Dear Aidan,
Lately life has been rough for us. You've been acting out and throwing tantrums for what seems to be the most ridiculous things. You don't want to wear your sandals, but really you do. You want to sit on the potty, but ok, not really. You want the truck, oh! but Alice is playing with the ball so you want that instead but no, she can't have the truck because you still want that too. You don't want to take a nap, but darn it you're so tired. It would be funny if it wasn't so frustrating trying to help you express yourself. I know that most of the time it's because you're frustrated or just tired, but sometimes it's very hard to remind myself that you're still trying to process this great, big, scary world.
I'll admit, I've been losing my temper with you a lot more than I should be. I yell right back at you, something I swore I wouldn't do after watching other moms do the very same thing with horrible results (worse tantrums, giving in so their own child would just stop, etc.). I've spanked you multiple times (I'm not against corporeal punishment, but I think I've been way too hard on you). I make mistakes every single day, mistakes that I'm not proud of. I'm trying, sweetheart, I really am. I know this is just a phase, and soon you'll be able to sort your feelings out better. I know that I'm going to miss you being this little. It's why I'm trying to start each day with a fresh start and hoping to end each night not feeling guilty for losing my cool with you. I love you so very much and just want you to be happy.
Love, Mama
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Tantrum Tornado
Dear Aidan,
I love you so much. This is a phase. We will get through this. You're only little for a little while.
This is my mantra right now while we try to get past these awful Terrible Twos. Daddy and I are learning so much patience because of you, and I only hope that you're learning that when we say no or tell you not to do something that we do still love you, we just don't want you to get hurt or hopped up on sugar or use those naughty words that someone shouldn't have taught you in the first place.
Also, could you please stop freaking out every time I try to wash your hair? I don't want you to be the smelly kid with the gross hair. I know it doesn't feel good when the shampoo gets in your eyes. that's why I ask you to look up or close your eyes, but you do it even when it's just water. You don't seem to mind when you've dumped the water on your own head, so why is it different when I do it? I guess I should just be grateful that you're taking baths again instead of those three minute speed baths when you'd just stand there and scream.
Love, Mama
I love you so much. This is a phase. We will get through this. You're only little for a little while.
This is my mantra right now while we try to get past these awful Terrible Twos. Daddy and I are learning so much patience because of you, and I only hope that you're learning that when we say no or tell you not to do something that we do still love you, we just don't want you to get hurt or hopped up on sugar or use those naughty words that someone shouldn't have taught you in the first place.
Also, could you please stop freaking out every time I try to wash your hair? I don't want you to be the smelly kid with the gross hair. I know it doesn't feel good when the shampoo gets in your eyes. that's why I ask you to look up or close your eyes, but you do it even when it's just water. You don't seem to mind when you've dumped the water on your own head, so why is it different when I do it? I guess I should just be grateful that you're taking baths again instead of those three minute speed baths when you'd just stand there and scream.
Love, Mama
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Remember When
Dear Aidan,
I wrote you this letter the day before you turned three months old. I'm so glad I came across it again to remind me that you won't always be as little as you are right now and that I truly need to be cherishing not just the good things you do but the bad as well (ok, not bad, but the naughty). You see, yesterday you were especially naughty. You found two sharpie markers and decided the sheets on Daddy and my bed needed some artwork. Then you also decided that some of my clothing as well as Alice's bouncy seat needed to be freshened up with some added color. Add on top of that the multiple temper tantrums while I was trying to take care of your sick sister, and I had had enough. I know that I spanked you a little too hard, and I shouldn't have put you to bed early just so you'd quit pestering me about Mickey Mouse and Bubble Guppies. I just needed a break. From now on though, I'm going to remember that you're still my sweet baby who needs more gentleness than I gave you yesterday. I love you, sweet boy, even when you're being naughty.
"To My Son,
A week from tomorrow, you will be 3 months old. Where did the time go? Just yesterday, I was still pregnant. An hour ago, you were just born. Or that's how it seems. I know soon enough you will be grown and have a family of your own. I can't wait for the day when you get to hold your own child in your arms, but for now I'm going to cherish every smile, coo, poo, and scream you deem fit to throw my way. I'm going to love hug, dread every tantrum, and be grateful to have you in my life. We're going to fight, and I'm going to say and do things that you won't agree with. You're going to push all of my buttons and make me worry every time you leave my sight. Still, I'm going to love every minute of it all because you are mine. I love you, Aidan.
Love, Mama"
Love, Mama
I wrote you this letter the day before you turned three months old. I'm so glad I came across it again to remind me that you won't always be as little as you are right now and that I truly need to be cherishing not just the good things you do but the bad as well (ok, not bad, but the naughty). You see, yesterday you were especially naughty. You found two sharpie markers and decided the sheets on Daddy and my bed needed some artwork. Then you also decided that some of my clothing as well as Alice's bouncy seat needed to be freshened up with some added color. Add on top of that the multiple temper tantrums while I was trying to take care of your sick sister, and I had had enough. I know that I spanked you a little too hard, and I shouldn't have put you to bed early just so you'd quit pestering me about Mickey Mouse and Bubble Guppies. I just needed a break. From now on though, I'm going to remember that you're still my sweet baby who needs more gentleness than I gave you yesterday. I love you, sweet boy, even when you're being naughty.
"To My Son,
A week from tomorrow, you will be 3 months old. Where did the time go? Just yesterday, I was still pregnant. An hour ago, you were just born. Or that's how it seems. I know soon enough you will be grown and have a family of your own. I can't wait for the day when you get to hold your own child in your arms, but for now I'm going to cherish every smile, coo, poo, and scream you deem fit to throw my way. I'm going to love hug, dread every tantrum, and be grateful to have you in my life. We're going to fight, and I'm going to say and do things that you won't agree with. You're going to push all of my buttons and make me worry every time you leave my sight. Still, I'm going to love every minute of it all because you are mine. I love you, Aidan.
Love, Mama"
Love, Mama
Monday, April 1, 2013
Skipper
Dear Aidan,
You've got Uncle Skipper's eyes. The color, the twinkle, it's all Skipper. And when you scrunch up your face in a grin for photos, well, that's Skipper too. I never got to meet Skipper. He died when he was just a kid. He drowned while on vacation with his parents and siblings. He was Papi's older brother. Raymond Dean, born on the 4th of July. When you're older, you'll have to ask Papi to tell you stories about him. Skipper was a cool little kid: kind, funny, loved carrots (according to what my great grandmother told me when I was little).
I can't imagine how much pain your great grandma went through when her oldest son died. I don't know how any parent is able to deal with something like that. It occurred to me many years later that that must have been why Grandma taught your Auntie Kim and I how to swim. It's also why your Papi won't let people go rafting or canoeing on the river without a life jacket. It's why I don't like for you to be anywhere near water without Daddy or me there to keep an eye on you.
I don't want you to be afraid of the water, but I do want you to be aware that bad things can and do happen. I want you to learn to swim and to be able to go in the deep end without holding my hand. I want you to be able to jump off the high dive and go in the ocean without fear. I love you.
Love, Mama
You've got Uncle Skipper's eyes. The color, the twinkle, it's all Skipper. And when you scrunch up your face in a grin for photos, well, that's Skipper too. I never got to meet Skipper. He died when he was just a kid. He drowned while on vacation with his parents and siblings. He was Papi's older brother. Raymond Dean, born on the 4th of July. When you're older, you'll have to ask Papi to tell you stories about him. Skipper was a cool little kid: kind, funny, loved carrots (according to what my great grandmother told me when I was little).
I can't imagine how much pain your great grandma went through when her oldest son died. I don't know how any parent is able to deal with something like that. It occurred to me many years later that that must have been why Grandma taught your Auntie Kim and I how to swim. It's also why your Papi won't let people go rafting or canoeing on the river without a life jacket. It's why I don't like for you to be anywhere near water without Daddy or me there to keep an eye on you.
I don't want you to be afraid of the water, but I do want you to be aware that bad things can and do happen. I want you to learn to swim and to be able to go in the deep end without holding my hand. I want you to be able to jump off the high dive and go in the ocean without fear. I love you.
Love, Mama
Friday, March 1, 2013
Big Boy
Dear Aidan,
Happy belated second birthday! A year ago I started writing you these letters never realizing just how much I'd grow to enjoy putting down these words for you. Daddy and I have been so incredibly blessed to have you (and your sister) in our lives.
What I want to remember most about your second year is your never ending supply of energy. I know that most kids your age are filled with energy, but you seem to have an insane amount trapped in that tiny little body of yours. I'm not sure where you hide it, but could I possibly borrow some? You won't miss it, I promise. You'll most likely want to remember that this is the second year in a row you've received a pet for your birthday (last year you got Zelda the dog; this year it was Fish the fish). I don't think Daddy is going to let you go for a Hat Trick by getting you another pet next year, but you never know...
Last night was your first night in your big boy bed. You were so excited when you first saw that you could climb in and out of your own bed now so I didn't think there would be any problems getting you to go to sleep. I was wrong...sort of. There were a few tears (and they weren't all yours) at first, but after I sat with you for a little while, you willingly laid down and went to sleep. You looked so grown up when Daddy and I checked on you before we went to bed.
Daddy and I love you so very much.
Love, Mama
Happy belated second birthday! A year ago I started writing you these letters never realizing just how much I'd grow to enjoy putting down these words for you. Daddy and I have been so incredibly blessed to have you (and your sister) in our lives.
What I want to remember most about your second year is your never ending supply of energy. I know that most kids your age are filled with energy, but you seem to have an insane amount trapped in that tiny little body of yours. I'm not sure where you hide it, but could I possibly borrow some? You won't miss it, I promise. You'll most likely want to remember that this is the second year in a row you've received a pet for your birthday (last year you got Zelda the dog; this year it was Fish the fish). I don't think Daddy is going to let you go for a Hat Trick by getting you another pet next year, but you never know...
Last night was your first night in your big boy bed. You were so excited when you first saw that you could climb in and out of your own bed now so I didn't think there would be any problems getting you to go to sleep. I was wrong...sort of. There were a few tears (and they weren't all yours) at first, but after I sat with you for a little while, you willingly laid down and went to sleep. You looked so grown up when Daddy and I checked on you before we went to bed.
Daddy and I love you so very much.
Love, Mama
Monday, February 11, 2013
Haircut
Dear Aidan,
Last week, Mormor took you to get a haircut. It wasn't your first one or anything special like that, but I felt sad after she sent me a picture of you with your hair chopped off. It was the shortest it's ever been cut, and those cute little swoopy curls in the back were completely gone. I know that was the point of getting the hair cut, but I still missed how your hair fell into your eyes (I'm sure you don't miss that at all). As much as I'm not a fan of Justin Bieber, I can't help but love how your hair resembles his.
You'll be two in just a couple of weeks. We'll be having a Sesame Street party for you with all of your grandparents there to show you how much they love and adore you. We'll have hot dogs and cupcakes, two of your most favorite foods. We'll probably even put in a DVD of Elmo's World for background music since you love it so much. Daddy bought you a Mr. Potato Head doll and is hoping to buy your very own pet fish. You'll really like that since you seem to get a kick out of the fish at the zoo and dr's office.
Lately, you've been really naughty. Throwing tantrums, not doing what you're told, pitching fits when you don't get your way (and sometimes even when you do). I know it's a phase, and that in the grand scheme of things, this is such a short period of time. But goodness, the constant whining certainly does get awfully hard to listen to for more than a few seconds. I know I lose my temper with you and don't always handle your tantrums with much grace, but I do love you so very much. I'll try to remember the next time you're being especially bratty that you'll only be this little for a little while longer.
Love, Mama
Last week, Mormor took you to get a haircut. It wasn't your first one or anything special like that, but I felt sad after she sent me a picture of you with your hair chopped off. It was the shortest it's ever been cut, and those cute little swoopy curls in the back were completely gone. I know that was the point of getting the hair cut, but I still missed how your hair fell into your eyes (I'm sure you don't miss that at all). As much as I'm not a fan of Justin Bieber, I can't help but love how your hair resembles his.
You'll be two in just a couple of weeks. We'll be having a Sesame Street party for you with all of your grandparents there to show you how much they love and adore you. We'll have hot dogs and cupcakes, two of your most favorite foods. We'll probably even put in a DVD of Elmo's World for background music since you love it so much. Daddy bought you a Mr. Potato Head doll and is hoping to buy your very own pet fish. You'll really like that since you seem to get a kick out of the fish at the zoo and dr's office.
Lately, you've been really naughty. Throwing tantrums, not doing what you're told, pitching fits when you don't get your way (and sometimes even when you do). I know it's a phase, and that in the grand scheme of things, this is such a short period of time. But goodness, the constant whining certainly does get awfully hard to listen to for more than a few seconds. I know I lose my temper with you and don't always handle your tantrums with much grace, but I do love you so very much. I'll try to remember the next time you're being especially bratty that you'll only be this little for a little while longer.
Love, Mama
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
A Date with Aunt Kate
Dear Aidan,
Tonight, Daddy and I are going to the movies and leaving you with your Aunt Kate. She's the first aunt you actually attempted to say her name. You took a lot of coaxing and prompting and bribing (she was willing to do anything to hear you say her name) before you finally did. I don't think I've ever seen her so excited! Neither of us are quite sure why you called her Aunt Pillow that one time though. That was pretty funny!
Love, Mama
Tonight, Daddy and I are going to the movies and leaving you with your Aunt Kate. She's the first aunt you actually attempted to say her name. You took a lot of coaxing and prompting and bribing (she was willing to do anything to hear you say her name) before you finally did. I don't think I've ever seen her so excited! Neither of us are quite sure why you called her Aunt Pillow that one time though. That was pretty funny!
Love, Mama
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