Dear Naomi,

You are loved. Your are our biggest blessing. You are a miracle. You are perfect just the way you are. I want you to know this, every moment of every day.

Sometimes your Daddy and I wonder what kind of person you will grow into…we imagine that your love of food will land you on an episode of Chopped or since you are happiest in the water maybe you’ll be the next Michael Phelps and we’ll be cheering you on in the stands at the Olympics one day. The truth is, you don’t have to be an award winning chef, an Olympic athlete, or a talented artist living in NYC…you are loved and will always be loved no matter what.

The truth is we don’t need you to be a genius, or musically talented, a soccer star (Daddy is not being serious when he tells you that so don’t listen to it), beautiful, skinny, funny, or outgoing. Just be YOU. We’ll love you regardless. Yes even if you want to get a tattoo, move to China, become a vampire hunter, and decide you like girls and not boys…yeah sorry you can’t get us to love you less…but you might just have to deal with us sending you plane tickets to visit, stalking your facebook to find out about the latest girl you’ve been seeing, or asking you a million questions about what it really entails to be a vampire hunter. (Now please note in no way are we secretly hoping you move to China, like girls, or hunt those vampires)

Don’t be afraid to tell us who you are, or what you think, or ask questions you might be embarrased about. Ask away! Talk to us about everything and anything…we want to hear it all. (Ok maybe I’ll draw the line on endless chatter about boy band musicians, but other than that share away).

Naomi you are a child of God. There is nothing that you can become or do that will make God love you any more or any less. Nothing that you already are or will become is a surprise to God. It may surprise your Mommy and Daddy sometimes, but we’ll love you just as you are! 

The only real hope and request we have for you Naomi is for you to be kind and love and serve the Lord. Please always remember, every day, every minute, that there is no one in this world who deserves more or less respect, love and kindness than you do.  If you can do that…you will make your Mommy and Daddy proud beyond words. And even if or when you fail at that…guess what WE STILL LOVE YOU.

xoxo,

Mommy and Daddy

 

Dear Naomi,

Sometimes I look at you and just stand there in shock for awhile because I can’t understand how that itty bitty 6 lb 8oz baby that I used to hold in my arms, is now 14 months old (21 lbs and at the top of the height percentile) and running around the house. You are a full fledged “little person” with quite an interesting personality and a sense of humor just like your “Daa-Dee”. You are getting so smart and using words and sign language all the time. I love when you come to me and sign “eat” say “Mmmm” and then bolt to the kitchen so you can pick out your foods of choice. Don’t get me started on the strange combinations you like and I still can’t get over how you enjoy spicy food and not sweet stuff.

You are very social and love to say hello to everyone you see. If that someone doesn’t notice you waving and/or doesn’t wave back you get VERY angry and yell at them. (It’s definitely not nice manners, but when you aren’t looking it always makes me laugh). Lately you’ve become such a big cuddler and I’m taking advantage of it as much as possible. I love crawling into your bed with you and looking at the stars on your ceiling as you wave to them before you close your eyes. You usually take one of the extra pacifiers in your crib and hand it to me so I have one too. You are so sweet and kind it melts my heart.

You are obsessed with your “GiGi” (Grandma) and “GiGiGi” (Grandpa) right now. (Yes there is a difference and you make it quite clear…that extra Gi makes a big difference to you so we have to listen carefully) You insist on seeing them everyday. You march to the front door and yell at me to take you to their house as you bang on the door. It’s so hard to explain to you that sometimes they aren’t home and we can’t go, it usually ends with a big meltdown until I find something interesting to distract you with. I’m not sure we will ever be able to move anywhere without them being next door for you. You get mad enough with me if they aren’t home before you go to bed so you can say “Night/Night”. House hunting has officially gotten more difficult!

What else can I say… You are our fearless, dancing, always hungry, funny, beach bum,  kind hearted snuggle bug! We love you so much and feel so blessed to have you in our lives. We love you forever and always!!

xoxo,
Mommy

A “Mama Bear”

     The truth is…being a mommy, Naomi’s Mommy…is quite simply the most amazing and awesome experience there is. I take this role quite seriously! I mean after all this is my one shot to help turn her into a secure, kind, healthy and responsible citizen. It would be wonderful if I could help instill in her a love for reading, a passion for something, a desire to help others and most importantly a love for the Lord.  It’s not an easy task and the truth is no matter how hard I try, I may not succeed with everything on that list, but I will try my hardest anyways.

     Yes I’m a “Mama Bear” you mess with my cub, I’m bound to attack. Her and my husband are my world! While others dreamed about being a successful business person, doctor, or fashion designer…the truth is I just wanted to be a mom and an awesome wife. It’s hard for me to relate to the mom’s who want to go out for martini’s after work (not saying it’s wrong it’s just not for me)…when all I want to do is rush out the door to be with my husband and kid. I want to soak in their laughter, and smiles, hugs, kisses, and read Naomi as many stories as I can before it’s time for her to go to sleep. I miss enough of those moments when I’m at work, but it sure does make me appreciate them all the more when I’m with her.

     So to those people who don’t understand my rules when it comes to things like organic food, naps, other languages, no juice, toys, and/or all that other stuff…or maybe think it’s crazy that I fit my schedule around Naomi’s needs… just realize it’s me trying to do what I think is right for my child. I’ve got to do what I think is best for my child, otherwise I know one day I’ll have a load of regrets…

Our little beach babe!

It’s been awhile since my last post…Naomi is so much fun these days I’m having way too much trouble stepping away from her long enough to update this page and when she’s asleep I’m ready for a nap myself 😉

We definitely have a future surfer girl on our hands and I’m absolutely estatic about that! Naomi loves the ocean and life at the beach. Everyone notices the same thing…we’ve NEVER seen Naomi smile so much as she does now in NSB. She brings me over to her jogging stroller, taps on the seat and says “Wheeeee” when she wants to head back down to the ocean and doesn’t care about food or naps when she’s outside playing in the sand and surf. I love seeing her so happy and I”m not going to lie I love the beach life too. Waking up to a beautiful view every morning, splashing around in the ocean, and evening walks with my little family is the perfect way to spend our time together.

Here are some recent pics of our VERY HAPPY toddler since we’ve become a beach bum family: