2 on the 19th

Dear Hughie,

I remember when you were small enough Daddy and I could hold you with just one hand.  You were tiny enough you could fit in a bucket.  Your cries were quiet and you had a mellow demeanor.

Not much about me has changed since you were in my belly.  I have the same job, same hair cut and same ol' personality.  Before you were born I wondered if you would be a boy or a girl, wondered if you would be petite like your bro or a baby who would sleep through the night.  After you were born I wondered if your blue eyes would change and if you would stay plump and easy-peasy.  Now that you are two, many of my questions and wonders have been answered.

1 year old

Your mellow personality has changed. You are quite the boy.  You know what you want, you are loud and powerful.

There is too much to love and adore about you.
My heart melts and swells when I say "Come here, belly to belly" and you come and make sure you press your big round belly into mine and we share a full body hug.  The highlight of my day is when I rock you at night and say "I love you Hugh Lou" and you say "Ya".  Then I ask you who you love and you start to list all the people you love.  You give great kisses and instead of saying sorry, you tilt your head in for just a little head touch.

You differ from your big brother which I just can't believe.  Shouldn't you be just like him? You came from the same place!  Your eyes are much more blue-just like your dad.  Your hair is the blondest hair in our whole family.  You love fruit but struggle to eat your veggies, and you won't even touch most meat or noodle dish.  Eli was never picky, and although you copy every little thing your big brother does, you do not copy him with your eating habits.  I think you take after your big cousin Sydney, by asking for snacks ALL. DAY. LONG.  You want sugary cereals, candy, chips, crackers and anything in a glass container.  You know right the snack drawer is.  Once the snack is in 1 bowl, you always grab another and transfer it by pour it on the floor into the new bowl.

Your favorite words and phrases are "Mar-o Guy"  (Mario Guys),   Boo Boo Boo (Angry Bird),  Eeee-iiiii  (Eli), wan dat, wan dat, wan dat (I want that), dane-do (thank you), chi-cah-gho (Jingle bells), bankie (blankie), Manana (banana), mil-kah (milk), chaaaa-eeeee (charley). Boos (Boots)

 

Hugh-Lou---these are all things I never ever want to forget about you.  I get a big ol' lump in my throat to know that some day I won't be able to hear you, see your or touch your soft baby skin.  I'm not ready for you to grow up. I need you to stay right by me all the time.  

You are left handed.  You love to shake one foot while you are in your highchair.  When you get your nuk (only at nap bed time) you immediately twirl your hair with  your fingers.  When a long blonde strand gets stuck on your hand you love to watch my struggle to untangle from your sticky fingers.

You love Mickey Mouse.  Mario.  Angry Birds. You listen to book after book before your bedtime and you are a dream to put down. But you don't dream through the night-you wake up and cry throughout the night (yes still).  You can sing specific words to a lot of current pop tunes.  And you throw a strong tantrum like the best of them.

 

You are sassy.  You are assertive.  You are brave.  You are fun.  Your smile lights up a room.  You are passionate.  And I can't wait to find out what you pour heart and soul into throughout your life.  I will back you. No matter what you decide to do, I will be there. I will clap so hard my hands will burn and scream encouraging words until my throat hurts. I will hold your hand and I will push you out there.  I want you to learn from your own mistakes but I want to be there to pick you up for any and every emotion you experience.   I will do a lot of it with tears in my eyes.  I will brag to my friends and family and obsessively talk about you and all your Hugh-Lou-ness.

Happy 2nd birthday to you Hugh Robert.  Love doesn't seem to do it justice.  You are just so much of everything I ever need.  

Love,
Mom

PS Here is a short clip of your happiness.  Disclaimer----if you don't want to see any little naked baby in the tub-don't watch.  I tried realllllly hard to not get too much of Eli in the shot because he wouldn't stay sitting down so just keep your eyes focused on the birthday boy!