A Letter To Rhys: 2 Months Old

Dear Rhys,

This is a special letter to highlight some of the things I want to make sure I remember, as I'm learning quickly that this time with you is fleeting, and before I know it you'll go away to college, meet a nice girl, and never call.

You started smiling (the real 'social' smile that the books talk about) at 6 weeks. This, I'm told is quite early. Your dad & I believe you are very advanced for your age. Your Nana Cronin believes you are a 'Happy Soul'. People who come to visit you might not agree since you squirm & fuss sometimes when others are around. But your dad and I fuss & squirm when others are around too, so you come by it honestly.

Some of the nicknames we call you are:

Buster Brown, Baba Smooch, Baba, Dr.Jekyl, Mr. Hyde, The Hulk (you won't like him when he's angry...) and The Beast (when you wake up...The Beast Awakes!). Most of these names are in jest, because you are truly a very good baby.

When you have massive spit-up episode, your dad & I holler out "It's a massacre!".

Things I adore about your babyness:

1) Your soft fluffy hair after bath time.

2) The way you look in sleepers or 'Jimjams'.

3) Your baby-cellulite.

4) Your sweet little 'O' mouth.

5) Your chubby-cheek profile when you are nursing (and when you look up at me and smile when you are nursing - Yowsa, that's a doozy!!!).

6) The impossibly soft skin on the bottom of your feet.

Some milestones that we've noticed:

1) The smiling thing.

2) The strength you continue gain in your neck (your were born very strong & squirmy!)

3) You are just starting to attempt to control your arms & hands. You have managed to hit toys that dangle nearby with a focus that makes it seem somewhat intentional.

4) You have discovered your fists and enjoy sucking on them from time to time. We anxiously await the moment you discover your fingers!

5)You have outgrown the 'Double Swaddle' that we perfected. You have graduated to the Miracle Blanket for night time, and the Sleep Sack for daytime. You kicked your feet out of the Miracle Blanket last night, so you may soon graduate to the giant muslin blanket...

6) September 11 was your first night in your own room in the crib. You have officially graduated from the bassinet beside our bed at 8 weeks and 3 days old. Your dad & I both had a deeper sleep (we know this because we both had dreams for the first time in months). Your little night time grunts were no longer waking us all the time.

7) We've eaten out at East Side Mario's 4 times with you, 2 of those times were with other people. You were a Rockstar every single time.

9) The longest you have slept at night, without interruption, so far is 9 and a half hours.

One thing that is completely unique to YOU:

1) The 'Rhys-Hawk' hairdo. Business in the front, party in the back.

You & Papa on your 2-month anniversary:

Love you lots,
xoxx Mom