4th of July & You Said MAMA!!

Dear Scarlett,

     Yesterday, on July 8th 2012, you said Mama for the very first time! I asked you to say it and out of nowhere, "Mama".  And then you continued to say it throughout the day. We clapped and you joined in with us. I love your little "Mama Mama" voice talking to me. You are walking a lot now. And why did I want you to walk so much??? Haha. You are into everything. I have my hands full with you Peanut.

   But you are really a good baby. You are starting to be more social at the gym now. You even have a little friend! He's a blond haired boy about 2. Yesterday, you were crying and he rubbed your back and said, "It's okay. Don't cry." It was the sweetest thing ever!  You also saw your first fireworks this 4th of July. You were scared at first but as soon as Daddy showed you the pretty lights in the sky, you got excited and started waving your glow sticks around. It was sweet. Anyway, just leaving you a quick note today, to tell you about your first "Mama." Here are a few photos from the 4th of July.

Your words so far are: 

Dadda

Mama

Hot

Paa. ( I think this means Oppa)

Wow

Oh Yeah

Yes

Cold

My 14 month Old Baby.

Dear Scarlett,

     Tonight, I looked through photos of you when you were a baby. The day you were born, that terrible week at the hospital when you were sick, and all the sweet photos of you growing up. I look at you now and see you becoming a little girl. A beautiful, healthy, smart little girl. And it fills my eyes with tears to see what a kind person you are. You cuddle me when I'm sick, you look to me with concern when I'm crying, and you hold me when I ask for hugs.

    The way that you squeal with excitement every time a dog comes near us, makes me chuckle. You are funny. You make me laugh everyday. You love to be scared. Daddy and I always run up and scare you. You love it. You could play "I'm Gonna Get Scarlett" all day long.
Last week, I brought you to Animal Land with a group of moms and kids. We went on a safari ride. At one point, the camels were sticking their heads in and nudging us. Some of the ladies were screaming and pushing to get away from the back of the trolley. Not you, you giggled and smiled at them. Things that I think you would be afraid of, you aren't.

    We found the one thing that you are afraid of, though.  Car washes. Who would have thought? I have to get in the back seat with you, every time we go through one. Your little hands grab hold of me and your scared little eyes make me want to take all of your fear away.

    I think about all the fear and sadness that you may encounter in this world. I know that I can't shield you from it all. But I can promise you that I will be there. Sometimes I will be in front of you, guiding you and showing you the way. Sometimes I will be beside you, holding your hand through the hard times and helping you understand. And sometimes I will be behind you, letting you figure it out on your own, giving you some independence, but still there in case you want to look back for me.

    Scarlett, Daddy is pretty over protective of you right now. I'm sure part of the excessive worry is because of the scare with your seizure & the fever. But I have a feeling it will be like that a lot of your life. He is always afraid you will fall, or scared that you might trip. He is your protector. I like it that way. Daddy makes me feel safe and I know that you will feel the same when you get older, too.

Anyway, I guess I will get to the part I'm avoiding. You are 14 months old today. I know, I know, I always get so bittersweet about your birthdays. I always say how time goes too fast and I cry. Mommy is a cry baby. (Haha) But it's because I love you.

This Past Month:

Talking more and more (Still no Mama)

Walking on your own stronger and steadier.

Eating lots now! (Thank God the bird eating phase is over)

It takes you forever to eat!

You had a febrile seizure from your fever.

You love walks. We go every night before bed.

Joined Toga Tots

You are 21 lbs and 8 oz

You love Weeble Wobble toys

Bath time is a favorite

Our Scare.

Dear Scarlett,

     This weekend you scared Daddy and I. The massachusetts family was up to visit and the weekend started out wonderful. We had lots of fun things planned: pool, shopping, dining, Jazz Festival, gelato, movies and games. But on Saturday night, you started feeling warm and acting sleepy. I could tell that you didn't feel good. You were quiet and relaxed. Everyone knows that my little Scarbaby is a mischievous little devil on the go go go! Mommy had Oppa bring you back home after dinner. When the rest of us got back, I could tell you weren't feeling good so I put you down to sleep. When I checked on you at 9 pm, you were burning up with a fever. I stripped your clothes, got a cold cloth and grabbed the Tylenol. Before I could even finish, you started having a seizure. 

    This was the scariest 4 minutes of my life. Besides the last hospital scare when you were 6 months old. 

   Thankfully, I was on the phone with the doctor when this happened. She assured me it was a febrile seizure and it was because of the fever, so not to panic. I still did. Daddy called 911 and before I knew it, you were being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance with me by your side. Daddy followed behind. The paramedic calmed me by telling me that his son had the same thing when he was little and not to panic. You would be just fine. When we got to the hospital, you were given Motrin and Tylenol which brought your fever right down and you started to come out of your lethargic daze. I cried happy tears because that cry meant you were okay. You held your arms for me and it made my heart beat loud and strong. 

My heart beats for you now, Scarlett. It used to beat for me. But now, it belongs to you. 

We were allowed to go home 3 hours later. I was surprised to hear that these seizures are common in babies when fevers spike. They usually dissipate after 3 or 4 years old, and sometimes, only happen once. I just have to be cautious when you spike fevers. I need to give you Tylenol at the first sign of a fever to prevent this from happening again. Daddy and I both cried. We love you so much that a scare like this is torture. Thankfully, it wasn't as serious as it seemed. Mostly just scary. 

So that was our scare. When you grow up and if/when you have children, know that this is something that sometimes happens. I had no idea that little ones sometimes had seizures from rapid rising fevers. It's the body's was of protecting itself. How much you learn as a first time parent. We are thankful that you are feeling better peanut. And I'm sorry that I have to torture you with that gross medicine all the time. Haha. We love you.....

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Some Time for Scarlett.

Dear Scarlett,

     I thought I would take some time to write to you tonight. So much has been going on, that I haven't had much time to write to you lately. I've been attending weddings, trying to plan the wedding and spending time with you, so writing has been scarce. But, you are asleep now, so I'm putting all of my stress and other work aside, to write to you. We have been having so much fun! Your first real meal breakfast. Parades. Childrens Museum. Parks. Visits to Mass. We've been having a blast! 

     This weekend, we went to the Summer Solstice and you get a hand-made Hello Kitty doll. We also spend some time at Auntie Erica's camp. You got to spend a little time with the kids. It was nice since you don't have a lot of child interaction lately. Mommy is thinking of planning a few trips to places with lots of kids so that you can play with others.

     So besides having lots of fun on weekend trips and such, I wanted to write and tell you that you walked for the first time last Wednesday. On June 13th, 2012, you took 5 steps by yourself from the wall to me. I cried. Then put you in the middle of the room where you walked to me again. I can't believe how big my baby is getting. I love it and hate it at the same time. It is amazing that such a little person, who was only born last year, is learning to walk and talk.

   Lately, you have been waving to everyone like crazy. Saying "Hi" and "What's that?" often. I just love your voice. It's the sweetest little sound. You say Dadda, too. I'm still waiting for "mama".
Peanut, I love you so much. You are a blessing and I will never get tired of telling you that.

     Last week, I wasn't feeling very well. You curled up next to me and just laid with me and watched tv. That isn't normal for my baby on the go. You are usually rocking and rolling. But this small gesture filled my eyes with tears and I felt happy. There are going to be a lot of things that happen to you in your life, Scarlett. Good things, bad things. Happy moments, sad times. Fun times and difficult times. I am here for you through them all. I will always be here for you. Daddy, too. I just want you to know this. Lately, mommy has been having a few difficult things happen and, somehow, it always leads me back to you and, "What if this happens to Scarlett someday." Well, no matter what happens to you my sweet baby, I am here. I love you more than myself or anything in this world. I hope that we are always close. I know that we will probably have some issues or quarrels, but in the end, know this: it's all because I love you........We love you.


Love Mommy & Daddy

13 MONTHS!

Dear Scarlett,

We have been so busy that I almost forgot that today, is your 13 month birthday! 

Happy 13 months love!
I'm sorry if this is unorganized. I am writing this at 11 pm. 

We have done so many fun things this month! So I have LOTS of pics to post.

What's new? 

Well, at the doctor's office the other day, you were 20 lbs 13 oz.
You are in the 97% for your height and the 7% for your weight.
You are a string bean. Mommy worries about you eating enough, quite often.
but the doctor assures me that you are perfectly healthy. 

You are such a little super model. As soon as I turn the camera on you, you light up with smiles and poses. A natural for sure. Mommy loves taking photos of you all day.

Today Daddy started his new position at work. He's hard at work, making his way up the chain to be a big wig in the industry. We love that he works so hard for us. Trust me, you will appreciate this one day when you look back from your first job. 

You have 3 more teeth coming in. That is in addition to the 4 you already have. Late teether but no complaints as you are such a happy baby most always! You are getting into everything! I can't turn my back for one second!

Although you have been very talkative for awhile, you finally understand what you are saying.

Last week, your first word...Dadda. Of course.
And now you ask "What's dah?" and point. 

You still love books.

Favorite food right now? Veggie Crunchies. (picky eater while you teeth)

Favorite Show? Olivia.

You cry when it's time to stop swinging on the swings. 

I can't believe how big you are. 

You are beginning to understand the concept of Skype and FaceTime now. When we are away from Daddy, you laugh at him through the screen. You say "Dadda." And Daddy is filled with happiness from your little voice. 

I often lie watching you sleep. It makes me cry to think that someday, you are going to be old enough that you won't need me. But maybe you still might...in some small ways.

You try my patience. Temper tantrums happen more and more lately. Mostly when I take something away that you shouldn't have. I hate to see you cry but Mommy knows best. 

I was very concerned about you still drinking from a bottle. I tried to take it away from you when you turned one, but it was torture to you and the doctor said, "Let's try weaning her slowly." I agree. You don't like pacifiers or sucking your thumb. Your bottle is your soother and I know, you will give it up when you are ready. You do drink from a sippy cup but you aren't ready to give up your night time bubba yet. I could never figure out why it is okay for mothers to breast feed until the babies are 3 but bottles have to be thrown away as soon as they turn one???

I've learned something very important with you....All babies are different. They all develop and grow at their own pace. Some walk early, some talk early. Some have more teeth then others. Not one baby is the same. So to say that every baby is ready for one certain thing at one certain age, is not feasible. I have learned to trust my motherly instinct above all else. It helps that you have a great doctor that agrees. 

Everyday, you try me, test me, scare me, and make me absolutely blissful with your mere presence. You teach me new things daily. I love you for this. It is such a blessing to have you in our lives. Happy 13 months Scarlett.

P.s. For the love of all, would you please eat more?!?!

;)

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Pool Day & Mama's Lesson.

Dear Scarlett, 

I am posting another post from my blog. I wanted to share our weekend and a lesson I learned,  with you. 

This holiday weekend is going by in the blink of an eye. Isn't that always how it goes? 

Time flies when you're having fun? 

I was laying outside by the pool, watching Scarlett play with her Daddy in the water, kicking & splashing, & I couldn't help but think about how happy I am. After a stressful month or two, and lots of praying,  I am thrilled with the way things turned out. 

 All the worry was for nothing & everything has fallen into place.  It became obvious to me that enjoying each precious day, is what really matters. Scarlett is already one year old! It went by in the blink of an eye. I want it back.  

I want all those days back...

The day she was born. 

The first terrifying night at home, when I had no clue what to expect.

The tears I shed after watching my baby sick in the hospital.

The amazement of watching Scarlett crawl for the first time.

The first night that she wrapped her little arms around me & cuddled me.

The way her Daddy checks on her a million times in the night.

Her two little teeth poking through.

How she crawls around the house with two rings in her hands, always. 

And then there are all those memories with Ty that I hold so close to me.

The first day I laid eyes on him.

The way he looked back at me.

Riding on the back of his bike, that one day.

The way he lets me be right, even if I'm wrong.

Sitting in that restaurant, looking across the table at him.

That unforgettable night on the beach...the first time I kissed him.

I want those moments back. But I'll never get them back. They are gone. All that's left of them lies in our hearts. Which reminds me that I need to live each day to the fullest. I need to love every second, grab hold of every moment and live it 'til it slips away from me.

I have been practicing this more and more lately.

Having babies does this to you. It wakes you up from living a life full of meaninglessness. I can tell you what true happiness is.It's looking into our baby's eyes and knowing that she needs us. It's always wanting to be with the one you love. It is being content in the little things. It's the faint smell of soap on Ty's skin. It's falling asleep in his arms every night. It's playing "Where is Scarlett" over & over because I love that perfect giggle. It's watching myself grow and become a wiser, better person. I am, by no means, an example to live by. In many ways, I am still learning. I fall down, too.
But happiness is where I am.

I have come to believe that happiness comes from living life to the fullest. 

Taking each single moment and squeezing every bit of life from it. Even if I'm having a bad day, learn from it. Take it and make something good out of it.  Once that day is gone, it's never coming back....

Truly Live your life.

Simply Put.

Dear Scarlett,

If I could count all the ways that I love you...

I'd count forever.