Happy Double One’s Mr C!

Dear Mr. C;

You joined us 11 years ago yesterday. I would have posted this on your actual birthday but I was too busy watching you frantically texting everyone you know on your new cell phone. God help me.

How did you grow up so fast?

I remember they day I figured out I was pregnant with you. I felt sort of strange and so I did some investigating. I have to tell you, your Aunt Traci knew you were on the way before your Dad did because I just could not believe how lucky I was and needed her to tell me I wasn’t crazy. Five pregnancy tests later and one trip to the doctor all within one day and I had my answer….I was going to be a Mommy.

When I came home that night, I remember exactly where your Daddy was standing. He was pulling something out of the oven and all I could think to say was “Mr. Man Lassos Stork!” because you were going to join us at Christmas and “It’s a Wonderful Life” is my very favorite movie of all time. Your Dad stood there in shock for just a minute and then gave me the very biggest hug I think I have ever gotten in my entire life. I had never to that point seen him so happy. We hugged and laughed and I probably cried a lot because that’s what I do, and we started to plan a life for you, even though you were months away from making an appearance.

And then you joined us on December 15th. I’ll never forget the look on your Dads face when he saw you and when he held you for the first time. I’ll really never forget the first time I held you. I knew for certain that my life would never be the same and that you made my life complete after having it shattered so many years before. You were my first real biological link to this world after not having any for so very long…and that my life would never be the same, but in a good way.

Not suprisingly, I have a million memories of every moment of your life.

One of my favorite memories is this….a picture taken the moment you burst into laughter for the very first time and simultaneously shot the binky out of your mouth. We played that little game for many more months before you got bored with it.

I remember you being my funny valentine, all snuggly and smelling of baby powder. You drooled a little but you were a great date.

Though we very rarely saw you in this state, this is what you looked like when you slept…

You were good at a lot of things, but not driving that first year, the hydrangeas took a terrible beating.

To get even with you, sometimes we dressed you up like Bing Crosby…you didn’t seem to mind.

I remember when we taught you to eat corn on the cob on your first birthday…

…and we celebrated with your Grandma and Grandpa.

And ten years later, we found ourselves in the same place, at the same table with the same people (plus one) to celebrate your birthday again. Aren’t we so lucky to all be together?

You are now 11 and I want you to know, I enjoy nothing more than talking to you and hearing your stories. I love the sense of wonder you have about the world and your sense of justice and righteous indignation when you perceive a wrong. I love looking at you when you read with your brows all furrowed and I love watching you sleep when you still look like the little boy I used to tuck in at night minus the chubby cheeks.

This is your last year in elementary school, I’m going to miss you yelling, “Mommmmmy!!!!” every time you see me and doing your adorable little run and hug move at me. I probably won’t be nearly as cool next year when you get into middle school And certainly not as cool in high school.

When you were little, you wanted to marry me. Now, you will never want to marry me again.

But that’s okay, because I am content to know you for the rest of my life and marvel at what a magnificent, brilliant, caring and funny little man that your Dad and I brought into this world.

Mr. C, you are the most awesome boy in the entire world and I love you more every single day.

You amaze me.

Love,
Mommy