The bestest big brother

Dear Finley,

You are the worlds best brother.

When Stone wakes up crying after his nap you're the first in his room. "Gooooood morning Stone woofer! " you say all cheery "Did you have a good nap? Did you buddy?" And he cries like he always does when he wakes up, but you keep talking, all happy and full of life until he is cooing and giggling at you.

The other night was one of my favorites as a mom. Stone woke up in the middle of the night crying and you woke up too and sang him back to sleep. Me and Daddy just laid there listening to you in the dark. My heart was bursting. I was so proud of you. You started quietly, and within a few minutes of "Twinkle,Twinkle really big star" Stone quieted and you both fell off to sleep. No need for mom or dad. Confident in the safety of the other. It was magic. The Peter pan, Neverland kind.

I'm not niave. I know someday you will fight and get mad at each other and quarrel like siblings do, but today as you were hiccuping just to make him laugh I couldn't help but just stare, so full of wonder watching you two. I am so lucky I get to be your mama. So lucky to watch you and your brother take on the world together, side by side.  I'm so proud of the way you take care of Stone and watch out for him and I can't wait to watch you with your twobabies that you have been waiting for so very long.  You really are the worlds best big brother and your brothers are so lucky to have you for their very own.

I love you forever and ever and ever.

Mama

You

Dear Finley,

You are perfect in every way and I am so thankful I get to be your mommy. I love every little thing about you and think you are one of the funnest people I've ever met. You wear me out and make me mad, but above all, you make me happy. So, so incredibly happy. Thank you for loving me and letting me love you.  Thank you for the laughs and the adventures and the craziness.

Forever and ever I love you.

Mama.

September 18, 2013

My big baby boy,
I love you more then you know. More then I will ever begin to be able to tell you. Forever and ever and ever my baby you'll be.

hugs and love.

Mama

They loved you first

Dear Finley,

Uncle Josh went to Africa and bought a boda and traveled through long and dusty roads on a great adventure this summer. One of his great adventures was going to the orphanage you are from and taking photos of you all grown up for the sweet sisters who took care of you before we got to hold you.  He said they cried when they saw the photos. They were so excited to know you were well and loved. Uncle Josh took this is a photo of them that I will forever cherish. So sweet. So beautiful. All in a row. Three women I will forever be indebted to. These beautiful women from western Uganda. They held you before I could and loved you before I knew your name. They have prayed for you every day since you left them, and I have no doubts are praying for you still. These women, I love them, and someday, I want to take you back to meet them. You'll love them too.

Love always,

Mama

Walking by the bay

I love adventuring with you baby boy. 

xo

Because I can

Dear Finley,

Today I feel like bragging on you. And I will, because I'm your mama, and that's something mamas do best. You are getting so big and fierce and strong. We have so much fun together you and I, and you have grow to have a sense of humor that stops me sometimes and makes me realize how very old you are for your years. You're becoming such a helper around the house, and when I ask you to pick up your toys you do it. Today you even picked up a spray bottle and put it away without me asking you to. I was shocked. In so many ways your no longer my little toddler. But then, you cry for me in the middle of the night and I remember that I have a little time left before your too old for me and my cuddles. We've taken to napping together in the afternoons since I've been growing your baby brother and it's become one of my favorite things. I love cuddling up next to you and listening to your heavy breathing as you go to sleep. I don't know what I did to deserve getting to be your mama, but I'm so glad I am. I am so proud of you and I love you ever so much my little man.

Hugs and love.

Mama

My shadow

Dear Finley, 

I love you to the moon and back. 

You make my heart overflow with happiness. 

I can't wait to see what an amazing big brother you're going to be, 

but I'm so happy for our time left to adventure just you and me. 

Your dimples kill me and your snuggles make everything better. 

You're the bestest.

Hugs and kisses. 

Mama