Dear Ian,
Today you are a week old. We can’t believe how quickly this first week has gone by. We’ve spent this week getting to know you and spending time with you, falling in love with you. We’re smitten with you, son. We loved you immediately and our love for you continues to grow every day.
Over a week ago, you were in Mom’s tummy. Every kick, movement and hiccup were treasured. We wondered when we’d get to meet you. As each day passed, the anticipation grew. And finally the 20th was here and a day later so were you.
We've watched you intently this last week. There are so many things that bring us joy:
- You have the best facial expressions while you sleep. You raise your eyebrows, looking curious, and then furrow them, looking grumpy. It makes us laugh because it's so cute.
- When Mom feeds you and you’re falling asleep, your little eyes roll back into your head. We can’t tell if that’s you fighting sleep or welcoming it.
- When you’re hungry, you shake your head back and forth quickly.
- When you cry, your bottom lip trembles.
- You can already hold your head up pretty well. Mom had you on her chest this morning and you pulled your head up to look at her and then look at the ceiling.
- You're intrigued by ceiling fans. You look around the rooms when you’re awake and when your eyes land on one, you’re captivated.
- When you're really upset, you cry so loud that it sounds like a cat in pain. It makes us laugh to hear how loud you are. (And then we try to calm you down.)
- You sleep better when somebody is holding you, so Mom snuggles you a lot.
- You got your first sponge bath at home yesterday and we think you enjoyed it. You didn’t cry and it seemed like you found the water running over your hair soothing.
- They say babies can’t smile, but we watched you smile for the first time (and several times after that) in your sleep this week. Those moments are like shooting stars; they happen so quickly and we feel very lucky to catch them.
We hope that as your parents, as you grow, we instill in you humility, compassion, thoughtfulness, kindness, creativity, passion, ambition and drive, confidence in yourself, respectfulness of others, appreciation for family, gratitude for the blessings in your life, a healthy relationship with technology, discernment, awareness, sympathy, a tenderness for others, and a love for God. We hope you find joy and purpose in this life and that you always experience life through a filter of hope.
Right now you’re curled up in Mom’s arms, snuggled and safe. Little hands and feet are moving and we can see on your face and its changing expressions that you must be dreaming of something.
The tomorrows of life are bittersweet. You’ll grow from being our little newborn that can snuggle up in the crook of our arms to a toddler to a kindergartner to a high schooler to going off to college. We are savoring each moment with you and look forward to experiencing every day with you.
We love you, son.
-Mom and Dad
