My Coe Baby, you're TWO!

Dearest Roscoe,

Right now, you're curled up next to your dad in our bedroom. You fought sleep like a ninja for TWO HOURS. When I thought you were asleep, I snuck out of bed to get some me time. Then, I heard your little whimper of, "Maaaaahm" behind me. You were still awake, kid! You threw your perfect little arms around my neck and nuzzled down back to sleep in no time. Those moments are passing faster. You're starting to push me away from our nightly cuddle sessions to wrap yourself up in blankets and fall asleep by yourself. So, I cherish those moments when you're still lost without me.

March 2013

April 2013

May 2013

See, you're pretty independent, Coe. Since you started moving, you've been on a mission to test all toddler limitations. People never believe what a rager you are, until they've been in our house for 10 minutes. After they've seen you scale the side of the counter to try and turn on the stove, escape through the backdoor to play in water from the faucet and climb the stairs to throw heavy objects at people's heads, they are believers. You are unreal. I can't take my eyes off you for a second, and whenever I do, you always have some terrifying surprise waiting for me. I think I'd be more of a frazzled mom if you didn't look so cute while attempting to destroy the entire house.

June 2013

July 2013

August 2013

Because, you're pretty much the sweetest devil that ever lived. You have such strong love in you. Your hugs are like magic. You run up to me at random times during the day just to pat me on the back and kiss my face. You take care of your big brother whenever he's sad; you agonize over him if he's in any pain at all. It's amazing to watch your love in action. You make strangers smile and everyone around you laugh. And, man. There is nothing as electric as that laugh of yours.  GAH. Just thinking about it makes me want to tickle the mess out of you.

September 2013

October 2013

Roscoe speak is one of the great joys of my day. You have the funniest accent. It's like-- a Boston/ Southern drawl. Things that are hot are "TOO HAWWWT", "Car" is "Cahh," "Wrigley" is "Wig-ah-wee." I really need to record it, because it's downright hilarious. You've started speaking gibberish sentences. I will understand maybe two words in the PARAGRAPH you're reciting. And, your dramatic inflection and gestures just serve to make everything more entertaining.  I'm sure at some point, you'll just figure it all out, and we'll realize you've been reciting Shakespeare sonnets the whole time.

November 2013

December 2013

You are more than mobile, you're AGILE. You can already scoot around on your scooter faster than I can! You are an amazing dancer ("What the Fox Say" is most definitely your jam of choice). You are ridiculously coordinated for a two year old (although, don't tell that to your missing canine tooth). I always joke that I need to get you training for the X-games, but seriously. I need to get you training for the X-games.

January 2013

February 2013 

Roscoe, Coe baby, Roe-Coe-Coe, Coaster Rica, Rocky, Roller Coaster,  My life without you would be boring. You have brought more joy to this little family than you will ever know. You are vibrant, loving, funny and adventurous. I promise to nurture and fight for those qualities always. You will always be my baby boy, and I am so insanely lucky to be your mom ( here's hoping that luck keeps us out of the ER for a long time!).

xoxoxox,

Your Maaaaaaahma

The brothers.

2013 Slideshow!

Our year in review! Such a great year.

Hendrix, you're FOUR!

Dear Hendrix, 

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? You are four years old! FOUR WHOLE YEARS! As if I needed more reasons to be an emotional mess, you've gone and become KID. 

The past year has been amazing. Three was so good to all of us. You are smart and funny and wild and perfect. Every bit of you is so perfect.

This year has been my favorite because you started asking so many QUESTIONS. You are curious and smart, and just hearing the things you come up with is unreal. You'll come up to me and your dad randomly and just say things like, "Hey mom, hey. Can we talk about Bigfoot rea-yee quick?" "Can we talk about fire ants for a sec-nick?""I've got a pwan, can you tell me about ice?" And, I'm telling you what, kid. That is the coolest thing. Your dad and I can finally hear all the amazing things going around in that gorgeous brain of yours. 

You are the sweetest. Seriously. You have a way of saddling up next to me, your dad, or Roscoe and just making us feel loved. You still crawl up into my lap and let me cuddle you. Oh, I wish that would never end.

You are doing so great in preschool. You've made friends, you are doing great "work" and you have even taken a nap during nap time! All in all, it's heartbreaking for your mom and dad, because we're having to come to terms with the fact that you're growing up. It's the worst and the best at the same time. We're so proud of how easily you've made the transition, but we're also left feeling like, "What? You don't miss just being home?!"

You care so much, about everything. As you learn more things, you are making connections and having revelations, and it's wonderful. You have such a super hero heart. You want to right wrongs and save people who are in trouble, and I can't wait to see what you do with this little life of yours.

Here's to the past 4 years, Hendo. You've made them the best of my life.

xoxo, 

Your mama

september 2012

october 2012

november 2012

december 2012

january 2013

february 2013

march 2013 

april 2013

may 2013

june 2013

july 2013 

 august 2013

september 2013

For past birthday letters: 3 Years Old, 2 Years Old, 1 Year Old. :) 

My guy.

We've been gearing up for the next big step around here: preschool. PRESCHOOL. It seems crazy. My little guy isn't so little. He's a true kid, who asks every preschool director during his interview if they'll be "yearning about dinosaurs this year?" 

Roscoes big "bubbah", who hears his brother crying and who says, "Hey, I found this binky in there, think my yittle buddy needs this?!"

My little genius, who spends hours talking about the elusive Sasquatch, the mighty Ant, the amazing Spider-Man. 

Hendrix is thrilled to be taking this next step, and honestly, so am I. I'm ready and I'm not. I'm thrilled and I'm terrified. The truth is, parenting is as much about holding as it is letting go. Hendrix is going to shine and learn and play and become more himself every day. He is unafraid and secure

And I am so proud.

the boys are sleeping in our bedroom. sunlight is pouring in through the blinds and dancing across their perfect faces. i'd take a picture, but it would be a sin to wake them.

half the time i feel like i'm barely making it, finding myself still in my pajamas in the afternoon, not knowing what we've eaten all day, except for doritos and cuties. there's a lot of forgiveness in parenting. there has to be. you realize it's 3. you go make mac and cheese, and you sit on the floor and hold your babies tight, because they're growing by the second and there's nothing you can do to stop it. they're just going to keep growing. and it's the worst and the best in the very same breath. and because tomorrow is a new day. so, as long as you vow to put those little babies first? you'll be doing just fine.

One

My Dear, Sweet Coe Baby,

We've got one whole year under our belts, kiddo.  I don't know how it happened, or why it happened so fast, but here we are.

I remember when I was pregnant, I wondered how on earth I could manage loving another person as much as I love your brother. And then, I met you. I saw your perfect face for the first time, and it was over. You fit into a small part of me that I never knew existed. You, my perfect boy, were always meant to be mine.

I wish I could put into words how strong your tiny spirit is.  I knew you before I laid eyes on you.  You have this curious, unabashed, vibrant human inside of you-- an old soul.  It's amazing to see you interact with people and things. You do everything so carefully and consciously. You operate on some other plane of existence; it's mesmerizing to watch.

 Coe baby, every mama says it, but you are gorgeous. You have blue eyes that hold the world in them. Your hair is more red every day, and I sure hope it sticks. But if it doesn't, I know you'll rock what you've got. Everybody stops me to tell me what a beautiful baby you are. I soak it all in, because, I worked pretty hard on that face of yours. 

You are straight magic, kid. You are in a constant state of exploration. You have always been awed by music. If you hear a song, you stop, cock your little head to the side and take it in, keeping time with your toes. Sometimes I catch you in a room playing with a stream of sunlight. I'm telling you, MAGIC.

Being a mama to an infant is intoxicating. You are the center of someone else's world, and feeling so needed is terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. But, already, you are separating from me, pushing me away so that you can do what you want. It's heartbreaking, honestly. Each day you become less and less a part of me. But, more and more, you're becoming you. The little man I see emerging is truly something.

Too soon, you won't run to me for every scrape and bruise, but I'll always be here waiting in the wings. You're on to great things, my love. You, with your little smirk and sweet laugh. You will forever be my little Coe baby. Right now, you're sleeping sweetly in our room next to your big brother, who is your moon and stars. As I finish this, I'll crawl into bed and wrap you up in my arms. Tonight, you're still my little baby, and I'm the luckiest.