(Sorry Aiden, we’re two days late in posting this but we’re pretty important people and we have lives too! Just kidding. Kinda. Here’s a letter from dad and I put together a slideshow of your best moments thus far. I love you little man.)

Happy 6 month…day…!

I missed the first five, so I feel like I have some catching up to do. Luckily, you’ve almost completely stopped screaming in terror whenever I touch you, and you even laugh at my shenanigans every once in a while. I can hear you laughing with your mom right now and I can’t help but smile. I love holding you, and I love when you look into my eyes and laugh. Seeing you happy makes my day.

I can’t wait to be able to do more for you than just make you laugh, since I can’t even imagine how that would make me feel. I can see your intelligence in your eyes, and I can’t wait to see the kind of man you’ll grow up to be.

I love you, Aiden.
-Your dad

Dear Aiden,

One of my fears of becoming a new mom was that you wouldn’t associate me with being your mother.

For the first three months of your life I shared caregiving responsibilities with my mom and sister. My mom especially was dedicated to making sure you stayed a really happy baby and you took all your naps in her arms. I didn’t mind because it allowed me to eat my meals, take a shower once every few days, and take naps myself. She didn’t mind either, she loves being your grandma.

In your second month I nursed you every two hours. You were a hungry mofo, you know. Everytime I nursed, changed your diaper, bathed, or spend any amount of time alone with you I would remind you who I am.

“Hi Aiden! I’m your mommy! MOMMY.“

I basically reintroduced myself to you everytime we had contact.

Seriously, I was paranoidworried that my mom was spending more quality time with you than I was and in turn you’d see her as a mother figure instead of me. I was not going to let that happen. NEVER. I wanted to make sure you knew exactly who I was and didn’t forget it.

Now you know the word “mommy” whenever someone says it and you know whose face to look for. Mommy feeds you. Mommy makes you smile. You expect to be put to bed by your mommy.

I think my plan worked. A little too well.

I can’t even go out on a date with your dad because I need to be home by 9 pm or else you start screaming BLOODY MURDER!!!!!!!! AN OLD LADY IS TRYING TO PUT ME TO BED!! DOES NOT COMPUTE! DOES NOT COMPUTE!

You’re only 5 months old but you’re already manipulative and controlling. Congratulations.

I still love you and your thunder thighs. Happy 5 months!

Love,
Mommy

OH MY GAH AIDEN!!

Kid, you are still amazing after another month on this earth. I don’t know what to say besides I love you.

I think it’s great you’re growing and becoming more of a unique person every day. You’ve discovered your voice and you’re definitely using it every waking moment. I love having nonsensical conversations with you. The sounds that come out of your mouth are too cute. I wish I could bottle them up and when you’re older and I’m feeling sad I can listen to your sweet baby sounds and cheer myself up.

I remember listening to the Mates of State‘s Bring it Back album for the first time and hearing their daughter Magnolia’s baby sounds in a song that Kori and Jason wrote for her. I thought it was the most adorable and endearing thing ever. I wanted to do that. Kind of. I don’t have my own band and am not recording an album, but I can still record your beautiful voice to revisit anytime I want.

If I didn’t have a reason for living before, now I do. You’re my everything. You’re my whole world right now. Whatever my baby wants, my baby gets. And my baby only gets the best. Seriously, have you seen my credit card bill? I spend all my money on you!

I’m glad you’re here.

Since the wreck, I know more what you need
You need me to put you in the trees
I know we haven’t said enough
But I know I’ve never loved this much

“Nature and the Wreck” by Mates of State

Dear Aiden,

You went from crybaby to cute crybaby to really cute crybaby in three months. I’ll tell you now like I tell you every day, you are the most beautiful baby I’ve ever met.

I love to greet you in the morning. Even though I see you all day and throughout the night, when a new day breaks and I see the morning light shining on your smiling face it’s as if I’m seeing you for the first time. Each day you’re growing so each day there’s something slightly different about you.

The first couple months were difficult trying to take care of someone who needed constant attention every minute of the day (literally) but I forced myself to enjoy every minute of it. I don’t know if being a preemie has something to do with the fact that you can’t stand being alone, even while sleeping, or maybe you just love laying on a human pillow. Nonetheless, you’ve already logged in many nap time hours on your mom, auntie Jane, and grandma. You nurse then take a nap on grandma, you nurse then take a nap on auntie, you nurse then take a nap with mommy. Then you sleep at night with mommy holding your hand. Boy you’ve got it good.

Now you’re so animated. You’re making the cutest noises, you laugh at everything, and you make eye contact as if you’re staring into my soul. I’d like to think that when you smile at me you’re saying to yourself, “I love my mommy,” but I’m pretty sure you’re actually thinking, “I’ve got a dirty bomb ready to drop into my diaper in a couple minutes.”

You’re strong too. You’re my little meathead. You’ve got the fattest thighs I’ve ever seen but there must be some muscle under all that baby fat because you can kick. You’ve got tantrum-ready legs. Speaking of tantrums, you throw some good ones when you’re really hungry or tired. You aunties know they can’t play around when you throw your head back, arch your back, and your legs straighten out to start kicking. Fortunately your mom knows she can make you stop by either popping a boob or pacifier in your mouth. I’m not gonna lie, you’re so cute even in tantrum mode.

You amaze me. I love you.

Love,
Mom

(turn up the volume to hear him snore!)

Dear Aiden,

     I’m sorry I didn’t write this on the 23rd because I was busy being your mommy but I did tell you, “Happy Two months old!” in person. I’m so happy that you’ve lived on this earth for two months! I can’t wait for many more months to come.

     In such a short amount of time you’ve grown so much already. Physically, you’re plump. You have a double chin. Your wrists are barely visible between your hands and forearms. Your thighs have rolls! I have to dig deep to make sure I’ve cleaned you up when I change your diaper. Your limbs are so chubby that you’ve now given Auntie Jane a reason to call you names.

     You also developed a preference for certain things. After I nurse, you need to be held over the right shoulder to fall asleep. No matter who holds you, your head has to be resting on the right shoulder and your arms and legs in the weirdest positions that do not look comfortable, but yet is perfect for you.

     I also let you sleep on your side sometimes. I think I’m breaking a parenting rule by doing that but you sleep so well that way. You eventually shift onto your back so i’m not that worried of something bad happening. Plus I keep you near and check on you every five minutes to make sure you’re still breathing.

     You are honestly cute in every way imaginable. The sounds you make while you sleep, your constant fist pumping, and your tiny toes. Everyone you’ve met has said it. Even random people on Facebook say you’re cute. It’s decided. You’re cute. YOU’RE SO CUTE IT HURTS.

I love you, peanut.

Love,
mama

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