Two years ago when tucker was a first grader, his teacher had a great idea for celebrating Valentines Day. The parents were to compose a letter to their children, send it in, and they would open it and read it on valentines day. What a special idea-- an opportunity to sit down and put all those random thoughts, special moments, little quirks on paper. That letter may have been the easiest thing I've ever written, and it was so fun and was so appreciated by Tucker that I thought I would definitely do it for Tanner when he was in first grade. Well . . . Valentine's Day of Tanner's first grade year has come and gone and no letter. So it's a litte late, but here goes . . .
Happy valentine's Day, Tanner! I don't even know where to start. The second baby is supposed to be the easy one, but you let us know EARLY on that that would not be the case. You skipped the whole 9 months thing and were delivered at 25 weeks, spent 17 weeks in the hospital, and didn't come home until we knew infant CPR, how to read a chest X-ray, what a pick line is, and how to attach a pulse Oxygen monitor and an apnea monitor to a fragile body that weighs less than 2 pounds. But then. . . they let you come home and I was more scared than i was the first time I brought home a baby. From there, though, you grew and grew into a Tough little army crawler who could hold his own with anyone. And much to my surprise, you were easy.
You were easy and sweet, but you were/are also tough, and gosh you love to snuggle and according to some people "give the best hugs!" You aren't afraid to stand up for yourself, but you could also rock for hours and never wanted to be put down. I watched more 80's reruns during your naptime those first two years, but looking back, I'm glad I didn't put you in that baby bed each afternoon. We had 17 weeks to make up for:-)!
Then came the toddler version of tanner. Your wardrobe for about 4 years consisted of costumes or pajamas. Bodybuilders at Gold's Gym eyed us as we walked in each morning, curious as to what the day's choice would be. I marveled at your individuality and your complete lack of care for what people thought. You're still that way today!
I love that you care for others so much. Your preschool teacher told me often of how you kept their special needs student "on task," never wanting him to get in trouble. You cried when Simon was mean to a contestant on American Idol, and you asked if you could get some of your money out of the bank to buy your neighbor friend a bike. You love doing chain prayers at night, giving and receiving Two-armed hugs (one arm hugs just aren't the same), and you love, love, love your brothers!!
YOu are a Lego-building, trampoline jumping, bike riding 7 year old now, who takes my breath away every day. You love to joke, ride your scooter, watch Scooby-Doo, and hang out with ME, even when Daddy and Tucker are at the school with the big boys. You always say it's because you don't want me to be lonely--and I love that. YOu are what every Mom dreams of and I know that whatever you choose to do in life, you will be the best at it. I Love You and am so proud to be your Mom. Happy Valentine's Day!
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