River Flynn,

I’m ill. I don’t have any desire to write this letter to you. You are still 3 months old in my mind and I’m actually physically upset at the number eleven right now. I want you to grow up so that I can meet you and your little personality even more, but sweet boy I just can’t handle the speed. Something about knowing just how fast the time truly goes makes this second time baby thing truly difficult to let go of. You look like a baby in my eyes, smell like one, and I get a little angry when I realize I’m zipping up pajamas onto your precious little self that Shep wore a year later in his life. If you’re ever behind in anything over the next few months, it’s 100% my fault. You are chasing after zippy cups, wanting to play with big boy toys, and trying to walk those thighs away and I’m not having it. I promise to let go a bit more than I have, but I am holding on for dear life for four more weeks until I’m ready so brace yourself kiddo.

You sleep through the night now about 80% of the time. Lately you’ve been trying to get me to come in for snuggles and immediately rest in my arms with your papi and your lovey and listen to me sing the theme song to “Kipper” over and over again until you’re fast asleep. I secretly hate the song, but I also absolutely love the moment that it makes everything even out in the end. It’s been super helpful that you don’t require (or even allow) being rocked to sleep. Even better that you’re still a smuggler despite that fact. It’s definitely not a time in my life that I can leave a curious two year old for 15 minutes alone as I rock you to bed for naps and night time, but these little blips of peaceful rocks on the twin bed in your nursery are my heaven on earth. You catch your breath from the tears that brought me to you and you rest your sweet head on my chest as I sway to that horrid british melody. No offense to the Britons bc let’s face it, American cartoon theme songs make the write of the Kipper theme seem like a poetic genius. Either way, it’s magic and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanks for throwing me a snuggle bone 😉

You are my shadow during the days. I can distract you long enough to run one quick load of laundry or load the dishwasher, but the moment you realize I’m there and you’re here….well, you high tail it – thighs and knees slapping the hardwoods – all the way to me and climb up my legs with zero regard for gravity or the shoes that I’m wearing. If I don’t immediately grab you, you begin to bounce and giggle to let me know you’re there and if that doesn’t work, the whining begins. It’s subtle because you’re nothing if not polite, but it is definitely a noise I could live without, so I cave like always and tote you around on my hip that after two babies makes quite the ledge for your bubble booty.

Your head is still bald, you eat everything in sight, and the whole starfish sleep sack/papi/lovie scenario still rings true. You play peek a boo now and in an adorable way tend to miss your eyes and cover your forehead in the process with those T Rex baby arms and booty dance when music starts which puts the biggest grin on both our faces. Rolling a ball back and forth is your absolute favorite and second to that is a good trampoline jump with Shep. Daddy is still the funniest in your eyes and he gets you giggling the most when we all pile in the bed for wrestling matches or at night when he smacks in your ear before bed. You chunk your bottle when you finish like a heavy weight champ would smash a beer can as if to say “yup, took care of that one” and you REFUSE to sit still for clothing or diaper changes.

All in all you’re amazing and nothing but fun sun up to sun down. You’re my banana eating, booty bouncing, smiley, giggly, chubby ball of delight and I wouldn’t have you any other way. Thank you for showing us a completely different ride at this parenting fun house and for keeping us on our toes. Nothing about you is boring or a repeat of the first time and we love you for it. Now……I’m off to pray that Jesus freezes time to make this a bit easier on me. Don’t judge…..read up on Jericho….it’s happened before. Could happen again.

MommyXx

diaper – 3 or 4

Teeth – 4 all the way with 4 more creeping in

favorite foods – banana, cheerios, graham crackers, nilla wafers, yogurt, ALL things puree, pasta, chicken, CHICK FIL A (don’t judge), and water in a big boy cup.