Dear Fraser,
We've been a family of three for nine weeks. I think I'll stop saying, "I can't believe you're ours," and "time is flying," because I know that's just how the rest of our lives together is going to be.
We took you to Sunriver for your first breaths of Central Oregon air. You loved it, and we loved snuggling up with you for morning and evening fires in the fireplace, long walks in the chilly, crisp air, reading, sink baths, mountain bike rides (for dad), your first visit to a brewery and cider house, the Grand Illumination at the lodge, visiting with Auntie Whitney (although you were quite fussy for her!), your first official "Rock pic," and Sisters Coffee on the way to and from.
You were, again, such a champ in the car. You love being on wheels--whether that's in the car or the stroller, and you're also a big fan of me wearing you, even though your head still isn't quite strong enough not to bobble around. You just love looking back and forth and all around. Especially outside. You're getting stronger every day, loving short bursts of tummy time, SMILING (!!!), enjoying being naked on the changing table, reading books, taking baths, and the sound of the door opening when Dad comes home from work (amen, I say, me too!).
We took you to Albany for your first Thanksgiving. Nana B gave you a funny turkey dress that might have been a pinch too small for you, but you wore it and made everyone smile. You were a happy baby for your grandparents, great-grandparents, and friends of your Nanny's. We loved celebrating Thanksgiving because we had you, our most precious gift, to be thankful for this year.
The very next day, we raced to pick up our Christmas tree before your first Apple Cup (disappointing outcome--that's all I'll say). We've gone to the same farm since our first Christmas in this house, and we hope we can continue this tradition throughout your life. I know you won't understand or remember Christmas this year, but it seems so magical having you here with us. I bought you a stocking that's bigger than you, and I took you to see Santa right before your two-month doctor appointment. He was a magical Santa, and you didn't utter a peep. We know next year might be a different story...
And let me briefly say that your two-month appointment was harder on me than it was on you, I think. I know you were the one to get three shots in your thigh, but I've never heard you cry at that octave, and the color of your face matched your red corduroy Christmas dress. We found out you're quite long (99th percentile) but not too heavy. Your legs and arms are quite skinny, while your cheeks and your belly seem to be chunking up. You're growing and changing every day, and you're certainly showing us your sweet personality. I don't like to tell people what an easy baby you are. It's true we're not doing a whole lot, yet, but I'm just savoring all the little moments.
Earlier this month, we met up with all the new babies from your birthing prep class. All the other families welcomed little girls, too, and it was quite fun seeing the other new parents. I took you to a new moms' group at the hospital, also, and I think we'll go again, and I also want to try the moms' group at the church in our neighborhood. Speaking of church, you like that, too. You sleep straight through. Maybe it's the fact that it's always quite warm--er, stuffy, or maybe it's the music, or maybe it's the sermon...those used to put your Poppi to sleep, too. ;) You don't really care what we do, I've learned, as long as you are well fed.
We're quickly approaching Christmas, and it's been cold and snowy here. I can't help but think about years to come when you want to race out into the snow and be the "first tracks" just like your dad said he yearned for as a kid. We're quite excited to get you into your Christmas dress and show you off at Christmas Eve service, pass you around the dinner table, wake up on Christmas Day together, share our first little family memories, and head on down to see your grandparents in Albany. I hope I never forget these "firsts" with you.
I do think ahead a lot, to what it might be like when you're a little older. Then I stop myself because I already can't believe how quickly you turned from a tiny newborn to a bigger baby with a budding personality. Soon you won't be our little Frankenstein, as I read you'll outgrow that reflex. And I'm wondering just how long your hair will stick up in the back. You might outgrow that hairstyle, but I bet we'll keep calling you "Rooster." Oh, and you're almost too long for the bassinet, which just breaks my heart. I'm not ready for you to be in your own room, even though it is just across from ours.
Please stay little as long as you can, my dear. I love you more than words can say.
Love,
Mom
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| Your first Rock pic! |
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| Your first Thanksgiving! |
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| Nervous throughout your first Apple Cup. Cougs didn't give you much to cheer about. |
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| Meeting your friends Nora and Naomi. |
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| Your nana brought up photos of your dad when he was a baby. We weren't sure before, but now we know. You're your daddy's spitting image. |
