Letters

Dear Sammy,
You've been so brave these last few weeks. I'm surprised at how well you've adjusted and adapted so quickly to your "boots"--and I love how you call them your boots too!

I can only imagine how frustrating it is for you to have to depend on someone else for the basic things you used to be able to do for yourself--getting in and out of bed, going to the bathroom, sitting down to eat, etc. You have such a strong will to do things yourself, that I sometimes have to tell you to let someone else do it for you so you don't hurt your legs and they can heal. But I love your determination!

I am sorry that you've had to endure so much pain, and hope that when you are older you can understand why. I know you've been so frustrated at times to the point of screaming and throwing things--and I get it, believe me, I am the same way. I'm sorry I haven't been patient every time you've just wanted to get out your feelings. Even though the whining is seriously going to DRIVE ME INSANE.

I love to watch you methodically line up all your cars on the coffee table and then tell me to come see your "traffic jam" and then move them a little bit forward one by one. You are truly an LA native.

I love to see how much you adore your baby sister and are always trying to make her smile and laugh. I love how you try so hard to tolerate Hannah getting into all your stuff and messing it all up--I can literally see you building patience at times.

You are such a sweet boy--always wanting hugs and kisses and giving them as well. I'm sorry that I don't always have time to just sit on the couch and cuddle you like you want, please know that I so want to--I just can't always do it right then.

I love how excited you are for school, how you love to learn and are so eager to learn how to read. You are so good at making new friends and make an effort to include everyone in your circle of friends.

I am so proud of you and love you more than you will ever know.
Love, Mommy

Dear Hannah,
You have been so patient (as patient as an almost-3-year-old can be) these past few weeks. I know it was hard to be without Mom and Dad for a few days and then still not get all the attention you needed/wanted when we were back home.

You are such a sweet, funny, goofy girl with the emotions of a teenager (already), so I have to constantly remind myself that you are only 2 and I can't expect you to fully understand and act rational at times.

You love everyone and everything with enthusiasm. You give the biggest hugs and hold on so tightly like you'll never let go. You love your little sister and try to make her giggle...sometimes you're a little overzealous with her, but that's just the way you are.

You love your big brother so much and it's so sweet and heartwarming to see how concerned you've been for him these past few weeks. You've been so quick to offer to help him and tell us when he needs help. You're still quite mischievous and LOVE to mess up whatever he is doing, but that's when I need to remind myself that you are only two...and remind Sammy as well.

I'm sorry that I've made TV your new BFF these past few weeks while Mommy has gone back to bed after you wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 6:30am. I've never been a morning person and while I've tried to be since you're my early riser--I've needed the extra sleep lately. Sorry it's been at your expense.

I love that you love to eat. It's so refreshing to have a child who actually wants to eat after having one who eats pretty much nothing. I love that last night you ate as many pieces of pizza as I did. Impressive.

I love how much and how fast you talk. Like Mother like Daughter, obviously. You always have something to say, a story to tell or a funny new phrase. And you love the phone. I can already see you asking for your own by age 5.

I am sorry that I'm not always as patient with you as I should be. This whole Mommy thing is a learning process for me. Although I've already gone through one 2 year-old already, you are so completely different from him, I'm not always sure how best to deal with you--and I don't always make the right choice.

I love your funny faces and the fact that you only have two voice volumes: loud and louder. Yeah, it drives me crazy at church, but it makes me laugh nonetheless.

You will always be my girl and I love you so much!
Love, Mommy

Dear Helene,
I can't believe you're 4 months old today--these months have just flown by! The Lord knew what I needed when he sent you to me. I couldn't ask for a more mellow, sweeter, calmer, happy baby. I love to see that sweet smile that you always wake up with and I love your adorable giggle when you're tickled.

You seem to understand already that there are two other people who need my help too, and you are content to just wait your turn. I know when you cry, you really mean it and need me. You do have your moments (and they always seem to be when I'm trying to get the older kids to bed), but hey, we all have them. You're still an amazing girl. I love you and have loved getting to know you over these past 16 weeks.

Love, Mommy