Dear Brody

Brody,

Sometimes I catch myself looking at you feeling rather dumbfounded. I can hardly believe your father and I created you. There are moments where you completely stop my heart short. Moments…in moments I am caught off guard by you. You'll be playing with your trucks, and in the middle of "vrooming" around the living room you'll look at me with your head tilted to one side, and you will just smile. Again, I am left in utter awe that you are mine. That I have been trusted to raise such an amazing little boy. In those peaceful moments when you are just waking up, if I am lucky enough to catch them, you aren't quite awake but you'll start rubbing your eyes, letting out a big yawn and a stretch. Your cheeks flushed a brilliant red with sleep. I stop short. I don't want to lose that moment. I don't want you to know I am there, watching, memorizing. Those moments flash by all too quickly, and I find that sometimes I forget to savor them. It makes my heart sad that we so easily get caught up in life, in the chores and tasks of the day ahead that we forget to see the beauty of tiny moments. I find myself writing things down at the end of the day that you did throughout, things that surprise me, or warm my heart. Even things that maybe in the moment make me scared or angry but upon reflection they are huge discoveries for you. I write them down with every detail I can remember. I'm not sure if I am doing it more for me or for you. Perhaps a little of both.

On Friday, Brody, you hit your 18 month mark. A year in a half!!! Geez that year in a half went fast. You keep us so busy I hardly notice the passing of time. Only when I pull a shirt out of your drawer and the sleeves stop short on your arms, I think to myself, time has passed. He has grown. He's changing. Lately you love to mimic. You aren't yet interested in your potty training chair, but you do love to use it as a step stool in the bathroom. You put it right in front of the sink and stand on your tip toes to reach the handles to turn the water on. You get the biggest smile, satisfied with your accomplishment. Of course the only reasonable thing to do next is brush your teeth, complete with spitting in the sink. You aren't yet aware why you spit, but you aren't happy unless you do it. Are you teeth getting a good scrub? Nope not yet, not really, but you are getting it. You pick up on the things you see daddy and I do and you have to do them too.

You are full of love my boy. I hope you never lose your love of cuddling, hugs and kisses. It warms my heart when you crawl up on the couch next to me and snuggle in close. Or when your daddy is sleeping and we go in to wake him up. You make use of Remi's doggy stairs and climb right up on the bed. You get this mischievous little grin on your face and crawl right on top of daddy's chest, stretch your arms around his neck and give him a big kiss. Then you'll lay your head on the pillow facing his and wait for him to open his eyes. I wish I could record that moment, but normally I am to swept away to think of it.

Being a parent is a constant learning process. It is nonstop growth. We make mistakes, we hit bumps and straighten back out. You are our pride and joy and all we ever want is to raise you as good as our parents raised us. We might not have thought it at the time, but they always showed us love and compassion. Sometimes it was tough love, but all they ever wanted for us was the best. Just like we want the best for you. We want to raise you knowing to be kind to others. To show compassion to those in need, to be strong even when it's hard, and to know without a doubt that we are always here for you.

We love you Brody and are overjoyed to be on this journey with you!