Dear Avery at 4 months

Dear Avery,

The thing that interests you most so far since your short stay on earth thus far is people. Your whole face lights up when someone bends over you to talk with you. Your stomach arches upward and your legs kick as if you are compensating for the lack of words with whole body movement. While Zealand also watched our mouths intensely in those early months, it seemed he was most interested in our mouths when they were chewing food. I knew he was going to love eating and have no trouble with that spoon. And, sure enough! You, on the other hand, watch our mouths for the words and sounds they are forming.

While we talk to you, your tongue moves around as if you are trying to mimic the motion of our tongues as our mouths form words. I have a feeling that your desire to communicate with such eagerness is partially due to the fact that you are getting less attention than Zealand did when he was your age. With Zealand it seemed as though we huddled around him trying to eke out a smile or a giggle. As a result, or so it seemed, smiles were less forthcoming. We had to earn them.

I do not mean to suggest that we are neglecting you, we are not. It is just a different ballgame parenting two children at the same time. For better, and for worse. I definitely think that you are benefiting in other ways from being second in the line up.

I continue to try and make time for just us each and every day. After I put Zealand down for his afternoon nap I spend some with you on our bed. I often read poetry to you during this time. It is nice for mama to sneak in a little reading during the day.

I am not sure if it has been mentioned but you are a total giggle puss. It doesn't take much at all for me to get you laughing full belly. And, you will often mix in a loud shriek of excitement and delight. There is nothing in the world cuter than seeing you all flutter with giggles and shrieks. It is very flattering to mama to think she can still be funny now and again.

I should also mention here that your big brother is becoming a softie for you. Not difficult to do, but a two year old used to all the attention? This is a testament to just how darn cute and lovable you are, I like to think. He becomes very concerned when you are crying and thinks it is the neatest when your tiny feet touch his arm - he call them "tickle feet."

We all love you, Baby Wavy, or little mouse as you are known around these parts. You are a gentle and soft presence in our family who, I think, adds an element we now cannot live without.

I love you,

Mama