Tag: Letters To My Kids

Dear Jonathan (v. X)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Another month gone by of your first year. Ten months with sweet baby J. I love your clapping and toothy grin. I love when your little body snuggles against mine in the morning, knowing that I am a safe place for you. I love the adoration and laughs you and your big brother have for each other. Your curiosity about the dog’s water bowl, closing doors by yourself, and what my drink tastes like that day. 

I love you, sweet boy. I wish for you all the happiness in the world. I wish I could memorize every last bit of this baby year, but it is almost gone already. Two more months until we celebrate a whole year with you. 

Love you always,

Mommy

Dear Jonathan v. IX

Dear Jonathan v. VIII

Dear Jonathan v. VII

Dear Jonathan v. VI

Dear Jonathan v. V

Dear Jonathan v. IV

Dear Jonathan v. III

Dear Jonathan (v. IX)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Happy nine months, little guy! This past month you spent two weeks at home with daddy and me after a covid scare in your class, you finally mastered getting water out of your sippy, and you are so proud of yourself, and you’re army crawling and exploring all the things. Especially Sawyer’s food and water dishes. 😬 

Every night, I put you to bed, and you fall asleep in my arms. I rock you and just stare at you, hoping to hold on to the way your face looks so peaceful. The weight of your body at nine months. The little curl tuft of hair on top of your head. 

You are so loved. I hope you never doubt it. Not even for a second. I let minutes tick by hoping that each minute bores into you a deep sense that you will always be safe and loved in your mama’s arms. 

I love you sweet boy,

Mommy

Dear Harrison (v. VI),

Posted on by Lauren Lane

It was Friday the 13th. The weather was overcast and cool for a spring day. I woke your daddy up in the middle of the night after wondering by myself for several hours if this was the real thing. 

I was so unsure. So insecure. Afraid that I wouldn’t be a good enough mama to you. Afraid I would fall short for you. And yet the time had come for me to meet you. This strong, sweet little boy that would change my entire course of life. 

In your short three years you have already given me the whole world. 

When I’ve been sad, you’ve climbed into my lap and hugged me saying, “it’s ok, mama. Deep breaths.”

When I’ve laughed so hard at you, you’ve flashed me a smile with some side eye, knowing you’ve brought joy. 

When I’ve just been in a funk, you’ve said, “mama, you’re my best friend.”

You are wise beyond your years. Your heart is deeper and more beautiful than I could have ever dreamt. 

You are such a precious gift to this world. And I’m thankful for the front row seat to it all. Happy birthday, my beautiful boy. 

Love,

Mommy 

Dear Jonathan (v. VIII)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

My goodness. Happy eight month birthday, little one. Your little light brightens up the whole room. Your patient demeanor and the way you sit back and take in the world makes me wonder what you think of all these crazy people around you. 

You’ve made me a better mama, learning a new little personality. Admiring your thoughtful and easy-going personality. You have me so eager to see what games you will like to play, what will interest you about your world. You’ve made my heart grow even more than I could have imagined it would grow. So very blessed to be entrusted to raise you, little boy. 

I wish I could just hold on to your sweet little baby-ness for forever. It just moves way too fast. 

Love,

Mommy

Dear Jonathan (v. VII)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Happy monthly birthday. Whenever that is in a month that doesn’t contain a 30th day. You have awakened this past month. Discovering your ability to move and explore, you’re delighting us each and everyday as we watch you.

In particular this month, your adoration of your big brother has really been on display. He makes you laugh harder than anyone else. Your eyes sparkle and light up when he talks to you. It’s magical. 

I sit here rocking you to sleep for your morning nap. I’m amazed that seven months have already clipped by, and I want to imprint your babyhood on my heart. The way you feel in my arms, the soft snores as you peacefully snooze. You are such a joy, Jonathan Brooks. Love you. So big.

Love,

Mommy

Dear Jonathan (v. VI)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

The time between five and six months sped up infinitely. We lived a whirlwind of doctors appointments, going to ‘school’ for the first time, and long cuddles of exhaustion in the evening for both of us.

Each night, though, finally, exhaling from the day and rocking you while you sleep, I remember how lucky I am. Lucky to be a mom. To be YOUR mom. To me, little boy, you are perfect. A blessing to be your calm and safe place at the end of every day. So very blessed.

Happy six months, my little love.

Love,

Mommy

(Originally posted to Instagram)

**Hey friends, I’ve been wrapped up with work lately, and didn’t get a chance to write much over the past weekend. So, instead of throwing together a bunch of posts that I don’t love, I’m going to take the rest of the week off. I’ll see you back here on Tuesday! And Go Chiefs!**

Dear Jonathan, (v. V)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Five months with you sweet boy. Enough time has passed now that it’s hard to remember life before your sweet spirit. You are my little calm always wanting to be close to mommy. You are Mr. Independent. Already so vocal when things are NOT happening the way you want. 

This month we watched you start to try to play with your big brother, eager to interact and have fun. Find joy in playing with your toys, and ever more proficient at rolling despite our continued attempts to keep you on your tummy. 

The ever observer. I love watching you take in your world. I couldn’t love being your mommy more. You are perfect, my sweet baby J. 

Love,

Mommy

{originally posted to Instagram}

Dear Jonathan (v. IV)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Another month of smiles, laughing, and coos. This month you’ve started interacting with us. You search for me when you hear me call your name. You watch and kick In excitement when Harrison plays with you. You’re happiest being held. Assured of your people being there. Loving you. 

Little boy. Being your mommy is the best job of all.  Watching you learn to love on your family is pure joy. I love you, baby J. So big.

Love,

Mommy

Dear Jonathan (v. III)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Happy three months! We’ve really gotten into our groove this past month. You love the extra time with me and daddy to talk and play.  You’re showered daily with Harrison kisses and hugs.  Watching your sweet little eyes light up when we sit down and talk to you makes my day bright.

But putting you down to sleep at night, when your eyes quickly drift off, is my favorite.  Happy.  Content.  Safe.  Just being able to feel that your little soul feels loved and safe in my arms is the sweetest blessing of all.  You are pure quiet, kind, light in this crazy world, little boy.  My sweet little light.

Love,

Mommy

{{For earlier letters to Jonathan, see my Instagram.}}

Dear Harrison, (v. IV)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Happy birthday, sweet boy! Two whole years of Harrison wonderful-ness in our lives. You are energy and fire. You are a sweet smile, and sheer happiness about life. I see you developing this sweet, tender heart that cares for people, which makes my mama-heart soar. And you’re without a doubt the most persistent and fearless little kid I’ve ever met, never lacking in confidence and a can-do attitude, which makes your Dad so proud.

You love the outdoors, your sister, Soy Soy, and soccer. And you’re quick to offer a hug and kiss when asked. I can’t begin to express how much of my heart just swells with love for you, little boy. You remind us to praise our Creator, for all of the good there is in the world, and are a continuous reminder that the simplest things are the greatest blessings in life.

While you don’t let me rock you to sleep anymore, you do give me a hug before being tucked into bed. And I hold you tight against my chest, and whisper to you every night, “I love you, little one. There’s nothing in the world that your Daddy or I wouldn’t do for you, and I’m always going to be here for you. No matter what.” And then I lay you down, and you shout at me, “NIGHT NIGHT, MOMMY!” And in that moment, little boy, whatever happened that day: good, bad, hard, seems right for an infinite minute.

And as I sit here writing this to you, tears streaming down my face, I want you to know, you changed everything in our world. And we are better for it.

Happy birthday, my sweet little one.

Love, Mommy