Two!!

My dear Emmett,

I can hardly believe that two whole years have already passed since the day you were born.  As we walked to the park last night with your brothers, I couldn't help but think about your birth day, and how my love for you began...

It was no secret when I was expecting you that I'd slightly hoped for a baby girl.  Your Papa and I were fairly certain that you were our last pregnancy, and I was so curious about who our little girl could be.  I woke up at about 8:30 on the morning you were born, and I was sure that my contractions meant real labor.  I kept what was happening quiet from your Papa and your big brother for as long as I could... we went about our morning routine, sharing breakfast and taking a walk through our neighborhood. In part, the same walk that you and I took last night with Theo and Rubin.

After about 2 miles, I let Papa and Theo in on our little secret, when I couldn't keep it to myself any longer... that you were coming once and for all (God willing, before the end of the day!!) And I told your dad what had been on my heart and my mind all morning... that suddenly, as if out of nowhere, I was desperate for you to be a boy. I needed for you to be Theo's brother, and I prayed that God would make you my son. (I was almost certain that He'd already made his mind up about that, but you never know, right?!)

We stayed home together for as long as we could, and were only in the hospital for a little over 2 hours before you were born, at 5:35pm.  Your papa was there, of course, and was the first to tell me that you were our little boy.  Your Nanny and Aunt Moony were with us, too, and instantly we were all in love... those bright blue eyes, that head full of dark, red hair. 

(meeting mama)

We spent our first two nights together alone at the hospital. Papa went home to tell Theo all about you. And I reveled in the experience, as it was so different from the time I spent there with your big brother.  I will never forget being alone with you in our hospital room that first night. Your Papa called to check in on us, and I couldn't stop crying. I was in awe of you. (And, I was watching Forrest Gump.  Forrest and post-partum hormones are NEVER a good combination.)

As much as I loved the round the clock attention we were getting from our doctor and our nurses (and how a chocolate shake would appear bedside with the touch of a button) I was anxious to get you home. To figure you out and get to know you and how you were about to change our family... it was also no secret that I was worried about having enough love for both you and your big brother. In the past two years, you have taught me that one thing our family never has to worry about is running out of love.

(on our way home)

I can't say that our first days with you were easy.  Just as you have your moments of being angry with me for bringing your baby brother home, your older brother wasn't so fond of you all of the time.  But what I remember more than that is the same thing that I will remember about you, at 2... how you wake up each morning asking where Rubin is. How you hate it when he naps because you can't see him, touch him. How, when your baby brother is sad, you are the first person to make sure that I know it and truly understand.  You are loving him as you were loved.

(Theo and baby Emmett)

I can't believe how far you've come...

(birth announcement photo)

(first birthday)

(two!!!)

...and I can't wait to see where we are going. Because I know, with you along for the ride, there is NEVER going to be a dull moment.  My life is so full, because you are so full of life. I love you.