Spring fever

Spring is in bloom and the neighborhood is alive again with people enjoying the amazing weather and fresh air. Young couples are everywhere holding hands and staring gaga at each other. Seeing them sure brings back memories. I am so glad I had the experience of young love - and forever grateful for the amazing gift it is to love your dad.

I remember my first attachment with treasured fondness. It was simple, innocent, and beautiful. Reciprocated adoration is powerful and the first time you feel it is not something you ever forget. He gave me my first kiss when I was 15 years old and it was a moment of pure magic.

A lot of stops and starts, ups and downs, brilliant moments, and startling humiliations later - I met your dad. I knew he was the one when he made me feel the magic - along with an amazing sense of calm - just being near him. When he told me he loved me and asked me to marry him, every color in the world got a little brighter. I still feel that spark and love him dearly for everything he is. He is my soul and life; I am his. He is easily the best thing that has ever happened to me; you two are a distant second.

Do I want all of this for both of you? Absolutely. Does it scare the bejesus out of me? Absolutely! Undoubtedly more so as we get closer to your adolescent years.

I was cautious and lucky (!) enough to make it through early relationships without permanent scars or awful mistakes. But it wasn't easy and I had my heart and soul ripped out more than once. I don't like thinking of either of you going the emotional ups and downs that come with crushes and dating but they are somewhat inevitable when you enter the arena of young love.

And then there is pregnancy, venereal disease (ack!), photos on the Internet - and all kinds of nightmares that can cause a lifetime of regret. I managed to avoid those pains but I was close enough to sufferers to see the downside of love can be costly and permanent. Making it through the gauntlet is certainly no sure thing and seeing you caught in those situations breaks my heart just thinking about it.

Plus, after all the blood, sweat, and tears we will put into raising you, seeing you fall in love with someone less than worthy would be a disaster. Heaven help me if you choose to date someone I can't stand, or worse - someone who isn't good to you.

So please, take it slow. Lasting love takes more maturity and perspective than you will have in your teens. It is important for you to develop and learn about yourself during those years so you will be ready when the right chance comes along. Trust that lifelong love will find you - hopefully for all of our sakes, after you are 25. At least 21? Well, a mom can hope.

When you are lucky enough to feel a true spark with any amazing person, relax and savor the small things - holding hands, sitting close, honest conversation, shared laughs, dancing. Trust that there will be plenty of time for the big stuff later. Rushing through means you miss out.

Honesty and respect always matter. Anyone who doesn't give you both, doesn't truly love you. Be uncompromising in giving them to yourself and expecting them from others.

Keep an open mind to the advice of true friends and those who love you. Try to understand that we want what is best for you (how did I end up on this side of the cliche? Beware, you will too!).

Keep your wits about you. Love is intoxicating enough. Bringing any drugs and alcohol into the situation can quickly confuse things and ruin what is real.

Through it all, mind your curfew, be honest with your parents, and please, please, try not to do anything stupid.

Love,
Mama

Mr. Smiles

Henry - you are a smiley baby! I could swear you have been smiling from the beginning. Others started to believe me around two weeks and now everyone agrees - you are one happy guy!

You are also a friendly baby. You seem to listen to us talking to you and try to talk back. Your little howling "agoo" sound is so sweet. I can't wait to hear more.

Henry's birth announcement

The first 6 weeks - siblings 21 months apart

I had a strong inkling that this first while was going to be tough. Every mother that I have talked to with kids 20-24 months apart has shared harsh warnings and sympathy - along with very few hints at smooth sailing until turning that first year mark.

The exception was Grandma Crow who tells me the first year with your dad and Jarrod (also 21 months apart) was wonderful. I was very encouraged by that - until I realized she experienced it with her mother, father, and teen sisters living next door! Sadly, her situation hardly compares to mine.

Well, the first six weeks have proven wonderful - but extremely challenging. Aside from adapting to the logistics of two versus one, the main problem is that I cannot leave the two of you alone together for a moment without fear of the baby being clobbered by his "loving" sister.

Lucy, you absolutely mean well and don't intentionally hurt Henry. You clearly love your brother and want to help out, but even your best attempts at being gentle break down after a few minutes and you could easily hurt Henry to a dangerous point. I think it is particularly problematic for us because you want to play with Henry more than anything or anyone else. If he us in the vicinity, you will not leave him alone. And the novelty does no seem to be wearing off.

I assume it will get better and you can someday be in the same room without monitoring, but literally 10 seconds could mean an emergency room visit right now.

Henry, you are starting to return some of the love. You have big smiles when Lucy is around and your hands shake with excitement when she clamors over you. It breaks down pretty quickly though and you both end up crying when loving kisses and hugs get a little too rough.

Sad situation indeed. Time will fix it but I am facing now that it may be several months before we get to a happy point where I can turn my back for a nanosecond. In the meantime, I continue to need a lot more babysitting help that I expected and your dad and I don't get much time to one another as we are often splitting you between us.

Cousins!

You've had an absolute blast with your cousins this trip. I know you are going to be asking to play with them everyday when we go home. You have also come close to driving them crazy by giving them constant hugs and kisses. Yes - it is possible to kill by affection. Your brother is in danger every day.

Here is the gang with Millie's Easter bunny. Yup - you're eating his carrots. Fun times!

Henry's blessing

We want you to know that your heavenly and earthly families love and cherish you. They want you to grow and develop, they will be there for you to give you guidance and teaching, advice and inspiration.

I bless your ears to hear and learn those things that will make you a better person.

I bless your back to be strong to withstand temptation and those things that would bring you down. I bless you with the strength to lift others up.

I bless your hands that they may be actively engaged in good works. That they will help you show compassion and give peace and comfort to others.

I bless your tongue that you may speak with strength and conviction and truth; that you may be a mouthpiece for those who can not speak for themselves. I bless you that you will use your words to help others to grow and learn.

I bless your eyes to see and appreciate the beauty in the world and to see the beauty in others and appreciate it.

I bless your legs that they may be strong to carry you on this journey, that they may take you places and help you experience others’ customs and cultures.

I bless your mind that you will learn and take those experiences to create wisdom. I bless you with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to learn.

I bless your heart that it will be filled with that greatest of all Christ’s teachings: to love one another. That that love can give purpose to and drive your blessings, talents, and abilities so that you will be a source for good to others on their journey through life.

Please know that your family loves you very much.

As given by your father with the help of Uncles David, Will, George and Sean; Great Uncle Russell; and Bishop Young from our home ward. The blessing took place on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, among family at Grandma's house in Salt Lake City.

Lucy's Grinchy Easter

The Easter Bunny brought you a Nemo/Princess/Grinch fantasy. And boy was it a hit! You really love the Grinch doll and have been sleeping with it ever since Easter.

Our favorite part was when you couldn't figure out how to open the plastic eggs - you kept asking "How do you open this?" to us. When we weren't helpful, you took one over and asked the Grinch.