Dear Graham

Dear Graham,

Today, we celebrate you.  Six months ago today, at 8:36 a.m., we were granted our first look at you as you took your first breath.  It's hard to imagine it has been 6 months.  Where does the time go?  I remember holding your tiny self as you slept as if it were yesterday.  I remember your wrinkled fingers and toes, your matted hair from the amniotic fluid, and I remember the way your feet turned inward and your legs crossed as they did when you were still in my belly.  You were 9 pounds at birth, quite large for a newborn, but oh, so tiny.  We were so excited to meet you.  Your dad and I discussed names on the way to the hospital, we wondered if you would be a boy or a girl, how big you would be, if you would cry as you emerged into our world.  We now have all of those answers and more.

I was at the hospital this morning for an appointment.  I have to admit, I visited the gift shop and looked at the newborn clothes, I stood and admired a mother loading her newborn into the car for the first time, and I walked the hallway of the maternity center.  Yes, it's all a bit sappy, but I just couldn't help myself.  Each day, I grow closer to my "normal" self and farther from my "pregnant self".  The dark line down my belly and a softer midsection are the only physical reminders of your time in my belly. 

You have grown so much.  I find myself holding your head from time to time as if you were still a newborn.  I thought that you might be the baby that had to learn to "fend for himself" because you are the third, with a 2 and a 3 year old to divert my attention.  However, it seems to be the opposite.  I know I hold you more than I did your brother and sister, rock you to sleep almost every evening, and answer to your cry more than I probably should.  I've become wiser and more privy to the passage of time and to just how precious you are at this young age. You can blame me that you can't quite sit up on your own yet, that you aren't sleeping through the night, and that you are just so content on my hip as I go about the house keeping things in order.  It's our little secret. You have plenty of time to learn grow up.  

 Our first photo together

 Welcome baby Graham

 Holding your hand for the first time

 A proud brother and sister

You are the happiest baby I have ever known.  Your entire body smiles when you are happy.  If someone just looks at you and speaks your name, you nestle your head into my shoulder and scrunch your arms and legs and you smile.  I have so many wishes for you.  I hope you live each day with the same enthusiasm and joy that you have now.  I hope you have a fantastic golf swing.  I hope you enjoy hunting with Papa. I hope you know you've taught me to be patient with your older brother and sister because I see them in your eyes-they were once as quiet as you. I hope you speed home from college on Friday nights to see your momma and to eat her home cooked meals.  I hope you sleep each night with peace and love in your heart.  I hope you enjoy fixing fences and learning to drive a tractor with your daddy.  I hope you know just how much I love you because I can't possibly find the words.  I know I will do my best to show you everyday.  Happy six months my sweet son.

Love, 

Mom