Dear Winslow

Dear Winslow,

You have been changing so much recently I'm not even sure I know what's going on!  It's like you woke up, decided to sit up on your own (you're ALMOST there), get two bottom teeth (they are poking through a tiny iny bit) and decided that playing in your exersaucer is so much fun.  It's so crazy to see how much you take in when you just look around.  It's like you are growing into such a little boy and you're no longer the baby that we came home with.  You are so good at looking at us when we say your name and  you always let us know when you don't like something.

You are so full of energy it amazes me.  Naptimes are short, but you are never grumpy when you're awake.  My favorite moments of the day are when you wake up and right before you go to bed.  When you get up in the morning, you give me the biggest smile in the world.  You'll squeal and talk and smile all morning.  Then it's naptime and sometimes you like it and sometimes you don't. 

You're kind of like your momma. 

When it's time to go to bed, I've been taking a bath with you in the big bathtub.  Seeing your little face light up when you splash in the water brings me so much joy.  I will move your little chunky baby legs up and down the bathtub and you'll just smile and take it all in.  You love it so much.  You DON'T love when bathtime is over though.  You'll throw a little hissy fit now.  It's cute because sometimes when you cry, you're putting on a show..momma can tell. 

You sleep on your tummy now that you can roll over.  When I put you in your crib, you'll talk to yourself for like .2 seconds, roll over on your belly, and you're out.  It's the cutest thing in the world when I go check on you and your little booty is in the air. 

I even take a picture of you because one day, I'm going to blink and you'll be 18 years old.  What?

I love you so much, dear boy. 

We started babyfood last week too.  You gobbled it up like you were starving (even though you ate like 5 minutes before that)  I think it's safe to say, you're gonna have a big appetite and eat an ENTIRE box of cereal for dinner like my brothers used to do.  We are going to start with some sweet potatoes or avacado this weekend.  It's  fun to see how much you are exploring and growing every single day.

The squeals and screams that you do remind me of myself.  If you talk to LaLa,  she will be the FIRST to tell you  I was a LOUD child.  I think you may take after me in that aspect.  You love to exercise your lungs...but you're never mad! I can count on one hand the amount of times you've been REALLY upset since you've been born.

You are SUCH a joy, little one.

I hope I never forget the smell of your sweet little baby fuzz head.  I hope I never forget the grunting sound you make right before you go to bed.  Or that you love pounding your toys with your right hand, but not your left.  Or that you get mad at me when I try to feel of your little two teeth in your mouth.  Oh man, I could go on and on how perfect God made you.  I am so lucky to be your momma. 

The way you hold my hand when you nurse.  Or the way you love to stand up and those little thunder thighs with all the dimples and rolls are just asking to be pinched or squished.  Or when I blow air on them, you squeal with delight.

You love when daddy kisses you under the neck, you get the biggest smile and you laugh pretty loud.  I still think you're a lazy laugher though, because we haven't gotten but one or two huge belly laughs.  It'll come though, it'll come.  We just aren't funny enough. 

I love you so much, Winslow Jones.  I never want you to grow up.  Just when I think I can't ever love you any more, I do.  It's like God gives me a tiny bit more of love each day I wake up.  It's incredible. 

You are loved. You are loved. 

-Your momma

Dear Winslow

Hey baby boy,

As I watch you lay on your playmat "talking" to yourself in the mirror, I must write these sweet little things down that you do so I'll never ever forget them.

Like the way you kick one leg if you're upset and i'm holding you.  Or when you're laying on your back, you'll only kick one leg.

Or the way you breathe when we pour water over your little head at bathtime. It takes your breath away and you smile afterwards.  It melts my heart.

Or the way you do this little scream/coo that sounds like a pterodactyl.

How about when you're in the bath and you kick your legs and splash all the water out?  You love bathtime so much.

When you nurse and you make these little grunts and noises.  It makes me smile so big.

You have JUST recently starting looking up at me when your nurse and just once or twice I caught a smile.  Talk about making me melt.

Or when you hear daddies voice, you ALWAYS smile so big for him when he gets home.  It's the sweetest thing.

When you sneeze, all your arms and legs flail.

At bedtime when you're sleepy but fighting it, you'll purse your lips out and blink your eyes really heavy.  That's when i KNOW you are so tired.

Baby boy, it's these little things that I love so much about you- I hope I never forget them.  You are my joy and my world. 

I love you, Winslow.

Love,

Your mom.

Dear Winslow

Baby boy,

You are growing so fast already! How is it that you're over a month old?  It makes me so excited, yet sad that you are getting bigger. I can't wait for you to keep exploring new things each day.  I see it in your eyes- the way you look at things and how new they are for you!

We are quickly learning what you like and what you don't like...here's a few:

1. You do not like being swaddled.  You will grunt and cry to try and get your arms out, but after a couple minutes you settle down.  I hate to see you upset, but I also know that you sleep so much better when you are swaddled, so we will continue to do it.  We tried a couple nights of not doing it, and you were up every 1.5-2 hours...if we swaddle you, we sometime get 5-6 hours!  (And that makes your momma very happy!)

2. You LOVE to be held over our shoulder- we call it throwing you over our shoulder like a sack of taters. You don't like to be held like a baby at all.  You know, the traditional hold that most people do to babies.  I feel kind of bad, because when people want to hold you, you start to cry because you don't like it! 

3. You love bathtime. You have started kicking your legs a tiny bit and you'll stay in there, happy as a clam, until we take you out.

4. You DO NOT LIKE being cold after bathtime- if we don't dry you off, put a diaper on you, and put your clothes on in 2.5 seconds, you let us know!

5.  You love nursing. You make the cutest sounds in the universe while you nurse, and I absolutely adore that time I have with you.  Sometimes you'll just stare straight up at me, and it makes my heart melt.

6. You like to have your head rubbed!  Molly was over here the other night and started rubbing your little head and you cooed for a good thirty minutes!  You love it.

7.  You don't like to miss out on things!  Sometimes you'll be so tired,  but will not go to sleep! thankfully this is never really at night, but it's during the afternoon or evening.  This evening you screamed for a good few minutes because you didn't want a nap, but I knew you were so tired.  After I finally got you down, you slept almost 2 hours! See?  Momma does know best.  ;)

Winslow,  I love being your mom.  To see you change and grow each day makes me so happy.

This may be cheesy to some, but I have to document this special time.   Yesterday I was holding you and trying to put away some clean laundry and we were just chatting.  Well, I decided to play some music and George Strait's song "Carrying Your Love with Me" came on.  I twirled you around our bedroom and sang to you and danced and the way you looked at me and smiled made me cry! I boo hoo-ed like a little baby because you just do that to me, W.  It was the most precious moment we've shared since you've been here! Except for that first time we locked eyes when you were just minutes old.  I'll never forget that moment. Ever.

I love you Winslow.  So does your daddy.  You are so special to us and I always want you to know that. 

You are my sunshine.

Love,

Mom

Dear Winslow

Dearest baby boy,

This week has been so great yet so tiring.  A couple days you were not happy at all, and it wore me out a little! It's so hard to hear you cry and not be able to do anything about it.  If you promise not to tell, I'll let you know that I cried with you.  It was hard.  There will be days like that.  But there will also be days where you are happy as can be, which is most days.  I love watching you take in the world.  All the new sights and sounds...the way you are starting to coo just a tiny bit.  You'll talk to me a lot and then let out a big cry and then be happy as can be again.

You're so funny.

I love you.

We met daddy for dinner tonight while he was at work.  I had my first experiences of nursing you in the car.  It was funny because I kept looking outside to make sure no one was peeking at me.  You do great in your carseat so far!  Only a couple cries and then you're fine. 

You are such a joy.  I love being your mom.

I pray for you every single night.  I pray for your salvation, I pray for your health, your wife, your little fingers and toes.  I pray for everything.  You have blessed me so much in the past 3 weeks, it's insane. 

I love you.

When you sleep, you love to make little chirps and grunts.  You'll even let out a cry but I am convinced it's because you're dreaming.  It doesn't even phase you.  Let's just hope you learn to sleep a tiny iny bit longer in the coming weeks.. i know you will. :)

It's hard getting adjusted to this big ol' world!  I hope I am making it as easy as possible for you, little W.

We are so in love with you.  I can't even put it into words.  When I think about you and how God made you so perfect and beautiful, it makes me tear up. 

You are wonderful and the perfect missing piece in our family. 

Love,

Your mom.

A letter to my son.

Dear Winslow,

It's been a few weeks since I wrote you a letter- and lots has happened that you need to know! Daddy does a great job of updating you each night when he talks to you, and boy do you kick like crazy! I think you know his voice by now..or if you don't just yet, it sure is cute to think that you do.  We've added some bookshlelves to your nursery and hope you love to read as much as mommy and daddy! We always have a book in our hands and daddy stays up late with the light on to read.  Sometime when I'm trying to sleep (gotta get all the sleep in before you arrive!) it makes me a little mad because daddy has the light on, but that's okay.  I usually don't mind.

We also went to New Bern this past weekend to celebrate our third anniversary!  We have been married three years and this time next year you'll almost be a year old!

The best part about this past week was seeing your adorable little body and face.  Oh my gosh, I almost cried when I got to see you because it was the sweetest thing in the world!  
When the doctor first showed you to us, you were not that excited about being poked.  Your little hands were covering up your face so mommy and daddy couldn't see what you looked like!  But the doctor had other ideas:  he started poking the other side of my stomach which made you move a little and we could see your mouth open and close like you were saying "Hey now! I am nice and comfy in here and I don't like all this bouncing around!"  Then you stuck your tongue out!  

We finally got to see your face after the doctor moved you a little and boy are you handsome! I want these next 11 weeks to FLY by so I can have you in my arms! I know I won't want to share you, but I guess i'll have to. :)  Daddy and grandma say you have my lips.  I wouldn't mind that! As far as your nose, we are not sure!  Looks like it might be a Hogan nose (mine as well!)   Maybe you'll be as tall as your dad!  It's fun to think about what and who you'll look like!  

As far as cravings go, you sure like to make me crave sweets! I don't always give in because I want to make sure you're enjoying lots of fruits and veggies too but oreos and powdered donuts are something that I've enjoyed the past few weeks.  I also try to have a banana and an apple once a day so you will grow up strong!  

We sure do love you to pieces little one, and cannot wait until you make your appearance!  Maybe you'll come just a tad early so we don't have to wait so long for you.  But you come when you're ready, baby boy.

Mommy and Daddy love you very much!!  See you sooon!!!

-Mommy