A love letter to my Buggle

Dear Buggle,

I'm having so many days lately where, after you've gone to bed, I come downstairs and say to Daddy "Wow. Owen is just such a joy. What a great kid."

I have to admit, when you were two, you were a bit trying. But at three, you're such a big boy. You're so articulate. You're funny. You're a big helper. You (most of the time) are a great listener. You're a wonderful and loving big brother.

You're such a smart little kid. You find letters and numbers everywhere. I love when you take a bite of a cracker and say "Look! It's an L!" Hee. You've become so imaginative. I love watching you play, and playing with you. I really love coloring with you. I can tell you're going to be a great athlete one day too. You are amazing at sports, you always have been (clearly, you got this from your father, not me). I also have a great time with you in the kitchen. Today we made banana bread together. You always want to help me make dinner. Even though I make most of dinner while you, Alison, and Daddy are driving home from school, I keep little jobs aside just for you to do with me.

I love that you're so great with your sister. Mommy and Daddy were a little apprehensive about what it was going to be like once we brought a new baby home. When I was pregnant and hormonal, I cried about it all the time. After all, it had just been the three of us for three years. Were you going to resent that you were sharing the spotlight with another kid? Were you going to feel left out, or like I didn't have time for you anymore? I remember when I took you to the Big Brother/Big Sister class at the hospital, they sent us home with a little packet with some information about how to help our kids prepare for a new baby at home. One of the pages said "Mommy, it only takes five minutes to let me know you love me..." with all these little things I should remember to do with you. Oh, I cried so much after I read that. Was I really not even going to have five minutes for you, after you'd been the most important thing in my life up until then? Well, thankfully, it wasn't so bad. You loved Alison as soon as you saw her. We could barely keep you away from her. Every morning before you went to school, you wanted to come in and peek at her. "Can I just see her cute face?" It was so sweet (even though sometimes you woke her up - that was less sweet!). You were always very patient and understanding when I needed to take care of the baby. Your face lights up every time she smiles at you - which is often! - and hers lights up when she catches your eye. I can't wait to see how your relationship develops.

When you were born, I was so surprised - I didn't know I could love someone that much. But I do, and I love you more and more every day. I'm so lucky to get to be the Mommy of such a wonderful kid.

I love you, Buddy!

xoxoxo,

Mommy