Super Baby vs. the Common Cold

Before we begin, we have to shout out to the Excellent Family, who welcomed their newest superhero team-member at 4 this morning. Excellent Baby will round out their super foursome quite nicely, and he has already developed some massive super powers; super adorableness, expert cuddling, and being combat ready in the middle of the night. He'll be defeating villains before you know it; he has already obliterated his so-called due date. Welcome Excellent Baby! 

Now, our resident baby isn't fairing as well, as she battles her current villain, the common Cold. Not much common about him, but I digress.

Dear Super Baby-

I wonder when you will read this. I wonder if you will ever read this or if the ramblings of your mother won't be interesting to you in your fabulous adult life. That it will be fabulous is a given. Your spunk and savvy will have matured but it will still glow within you. You will no longer walk into walls with such regularity. Your outfits will still reveal your imaginative flair; combining practicality with a dash of whimsy:

What you will do is totally you, whether it be law, sales, or surfing. But I know that you will do a lot more than work; you will change the world with the sheer power of your charm and enthusiasm for life. If 16-month you can blow through this house like a good-natured rocket, spreading smiles everywhere, just imagine what adult you will be capable of. Dreams just don't cover it.

But today, as you lie here in my arms, snoring through your nearly liquefied nostrils and dropping rivers of mucus down my back, you can take a break from phenom preparing. It's OK. Just rest. You put up a good fight against Cold; I know since I was awake during the midnight thick of the battle. You fought valiantly, and now, I would like you to just lean in and give in to that Tylenol. You are almost there; drifting in and out of sleep, as I shift to type around you. Go all the way, so I can put you down in your crib and attempt to clean up this house. Cold sent minions Sloth, Just-put-it-anywhere, and Why-is-this-Sticky in here while we weren't looking; he always fighting us on multiple fronts. But don't you worry about them, I'll take care of them. I'll take care of all of it and I'll take care of you. I know that you are independent and capable beyond your years, but today, just curl up and let me take care of you. Just for a little while.

Stop fighting my hugs, they are good for you. They will always be good for you. Today, in the throes of your battle. Tomorrow as you begin to heal. When the rest of those teeth come in. That first day of school. When that bully steals your crayons and pushes you on the playground. For each and every nightmare. The day you turn seven and have chicken-pox and can't have a party. That time your brothers won't let you in their clubhouse. When you eat too many cookies and have a stomach-ache. When that popular girl won't invite you to her party. When you get your first F. Several times while bra shopping. The day your period starts. Your first broken heart. And the next one. And the one after that. Randomly in the kitchen because things are moving too fast. Right before the big game and right after too. On opening night of the school musical. When you get your first job. When you lose your first job. The day you leave for college. Before your big trip around the world. When you get back from your big trip all changed and worldly and grown-up. In the magic stillness before you walk down that aisle. On rainy Tuesdays when you are lonely. For each and every loss you experience, and for each and every joy that I have the pleasure of sharing with you. And on those far far away days when you are crying and exhausted because your baby is sick and kept you up all night. On those days, and all the rest, climb into my arms. They may be thinner and more wrinkled than they once were, but they will be just as strong. Stronger even, tempered as they will have been, with a lifetime of hugs. Endless hugs, all for you.

Love ya,
Awkward Mom

OK, well, Super Baby, you may have to share some of those hugs with your brothers. 

Just a couple, don't worry, you won't even miss them.