Mercedes - Happy 2nd Birthday!

Dear Birthday Girl,

Happy Birthday! I can't believe you are two whole years old. Two years ago I was just settling into my hospital room with you, trying to figure out breastfeeding and this whole 'mom' thing - I loved you already of course, but I didn't KNOW you. And now, you feel as important, close, special to me as the air that I breathe. Your father and I love you SO much - it actually physically hurts sometimes!

Anyway - you had a great birthday - lots of presents and a little family party at Bubie and Zaidie's house, complete with a Backyardigans cake and decorations. You are a very happy girl - we are all truly blessed to know you.

Love,

Momma

Alexis - 23 Weeks 1 Day Pregnant

Dear Baby Girl,

Your father and I just got back on the weekend from a week-long trip to Jamaica - WITHOUT your big sister, so you can use that as bragging rights when you are older! You came on vacation with us and we left Mercedes with Bubie and Zaidie! The we landed (so I was 21 weeks and 4 days) we actually felt you on the outside for the first real, noticeable time! Daddy felt you also and we were both so excited. It seemed like the perfect way to start off our trip. And I have not stopped feeling you since. You are one busy (and strong!) little girl. If you are this busy on the outside, we are in BIG trouble!

Love,

Momma

Mercedes - 23.5 Months Old

Dear Ceecee,

It's so hard to believe your 2nd birthday is just around the corner. I remember you in my belly, you being born, you turning one... like it was yesterday! I am so excited to watch you continue to grow and learn. It's so much fun being witness to all of your wonderfulness! Last week, Daddy and I went on our first real vacation since before you were born - to Jamaica - for a week while you stayed with Bubie and Zaidie. We were nervous about leaving you for so long and of course, we missed you terribly (I recall watching videos of you Auntie Kimmy had saved on her phone and crying) but it was a fun vacation and you had a blast with your grandparents! Apparently you were a 'delight' and they started missing you the second we picked you up. You are a lucky little girl to have so many people in your life who love you so much!

Love,

Mommy

Alexis - 21 Weeks 3 Days Pregnant

Dear Bean,

It's hard to believe that this pregnancy is already more than halfway over! Time seems to be flying by - probably in part because your big sister does such a good job of keeping us on our toes! Every time I sit down though, I get a very clear reminder of just how present you really are. Some days it seems like you are on the go NON-STOP. As soon as I open my eyes in the morning, there you are, kicking away! I love feeling that special connection, that only you and I will ever have. What a truly awesome thing.

Love,

Mommy

Mercedes - 23 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

Tomorrow your Daddy and I are going on vacation for a week (to Jamaica). You will be staying with Bubie and Zaidie and its the very first time you'll have been there for longer than a day or two, and the very first time we'll be SO far away from you. We are very much looking forward to our trip and we know that you will be in wonderful hands (spoiled rotten no doubt!!) but I still feel a little panicky at the thought of what lies ahead. Not least of all because we are going to miss you so very much! It's hard being away from you for one night - it's difficult to picture 7! I am already anticipating our reunion and we haven't even left yet! Here's hoping you don't punish us too much upon our return!

Love you always,

Momma

Mercedes - 23 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

Guess what?!? You are going to have a SISTER! You may not realize now how exciting this is, but your father and I are thrilled! We not-so-secretly hoped for another girl - we love you so much that we relished the idea of another princess to spoil. Plus, my sister is so wonderful and I have such a special bond with her - I really wanted to be able to give you the same gift. I hope that you grow up to be the best of friends! You have no idea what's really about to happen to you, but you love talking about your "baby sisser" that lives in "mommy's tummy" and giving her kisses through my belly button. I can't wait to see you two in action together!

Love,

Mommy

Alexis - 19 Weeks Pregnant

Dear Bean,

I had an ultrasound this morning, and aside from telling me that you are completely healthy and absolutely perfect, they also told us that you are a GIRL!
We are so thrilled! Not that we wouldn't have been happy either way of course, but your father and I were both not-so-secretly hoping for another girl! Mercedes is just so much fun, that we both loved the idea of another beautiful princess to spoil. And of course, I have a truly wonderful sister, and a very special relationship with her, and I'd love for you and your sister to experience the same thing. Plus, we have a LOT of pink clothes already!

Love,

Momma