Dear Miles,

Dear Miles,

It's your fifth birthday. Another trip around the sun. You tell me about the trips around the sun we have to take to get older. You're obsessed with birthdays, whose is next, when you will get presents, when you get to share presents.

It's been a challenging year. You started school! Pre-Kindergarten! You are an achiever. You are just learning to read! It is very exciting for all of us. You are so proud of your accomplishments. And you should be!

Four was a funny age. I don't know about all four year olds but I know about you. You don't lack self esteem. You are the fastest, the best, the biggest, the strongest. Faster than a shinkansen! Stronger than me! The best scooter rider on the block (even on your first day riding a scooter)!

You can do math in your head. You love to help: help clean, help cook, help install the curtain rod!

Seeing you evolve into a big brother has been a joy. True, you have tried to ride Will like a horse on more than one occasion, but mostly, you take really good care of him. You hug him and share with him, and help Dad and I with the baby tasks. Your teacher, Ms. Lee, says you never stop talking about him.

School has been a mixed bag. It's the first year you've ever had to wait your turn or not be the center of someone's attention. You have trouble waiting. You want your way. Those life skills of waiting and patience may come. And it's possible your stubborness will allow you to achieve great things in life. I hope! Maybe next year you'll hold off on throwing your shoes at teachers, though. Despite the hiccups we've had at school, I think you're a neat kid. Smart, engaged, sweet natured, with an avid interest in all parts of the world. The adults and kids at school adore you! Your name rings out in the halls at school. The teachers think you're fascinating and funny. The kids like to pretend and play with you. And truly, at this point, that's all that matters.

I love you Miles. I love your snuggles, your thoughtfulness, your sincerity.

I'm excited for what the next year will bring!


Love,
Mama

Dear Will,

You are one today. One year old. 365 days on this earth.

A year ago, I knew I was having a baby. I had planned it all out. I knew the day and time you would enter this world. But I didn't know you. And I can't control everything (something I'm still learning). Gosh, you were a surprise! My whole pregnancy, I pictured another Miles. A mini Miles. A second Miles.

Instead of a second Miles, you came out! All eight pounds, 14 ounces of you! You were two whole pounds bigger than your brother when he was born! You had light eyes and... was it true?... reddish hair! What a wonderful, beautiful, joyous day the day we met you!

And you've continued to not be Miles. Becoming a mother of two has been surreal for me. That our genes could mix in ways that are so different continues to amaze me. You're calm and happy and a little bit shy. You're busy and quick and funny. Your personality is starting to show. You have a full body laugh; you throw your head back, mouth open, and fill the room with your perfect laugh.

Oh, and how offended you get when it's early in the evening and all your patience is gone. I say no and you are just so upset. You seem very emotionally in tune with your family. If your brother is crying, so are you. I love that you have empathy at one year. It's fascinating and quite interesting to watch.

I'm excited to see how you continue to change and develop. Not just over the next year but throughout your life. I'm excited to see how our genes made these two boys and how they will be alike. And how they will be different.

I love you so. Will, I love you so.


Love,
Mama