My Dearest Ryder

My Dearest Ryder,

What a day it has been.  I just want to take a moment to share with you how incredibly awesome you are and how blessed I am for you having chosen me as your mommy.

The morning started out rough, I know.  No one likes to be poked by the 'evil' nurse (she's actually a real nice girl), let alone twice.  It seems very contradictory and it will be a while before you really get this, but those vaccinations...(I know this sounds sadistic) were because I love you.  No, it wasn't my intention of showing you my love by having you poked, but I am trying to keep you from getting sick.  I'd prefer a healthy happy Ryder, you know.

When we came home, we had some delicious sweet potato.  Oh, how you devoured half of that jar.  We're still only on day 2 of the sweet potato, so I didn't want to give you more than half a jar.  You practically ate the spoon!  I hope that this passion for food will remain with you your entire life, Sweetheart.  Mommy loves to cook and there is nothing better than cooking for boys who love to eat.

Then there was the nap.  It really didn't take you long at all to fall asleep and what a beautiful nap you had.  From 1-4pm.  Your brother woke up around 3, at which point he and I decided to bake cookies together.  When you're a bit older, we'll all bake cookies together.  I am sure you will absolutely love them.  (And if you don't then that's okay as well, as that means, more for Kai, papa and me.)

On our stroll around the neighborhood you were a delight.  Looking around in amazement at all the exciting things going on around you: tree trunks, squirrels running up and down them, leaves moving around on their branches in the wind, a neighbor cooing at you in amazement (because you're such a big boy), your brother running around your stroller pushing his 'auto', dogs barking from behind fences (which really didn't disturb you by the way) and cars passing.  You soaked it all in.

When we came home and mommy started cooking, you hung (literally) with papa in the Baby Bjorn.  Watching Kai run around without a diaper (he has a bit of a rash) was exciting and seeing Buster climb the slide was reason for giggles.

When mama, papa and Kai were having dinner you had enough and decided it was time for some 'splash splash' (bath time).  I understand.  Mommy was running a bit behind.  Enough reason for some complaining.  'Splash splash time' was fun as always: kicking and splashing water everywhere, oh how fun that is!  Mommy's pony tail is the object of fascination and lots of laughs, especially when it tickles you, right after the bath, when you're all toweled off and in your diaper.  You get so excited.  Enough reason for mommy to hold on to her long hair for now.  Ah, and then the massage...the bedtime lotion smells so nice and there is hardly anything else that relaxes you more than a leg and foot massage.  (Can't blame you!  I'm right there with you buddy.)

And then there was MILK.  Glorious MILK!!  Ah, the perfect ending to a perfect day.  You devoured a 'standard' 10 oz. (I honestly do not understand where you put it My Love), after which you fell asleep in my arms.  It's been a while since that happened.  For the past few weeks you squirm so much that I put you down in bed wide awake, after which you fall asleep by yourself (easily, I must say).  Well done on learning that so quickly lovey!  You mastered that in just a few days!!!  I'm proud of you.  However, tonight was different.  I think you were so exhausted from today that you just fell asleep before the thought of squirming popped up into your head.  It was lovely.

I maneuvered you in a way that your head rested on my chest.  You fit in a way that allowed me to wrap you up in my arms and have you be comfortable up against me.  As I realized what a precious moment it was, I had a hard time keeping the tears that rolled down my cheeks, from falling on your sweet, peach-fuzz covered head.  I could have stayed in that rocker with you sleeping and grunting on my chest for the entire night, but...tonight is my date night with papa, so I figured I shouldn't spend it the entire night in the nursery.  By the way, your grunting is so adorable.  I hope to some time catch it on video.

My Dearest Ryder.  I love you more than words can describe.  I cannot tell you how blessed I am to have you in my life.  To be your mommy.  To teach you, to guide you and to love you.

Thank you for picking me as your mommy.

With all my love,

Mommy