Dear Zach

Dear Zach,

I cannot believe that you're two years old already!  It feels like just yesterday when Mama & Dada and Gabe went to the aquarium on a rainy Sunday afternoon, ate chili for dinner, and turned into bed around 9:30 PM....only to find out that you were on your way!  (And it was your actual due date!). 

Auntie Auntie rushed over to stay with Gabe, and you, Dada and Mama headed into Beth Israel.  We were so excited!  It was a rainy evening, and I can remember it clearly.  I thought you might arrive right away, since I'd heard that the second baby comes fast; but we spent the night waiting for you and then, at 4:52 AM, you arrived!  I first noticed your head of jet-black hair, dark skin, and the cutest infant body that I'd ever seen.  You were crying, and so I held you on my chest and marveled at your complete perfection. 

here we are together for the first time!

I couldn't stop looking at my new son!

my beautiful new boy!

all ready to go home!

leaving the hospital!

It was such a hard first year for you, little one.  We knew that you weren't comfortable - you had reflux, couldn't digest milk proteins, and just fussed and fussed most of the day and night.  But when you were around three months, you started to giggle at times - it was the cutest, raspy giggle, and I will never forget it.  

I don't know if it's because you lived in a sling for your first four months of life or if it's just innate in you, but you are such an affectionate little guy. 

this was your little sling nest

look at you!!!  sleeping on Auntie Auntie

look how small you look in Dada's arms!

oh, buddy.  this is how things were for a long time.  you poor bub.

You love to give hugs and kisses.  You come up to me many times a day and just hug my legs (first one and then the other).  Those moments are my favorite seconds of the day.  Oh, and you LOVE your big brother.  You go up to Gabe several times a day and hug him from behind, laying your head on his shoulder.  Since you still like to snuggle before bedtime, and you're still babbling - in a small sense - I still feel like I have a baby.  And I love that!  You are such a wonderful son, my love.  I had no idea that you were missing from our family until you arrived.  You've completed our little family in a perfect way.  And it feels like such an honor to raise two little princes (even when our behavior is less than princely).  We cannot wait to watch you grow over the next year, as we've enjoyed the first two years. 

Happy, happy birthday, Zachie!

Love,

Mama

xoxox