Dear Davis: Months 8, 9, & 10

Dear Davis,

I'm sorry I'm cramming three very fulfilling, hectic, and big months for you into one post, but I wanted to get something on the books.

We had a rough winter. I'm not going to sugar coat it. After some ups and downs, sick weeks and healthy stretches, you got the flu. Both strains of the flu. At the same time. Your doctor couldn't believe what a champ you were considering how much stress that was on your little body. It was hard to witness, as you slept a lot and were just so sad. We saw your temp rise to digits we've never seen before and had to call the children's hospital one night. Thank you for rallying, Davis. It was such a blessing seeing you come back to life and be your jolly self once again.

Since the last time I wrote, our dog and cat ended up at the emergency vet. Bowen broke a toenail, survived, and embarrassingly wore a cone for a week. Tragically, Bronx encountered a car in front of our house, and we had to say goodbye to our feline. I always thought I would be sending my kids off to college and still be shooing Bronx away from me. We never saw eye-to-eye, as I'm sure he viewed me as the person who stole his best friend, but he was always very loving toward Fraser and you. It's weird not having him around, and you'll never really know Bronxie cat.

You started eating real food, which took considerably longer than Fraser to get the hang of...I'll blame all your illnesses. You started scooting and army crawling recently, too. But no teeth yet. Eek. Let's see...what else? You enjoyed a special night of swimming with friends without your sister (who was sick at the time, imagine that). We witnessed your first snow (you loved it), Dad's 35th birthday, snowshoeing in Hood River for my birthday, and your first Valentine's and St. Patrick's holidays. We got outside as much as possible, hit the gym often (despite the hotbed of germs), and watched a lot of hoops. You're riding in a grocery cart like a big boy now and trying to crawl away from your big sister.

Thanks for taking long, hard naps. For waving with your entire arm. For kicking your legs and dancing and wiggling your body when we sing certain songs. For--just like Fraser--loving Itsy, Bitsy Spider. For changing your mood the minute we get out into nature. For being as happy as can be to go to any of the ladies at church or the gym. You are a sweet soul, and I just can't imagine you being anybody but you,.

We love, you, Davis Norman.

Love,
Mom

Dear Davis: Months 5, 6, & 7

Dear Davis, 

Before the calendar flips to February, oh Davy boy, I wanted to jot a quick note capturing the last few months.

We’ve learned you’re certainly different than your sister. We knew this with your jolly demeanor, yes, but your habits are night and day. You’ve been through a lot of sickness beginning at month 4—something we didn’t even touch until Fraser was more than a year old. You’ve been a real trouper through all of it, that’s for sure. Everyone knows when something just isn’t right with you because you aren’t your smiley cherub self. 

Let’s get graphic for a second, for the sake of documentation, shall we? Starting on Thanksgiving, and as a result of a virus (that’s what the doc said, anyway), you pooped in every diaper for three weeks straight. You poor little thing. Then, we started introducing solids, and you decided to go the opposite route and got backed up for nine days in a row…twice. It’s been tricky figuring out your eating habits and what works for you, which is a far cry from Iron Gut Fraser. 

When you’re done, you’re done, and that ranges from when you’re awake to when you want to sleep…when you’re hungry to when you’re full…when you’re having fun playing to when you just want to be picked up and held. You are expressive, but happy-go-lucky most of the time. 

You were a doll when we went to see Santa Claus, staring at your screaming sister like she was a crazy person. You loved Christmas Eve mass (until you were done!), and you rallied and stayed up late with all the relatives.

You graduated to the “movers” room at the gym far before I was ready. Instead of walking you back and checking in on all the breaths you took when we were apart, I just hand you over and hope you have a good time. You’re always smiling and enjoying yourself when I come pick you up, and it’s such a relief to me. We had a horrible time leaving Fraser when she was your age. See what I mean? You’re so different. 

You take great naps, and you like riding in the car. You love your nanas and your papa/poppi. You make a lot of people smile—at the grocery store, church, moms’ group, out on walks, etc. Thanks for going with the flow and being such a tough little cookie when you’re feeling down. Your sister can’t wait till you can run around with her. For now, you happily grab handfuls of her hair when she takes your toys, and your dad and I just can’t wait to see your relationship develop over time. 

We love you, Davis Norman. Thanks for being you. 

Love,
Mom