Saturday, January 9, 2010

Happy Birthday, Connor & Merasia ♥

Dear Connor & Merasia,

A year and a half ago, our lives changed forever. After enduring 3 years of trying to get pregnant and 4 miscarriages, I took a pregnancy test. It was late morning, and after waiting the recommended 3 minutes to read the results, it was negative. I thought that was it, we weren't pregnant. Again. That night, I vowed to hold my pee until first thing in the morning. I woke up at 6 or 6:30 and took a test. I laid back down in bed, staring at the clock for 3 minutes to pass. Upon first glance, the test looked negative. I set myself up for the disappointment all over again. Before I threw the test away, I took one last, good, long look at it under the bathroom light...and...could it be? NO. NO WAY. Is that a SECOND line...or just my imagination? I woke daddy up, so he could look, and he said he saw it without it being under a light. IT WAS POSITIVE. Very faint, but POSITIVE.

We were giddy with excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and in shock that it finally happened for us! We spent the next 8.5 months getting ready for you. We went to all the appointments, had a million ultrasounds done, asked all the questions, and read all the books. We bought all the stuff we would need for your arrival...times TWO. Two bassinets, two cribs, two car seats, a double stroller, and the list goes on and on.

We were told your arrival would be around the February 12, for a full 40 weeks of pregnancy. But, we planned for you to arrive a little while early, a week or two, maybe even three full weeks early. But, I ended up in the hospital at 32 weeks pregnant for preterm labor. I was an hour and a half away from where we live, and had to stay in the hospital until you were born, or at least until I made it far enough in my pregnancy where it would be safe to go home and deliver at our regular hospital.

After three longs, stressful, hectic, and emotional weeks in the hospital, I was allowed to go home, still very pregnant! We went to bed that night at 9:00 p.m., and at midnight, my water broke. 4 hours later, you, Connor, were placed on my chest, and we met for the first time. You were perfect. Another 30 minutes later, you, Merasia, were placed on my chest, and we met for the first time. It was the most amazing, beautiful, emotional experience of our lives, and we'll never forget it.

We've spent this first year making important decisions that were good for you and your well being, we've cared for you, nurtured you, taught you, and learned from you. You make everyday worth living to the fullest, and you make everyday a little more brighter with your endless supply of smiles, giggles, and shenanigans.

Now, Connor, you are crawling all over the place. You aren't yet walking, but you are pulling up to stand on anything and everything. You have 9 teeth, one of which is your (rather big) first year molar. You had your first Christmas a few weeks ago, and you were absolutely adorable, tearing apart each present just to crawl away and play by yourself with your bits of wrapping paper you managed to steal away. You sleep through the night, and take two wonderful naps during the day. You have an appetite like no other, and shove as much food as possible into your itty bitty mouth. You spent 3 days trying hard to breast feed, and then were on formula for your whole first year. It worked better for us, and you are just as healthy as any breast fed baby there is, in my opinion and in your doctor's opinion. You have been in disposable diapers from day one, and we wouldn't have it any other way. You've (accidently, I might add) fallen off mommy and daddy's bed twice, (once with mommy, once home alone with daddy), and have even managed to escape out of your crib once, but without a bruise on you. You have a temper like your daddy's, (hehe), and when your sister or one of us takes a toy or food away before you are done with it, you arch your back, thump the floor, and scream at the top of your lungs. You thoroughly enjoy bath time and brushing your own teeth. You shake your head no, you say "da-da," "ma-ma," "ba-ba," among other jibbers and babbles. You clap and wave, laugh and giggle, and give wonderful, precious (yet slimy) open mouth kisses.

Now, Merasia, you are crawling and attempting to walk all over the place. You pull up to stand on anything and everything, and stand alone and take a few steps when you dare. You have 5 teeth, and had your first Christmas a few weeks ago. You were so precious as you tore into each present and excitedly clapped your hands at every single gift. You sleep through the night, and take two wonderful naps during the day. Sometimes, you have your sleepless moments, but for the most part, they are few and far between. You love to eat, but sometimes can be picky, just like your mom. You spent 3 days trying hard to breast feed, and then were on formula for your whole first year. It worked better for us, and you are just as healthy as any breast fed baby there is, in my opinion and in your doctor's opinion. You have been in disposable diapers from day one, and we wouldn't have it any other way. You've never fallen off of mommy and daddy's bed like your brother has, but you have once (accidently, I might add) fallen out of your car seat wile you were sitting in it on the floor, unbuckled. You're a bit dramatic at times, but we wouldn't change that. You thoroughly enjoy bath time and brushing your own teeth. You say "da-da," "ma-ma," "ba-ba," "hiiii," and other jibbers and babbles. You clap and wave, laugh and giggle, and give wonderful, precious (yet slimy) open mouth kisses.

We will be setting off soon to celebrate your birthday with friends and family. You'll eat your first bite of cake and ice cream, and of course open some cool new presents.

Connor, you weigh 20 pounds, and are 31 inches tall.

Merasia, you weigh 21.5 pounds, and are 30 inches tall.

You both wear between a size 4-5 shoe, but can squeeze into a 3 if necessary. ;-)

You are the most beautiful, wonderful, precious babies we have ever seen, and we could never imagine the world or our life without you in it. You never cease to amaze us and we look forward to the adventures in store as we embark on our second year with you two.

We love you.

2 comments:

~Heather A~ said...

wow--- it feels like i just read a very similar letter..........HMMMM....

Blake said...

lol whatever. i don't have time for b.s. lol lol lol