Dear Sophia

Hi baby girl,

I know I haven't written about you a lot, and trust me it's not because we aren't excited about you, we are. We are more than excited, it's just that we have this little ball of craziness here with us and well, you know, sometimes after he goes to bed I just want to sit and do nothing because quite frankly the kid wears us out.

I did want to take a moment and write you a letter. We are ready for you to come. We are ready to see our little doodle bug. Yes, we have a nickname picked out for you already...actually your mom has had that picked out for a while.

We talk about you all the time. We wonder what you will look like. Will you look like a little Colombino or will you have more fair features like your brother? We really don't care as long as you are healthy, and whatever you look like, I know you will be beautiful.

I also wanted to give you some tips before you come into this crazy family.

Your Brother

Harrison, as you will soon learn is a two year old. He is smart, he is wonderful, but he is crazy. He has been the center of our universe for two years so forgive him if he is a little slow to accept you. He talks about you all the time though, and already has a nickname for you - "Phia"! He talks about holding you and changing your diaper --- don't worry, we won't let him till you are much older, just kidding, we will handle all of that. He is also very concerned that you will cry, which you probably will, but that is OK too. For as crazy as he is, he also has a tender heart. A little guy that loves to give "huggers" and "big kisses" he will, I am sure of it, grow fond of you very quickly. I am sure he will be your protector and I know that he will love you as much as we do.

Riley

Your dog is a whole different story. See, before Harrison was born, he was the center of our world. He was your mommy's baby before we had a baby. When Harrison came he wasn't too sure about the whole deal. With you coming along he may just run away. Harrison and Riley have a love hate relationship...I am sure you and H will make a dynamic duo against Riley. He may want your food, he is an incredible beggar, and he may want a toy or two, but once he gets to know you he will love you, and probably really love you once you start dropping some Cheerios his way.

Your Mother

I am not sure what I can say about your mom. When your mom found out that you were a girl she was ecstatic. She set out, I think, to find every pink thing she could find. It finally got to a point where I asked her about it...she came back with a bag of clothes and announced that she got something other than a pink outfit...it was purple!

Your mom already loves you more than you will know. She would give you the world tomorrow if she had it and the universe the next day. She will make you wonderful birthday cakes and Halloween costumes, and paintings...but most of all she will make a wonderful home for you and your brother. There is one thing I am certain; you and your brother will never want for love. The only thing she has ever wanted, and has asked me for, is a family, and now, with you and Harrison, we have it.

Your Dad

I will keep this brief. I am a big sap. I always knew I wanted kids, but your brother opened my eyes, and my heart, and has truly made me understand just how powerful children are. I will do my best to always be there for you, no matter what. I promise that we will have fun, that you will be loved, and that I will protect you from as much pain as I possibly can, though, you will probably face some bumps along the road.

I also want you to know that no matter what, you can do, and be, whatever you want to be. Whether you want to be the girliest of girls or the biggest tomboy, I want you to know that you I will love you and support you in all that you do and all that you become.

We are all excited for you to get here...so anytime you want to arrive we are ready for you!

Love your family!

2 Year Pics

Freaking Out

Children, especially 2 year old children pick up on some of the damnedest things. Case in point; As I was lathering Harrison up with sunscreen the other day in preparation for the pool he had a typical two year old meltdown. For no apparent reason he was screaming like someone had just stolen his favorite doggy.

Liz yells in the room, asking if I had gotten the sunscreen in his eyes. I yelled back "NO, he is just freaking out!"

Fast forward about 10 minutes as I am getting my suit on in our room I hear Liz ask Harrison in the living room, "What's wrong, why are you crying?"

His reply: "I crying...I freaking out"

2 Years, a Few Tears, and Many Laughs.

2 years. I try to let that sink in but it still doesn't seem real. It doesn't seem like it was two years ago today that mommy woke me in the middle of the night with a worried yet very cheery "I think my water broke...or I peed the bed". It doesn't seem like it was two years ago when my life, our life, changed forever.



Two years is really just a blip on the screen of your life. A blip but somehow it is more significant. Two years means you are no longer our baby. No longer our little baby boy that slept curled up on our chest with his little butt in the air. No longer the the little baby turning into a little guy.



You are NOW that little guy. A little guy that can mimic how mommy says "Honey" "Hah-KNEE" or who likes to walk up to us and announce just exactly what you are doing "I, I, I Fixing!"



You have brought us so many laughs, I could write a book about these last two years, but really, I can say what I feel in just a few words.



You are the best thing that has happened to us. You are a bright, smart, beautiful little boy that makes us laugh each day. Thank you for your wonderful spirit, your tender heart, and the sweetness that is you. We love you forever!

Time Bombs and Watermelon Kisses

There are some moments as a parent when you know that the next hour or so of your life is going to be less than ideal. Those moments usually begin with the sitter saying "He didn't really take a nap today". Sure he is cute and funny as he's running around but you know that much like a time bomb this little guy is about to go off...and you do not want to be in the blast zone when he does.

So sure enough the moment your foot hits the doorway...tick, tick, BOOM! Tears, "I want Mommy" "I want drink" "I want..." you get the picture. And just when you think you can't take it and you are swearing off any more children for the rest of your life (though one is due to arrive on your doorstep any day), the little angel sticks a piece of watermelon in his grimy paws, sticks it in your mouth and grabs both your cheeks, plants a sticky, wet watermelon kiss on your lips and wraps his arms around your neck like you're the last life ring on the Titanic.

Then you forget the last 59 minutes and 40 seconds, remember those sweet 10 seconds and realize that life isn't so bad.

Augusta Here We Come!

May Pictures

Sophia's Room. Harrison "Reading", and much more!