad quality at all, but dang boy. That hurt!

I’m not going to go into the gory details; you can read your mom’s blog when you’re old enough. Mom had an operation and the first time I saw your face was when you peeked at me over the curtain to say hi. You were not happy; someone had just plucked you out of your warm cozy place that was your home for the last 9 months.

You were born at 7:13 am, weighed 5 lbs 11 ounces, 18 ¾ inches long, 20 days before your due date. I wasn’t prepared for a less than 6 lb baby, we weren’t prepared, and thankfully Ms. Jodie and Miss Nicole got us prepared real quickly.

You met your Dad shortly after you were born and he carried you in the recovery room to meet your big brother. I wasn’t there but your Dad said your brother looked at you in awe. To this day he badgers your Dad and me to hold you and he kisses you good night. He speaks to you lovingly and touches you gently. I’m documenting this behavior because one day I am sure you will never believe me when I have to separate you two and make you hold hands on the couch to keep you from fighting.





Your first night you spent with me and we had a pretty good night. You took to breast feeding like a champ. They even released us early because you did so well. My lil overachiever already…well…you are a Wayne.

You have been with us 11 days and our adventures have included coming home, going from the living room to the bedroom, outside once and a ride to the airport to drop Mema off once.

We’re working really hard to get into a routine; your mom needs this in a big way. I don’t mind the night feedings it is the unknown of how long they will last that is difficult for me. We usually go at it for thirty minutes but it seems you still want more. We started supplementing with formula and the finger feeder. I think I will just be prepared every night to go that route so we can do our business and get back to sleep.

You enjoy resting on your Dad but he has been busy taking care of and occupying big brother of late. This is a humongous help for your mom and it just goes to show what you have to look forward to soon.

Tonight we start sleeping in the bassinet, we’ve done well with naps and mom needs to get ‘quality’ sleep and I really can’t do that with you on my chest. Not that I don’t love it but I sleeping on my chest at 16 may cause the neighbors to talk.

We are incredibly thankful and you seem to be a happy baby…we’re only 11 days in but that is the sense I get from you. I love your baby boy smell and the soft silkiness of your hair and the smoothness of your baby boy skin. We are so blessed to have you and I’m so looking forward to getting to know you and see your little personality emerge as the days go by.

Love,

Mom

Launch - 3 Weeks

Dear Monkey,

We are now inside one month of the birth window and you are about the size of a honeydew melon equivlent to 5 ¼ pounds. I went to visit the doc yesterday and she said you sound great. Right now you are movin around like no one’s business. I know there can’t be a lot of room in there and it seems you take issue when I sit, stand, lie down or breathe.

Next week your dad and I get to take a peek at you. I am really excited, I know you are there because you remind every say…five or so minutes. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Although we won’t officially meet for a few more weeks seeing you on TV is the next best thing.

Your dad and I finished your room this past weekend. I know you won’t be in it for a while but it helps to have it done now so it won’t take time away from getting to know you. I hope you enjoy your room, we have taken care to have aspects of all of us there to keep you feeling safe and secure and to remind you your family is around you at all times.

I had what I believe to be my first dream about you a week or so ago. I’m actually surprised I haven’t had any sooner but I wonder if it because I’ve done this before and I’m not as freaked out as I was when I was carrying your brother. I don’t remember much about the dream but I remember you had BIG…HUGE…GYNORMOUS blue eyes and you were sooo cute.

See, your mom is a big eye person, it is one of the first things I notice about a person. I don’t care what color your eyes are because they will be beautiful regardless…they will be yours. I just can’t wait to squeeze your cheeks!


Love,
Mom

L-5 weeks and four days

Dear Monkey,

Today is the first of many newsletters and as time goes by I will attempt to write about your life, love and whatnots. Life is not a whatnot…but we’ll get into that and you mom and dad's passion for quoting movies another time. You already have one up on your brother as I waited until he was over two years old to start his blog.

Your dad and I found out you would be joining our family in October. We were and still are very excited. Your dad didn’t find out you were a 'he' until Christmas morning, Santa surprised him. As for your brother, we has some 'splainin to do since we originally told him you were a 'she'.

Speaking of your brother, you have an older brother, we call him Bugamug. He will be four when you make your official debut in this world. I can’t wait for you boys to meet and become life long friends. I know he can’t wait to meet you, I can even imagine he has a secret blog chronicling all the things he wants to teach you, good and bad.

A little about me: I’m 36, I work for a NASA contractor and I am a former go-go. I won’t go into detail here but ask your dad someday.

Your dad: He is 43, owns a chocolate empire and he loves music.

Your brother: He is 3 ¾ , and an old soul. He asks how you slept every morning and randomly ask how your day was. He is very loving and you will learn a lot from him. Let’s just stick with the good habits and try to minimize the bad habits.

All the while you’ve been growing in my tummy I must say in the grand scheme of things, it hasn’t been horrible. I was sick for the first four months and the last couple of months I’ve had pretty bad back spasms, I’ve been tired, exhausted and now I just feel fat waddling around and I refuse to waddle!

You seem to really enjoy SUGAR! Anything and everything sugar seems to be the theme of this pregnancy. That is most likely why I feel so exhausted, coming down from all the sugar highs.

That is all for now, as I don't want to overwhelm. I just wanted to introduce you to your immediate family with this first entry and let you know you are much loved and we all can’t wait for you to make your debut. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation in the air and we are praying that you have a safe and healthy arrival.

Oh...you can thank Ms Jodie for your cute blog design.

Love,
Mom