messages for seth

Dear Seth,

This is a first of many "Messages for Seth" we wanted to give to you little man. Seth, the first thing we want to make sure you know is that you are pure joy to have around and the happiness in our home has grown 100% since your arrival.

To be quite frank, little man, I was very skeptical about having another child after having Lyza. It is a weird mind set you get into when you only have one child. You have such an intense love for this first child that was given to you. You really don't know how to manage the intensity of the love. You feel you could only love this one child. There would be no room for anyone else.

When your dad and I decided to have another baby I had made up my mind that I would love this next baby...but just not quite as much as I loved my first. I knew that was a horrible thing to say out loud...but it was what I was thinking.

Then the day came that you decided to come into this world. The labor and delivery was very calm and peaceful, a complete opposite experience from that of Lyza's birth. And then "it" happened. After you were born they placed you into my arms and instantly all preconceived notions I might have had vanished. You were perfect. You were small. You needed me and I needed you. You were yet another piece of the puzzle to my heart. The intensity of love was the same little man. I don't know how to explain it but only to say that I instantly fell in love...I fell hard!

This past 12 months with you has been incredible. There is just something about you Seth. I thought I saw this "something" special within you because I was your mother. (Of course every mother sees special things about their children.) But this was different. I remember, on many occasions, the people you would be around would tell me the same thing. "Shaundee, there is just something about this boy?" , "He is so special, Shaundee, there is something great about him." and "You both are lucky to be raising this one. He is something special." This has been a common theme for you this past year. And as your mother I couldn't agree more with all of them.

This last year you have brought life and energy to our home. You don't sit still for a moment and you are the lightest sleeper I have ever met. I attribute it to the fact that you don't want to miss a moment of life. You are here on a mission and you can't bother with excess sleep. I can literally count on one hand the times you have actually fallen asleep in the car. This is so funny to dad and I because the car is suppose to put every baby to sleep...but not our Seth.

You look pretty much exactly like your big sister (except a boy version.) Friends in our neighborhood call you and Lyza "Pete and re-Pete" because you look so much alike. You are smart Seth. You quickly remember things that we teach you. You are charming! You blink those long lashes and flash that "charming" smile and melt a lot of hearts. (Just ask your Aunt Shalice.) Below are some of the other milestones you have accomplished as a 12 month old.

* You ventured out and let go of the furniture you used to hold on to. You stand alone for at least 10 seconds before you realize it and then slowly melt back down to the ground.

* You figured out that you love the stairs. You go up and down continually all day long. You are great about turning around before going down the stairs. So good in fact that you turn around and start backing up pretty much one room away. You can never prepare to early I say!

* New words you say: Lyza, Baby, Dog Cracker, Papa Jer, Banana, Car, Bike, Down, Book and your favorite word..."No, No, No"

* When we say, "Seth, what does a doggy say...you say "wuff wuff."

* New signs you learned: Mom, Dad, Water, Banana, Cracker, Book, Car, Again.

* Oh and Seth you have an extreme fascination and love for Graham Crackers. You eat so many a day it blows our mind. We offer you everything we can think of and all you want is a Graham Cracker. You say "cracker" and sign it furiously until we give in and give you one.

*You have had more hair cuts, in your first year of life, then any other 12 month old I have met. You have had 4 full blown hair cuts. Your hair is legendary. It seriously has its own personality. I often wonder if you drank Miracle Grow while you were up in Heaven?

* You still love your favorite blue and brown blanket and binkie. You are so happy when you see them.

*You love playing with Lyza and reading your favorite book "The Foot Book" By Dr. Seuss. You bring this book to whoever is closest to you and beg them to read it. You laugh at the same parts every time.

Bottom line little man in this "message" we want you to know that we LOVE you! We are proud to call you our son. We are excited to be in your life and share experiences with you. Stay strong and focused in your life. Keep that peaceful personality you came to this Earth with.

Happy 1st Birthday Seth!!

Love you more, more.

Mom