love letter

(the official one month pic)

Dear August, you turned one month old today (letter written last week). I almost can't believe that much time has passed until I try to think of life without you, then it seems like you should be years old. Since your arrival, Christmas has come and gone, as well as the celebration of a new year - both events are, honestly, kind of a blur from sleep deprivation. Your Grammy, Meme, and Papa have all been to visit you twice as have many other family members and friends wanting to welcome you to this world. If you only knew how many people love you already.

We have spent most of this last month getting to know you. Even though you are our second child, so much is brand new. Thanks for bearing with your father and I as we learned to care for an umbilical cord, change boy diapers, and adjust to waking up several times a night for a hungry baby. You hate to be set down - even though there is an entire industry of products developed just for that purpose - swing shming, you say, only warm arms will do. You shake your head back and forth like a mad man when you're hungry and if given a pacifier instead you grunt like you might eat the end off. Hence one of your first nicknames - Barracuda. You are quite open with your opinions and will scream at the top of your lungs if you feel you are not being heard. You have been called both a spirited and passionate baby.

Perhaps the best part of this month has been watching you and Eden together. From the very first moment she set eyes on you she was smitten and she has never once complained that you weren't a girl or that we didn't name you Bruce - after the shark on Nemo (your welcome, by the way). Our room used to be the first place she would head in the morning, now it's yours. When you cry, she is quick to give you a kiss. When your pacifier comes out, she is ready to put it back in. Her favorite things are holding you on the couch, laying next to you on the bed, sharing her bath and singing you songs. Best of all, your cries of passion don't phase her one bit. Lucky, lucky boy.

I think about this family you have entered and I am so excited to see how your presence will shape us. Will you be an energetic force or quiet and content? (I'm thinking energetic..) You have already made quite an impact, I can only imagine what you have in store for us. One thing is for sure, we are so happy you and your spirit came to join us.

P.S. Although your sister may be an old hat when it comes to hospital visits, they still trouble your parents like no other. Let's be clear - your first trip to the emergency room was no fun. Please try to keep those to a minimum.

"A baby makes us weak in the knees, strong in the lungs and glad about everything that led up to this moment."

--Unknown