My Sweet Kendall,
Let me start off this letter by apologizing that this letter is so very late. As a second child, I was so determined to treat you the same as Emma, but I am human. I have been trying to write something for the last 2 weeks, but being a mom of two is hard work. The good news is that Emma never got a 10 week and 4 day letter, so you can’t say you aren’t getting some special treatment of your own! 😉
These last 2 months have certainly been different than expected. We had a little bit of a rough start, but that didn’t seem to bother you at all. You were quite a trooper and thoroughly enjoyed every ounce of alone time with your Mommy those first 11 days. As hard as that first week and a half was, I am extremely grateful that we got to know each other in a way most moms don’t ever get to know their second baby. God definitely turned a bad situation into a very good bonding time for us.
Since we’ve been home, you share a lot of your Mommy time with big sister Emma, but we still have our moments alone. You are the cuddler I prayed for, especially at night. There have only been a handful of nights you haven’t slept with me for at least a few hours, and to be honest, I am enjoying every minute. I admit that I don’t want it to go on forever — I miss your Daddy after all! — but for now, I know all too well how quickly you grow up. You also like your sling, which has been a lifesaver for me. It’s the only way I can take care of both you and your sister!
Speaking of your sister, you are very accepting of her and her sometimes “rough love.” Emma truly loves you so much that she doesn’t understand that squeezing you as hard as possible and laying on top of you to give you a hug might hurt a little. But you tolerate it, and you always seem to smile when she is around.
You have been smiling since you were 6 weeks old, revealing the adorable little dimple on your right cheek. I admit that I always wanted my children to have dimples, and I got one! It only makes your cute little face that much cuter! I simply have to smile at you or say your name, and your whole face lights up. This, of course, makes my face light up too!
Already you are showing me your personality. You are VERY sensitive and have a very sad cry when you haven’t been held for a while or when a noise is too loud or too harsh. I accidentally scared you once, and you cried for what felt like forever! You like to be talked to and would rather hold onto my finger than suck on a binkie. You love warm baths, and you enjoy your diaper changes a lot. I think touch might be your love language!
Unfortunately, you have been given the same yucky tummy as your sister, so Mommy is on a pretty strict nursing diet. In addition to dairy and soy, I am also staying away from gluten, corn, egg, peanut and tomato. That leaves little to eat for now, but I’m hoping that changes as you and your tummy mature.
You do, however, like to nurse much more than your sister ever did. Most of the time, we have nice, relaxing feedings that are pretty textbook. I am really enjoying every minute…which is why the diet is so worth it. You are so worth it!
You also seem to have a pretty bad case of silent reflux, so you have a hard time sleeping on your back. Until your medication starts helping, you sleep in your swing or on Mommy (and sometimes Daddy). It’s a good thing your sister taught me how to sleep sitting straight up!
While you seem to be more calm than your sister in many ways, you have been rolling over since 6 weeks and have a grasp to be reckoned with. You love to use your hands, and in the past week, you seem to have discovered them. I often catch you with fists clenched tight in the air, or you are grabbing or holding on to something — especially my hair.
It has been so much fun watching you develop these past few months, but it is going way too fast. I am trying to savor every moment, remembering that you will be 2 years old before I know it.
Miss Kendall, words can’t express how much I love you. You are my little sweetheart, and God has carved a very special place for you in my heart. I am more complete now that you are a part of my life.
