Dear Mason

Dear Mason, 

At some point last year, I wrote to you in my blog.  Only last year, you known simply as "Baby Z."  I am so happy to be able to.call you by name now.  And you've absolutely grown into that name.

We are approaching your first birthday and there is so much running through my mind!  

First, you have full filled our lives in ways that I can't even fully express in words. All my expectations about what it is to be a mom have been far exceeded.  I knew it would be amazing but I had no idea how full my heart could feel.  You always hear parents talking about their hearts bursting with love...and now I know why. 

You have been in this world for almost a year.  You are learning so much every single day and I get the absolute privilege of watching that happen. Every time you do something new, however "small" it may seem, I swell with unbelievable pride.  I love sitting on the floor and playing with you, even though I'm almost 7 month pregnant with your little brother. And when it comes to your bed time, I quite honestly get sad and can't wait to do it all over again the next day.

Speaking of your brother; I know you didn't get much of a chance to be the only child.  It only seems fair that the first born gets a little time to relish in that fact since you are, and will always be our guinea pig as far as parenting goes.  And lord knows, we will mess up sometimes. But even though you will be sharing your time with a little brother, always remember that YOU made us parents. When you were born, I was also born as a mother that day. 

We have just a few short months, (about 12 weeks to be exact) until your little brother arrives. You will never know a time without him around. But I will.  It's been hard being pregnant through half of your first year of existence like.  Often, I've felt like I was letting you down because I have been so sick during this pregnancy.  But I also believe that the sacrifice we've all made for your little Brother, Malcolm, will also be one of the greatest gifts I we can give you.  A best friend who will be around for you a lot longer than your dad and I. That gives me great comfort. 

We are excited to welcome a new little dude to our family.  But you will always be our first born!  The one who made us mommy and daddy...a dream we turned our world's upside down to achieve.  And you have been so worth it! 

Love, Mommy