Volunteering

Dear Jack,

For the last two days, you and I have been up at the church for about four and half hours each day, sitting in the church nursery, watching some of my friends' kids so that my friends can help with the preschool camp the church is hosting.

Why in the world are we doing that? I guess because I heard that the church needed help and I thought that even though you and I couldn't do a whole lot of arts and crafts, or story times, or any of the other things that they needed volunteers for, we could at least keep an eye on other folks' kids so that they would be free to help.

You won't remember that at three and a half weeks you were helping me volunteer at the church, but there will be many other opportunities in the future that you will remember. My plan is that by setting this example for you, I will be helping you to see the value in giving your time to help others. So that maybe, when you are old enough, you will also want to help out where and when you can. At least that's what I hope for you.

Love,
Mom

the 70's

Dear Jack,

There was a time, not so long ago, when folks thought orange was a really hip color. Especially when paired with yellow, brown, or a nice bright green. We like to call that time the 70's.

It's funny how trends work. Ten years ago, I would have told you I hate the color orange... it was just too 70's. Now, I like it a lot. In fact, I went out of my way while pregnant to find orange clothes for you. The Moby wrap you love being in so much is orange, and I wore an orange shirt the day I brought you home from the hospital. I guess the 70's are back.

It makes sense, of course. The children of the 70's (and that includes both of your parents) are now having kids of their own and are nostalgic for the way things were when we were kids ourselves. The shirt you are wearing, for example, was one of your father's and that blanket was made by my grandmother in 1977, the year I was born, for my granddaddy.

So of course it makes both of us happy to see you in these little remnants of our own childhoods. So later, when orange is out of fashion again, just remember that it will be due for a comeback in about thirty years, right when you are maybe thinking about kids of your own, so don't jugde your parents for putting you in such a funky color. Back in the 70's, funky was cool.

Love,
Mom

A Surprise Baby Shower

Dear Jack,

Tonight, I took you with me to meet the ladies in my Bunco group. I no longer work with any of them and none of them go to our church. Only one of them even lives in Georgetown. But I keep up with them all through our monthly Bunco games. And even though for the most part I only see them once a month, they are a great group of ladies and they decided this evening to throw a baby shower for you.


They really didn't have to do that. In fact, a lot of people think you shouldn't have a baby shower for a second baby. But I could tell that they were excited to see you and wanted to celebrate your coming into the world. So they threw a party.

I hope that as you grow up, there will be many moments when someone does something for you that they didn't have to do. That people will show you extra kindness just because they want to. That someone will celebrate an event in your life just to show that it's worth celebrating.

In short, I hope you find friends like these ladies.

Love,
Mom

A Final Word on Weight Gain

Dear Jack,

We just got back from your latest weight check. We were hoping for a weight gain of around six ounces. Well, with the growth spurt that you have been working your way through in the last three days, you have gained a whopping nine ounces and a quarter of an inch in length as well.

We don't have to go back for any more weight checks.

I am proud of us both.

Love,
Mom

Getting a Little Bit Older

Dear Jack,

Your umbilical cord finally fell off last night. On the one hand, I know it stopped serving any kind of useful function over two weeks ago. On the other hand, I was very sad to see it go.

Love,
Mom

Growth Spurt?

Dear Jack,

You nursed every hour from about six last night until eleven, then you went every two hours from eleven to seven, and then nursed every hour again from seven until eleven this morning (and then you decided it was time for a nice nap and have been asleep for just over an hour).

I think you might be going through a growth spurt.

I sure hope so.

Love,
Mom

Going Out Sleepers

Dear Jack,

Your father tried to dress you for bed last night. He found a sleeper in a drawer and was all set to dress you in it.

Wait, I told him, that's a "going out sleeper," as I pulled another sleeper from the drawer, use this one instead.

Your father was incredulous at the idea of a "going out sleeper." What, he wanted to know, was a "going out sleeper"?

So I told him, this is.


It's okay if you don't get it either. That's what I'm here for.

Love,
Mom