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Dear Sophie,
Today we had what could very well be our last mama-Sophie day together. We’re adding a brother to our house oh so very soon. I’d imagined it being a day filled with playing outside (your favorite) and eating ice cream (ditto) and splashing in a bath and doing all your favorite things. Alas, you are a toddler and had different plans. I am also incredibly and almost inconceivably pregnant. So, we didn’t do anything super special today. That is, unless you count emptying out all the kitchen drawers, climbing in cardboard boxes, and poking things outside with a stick. But I did peek in on you sleeping today, and, while you finished your nap, I wrote this down.
For months, now, I’ve tried to tell you what a brother will be like. A brother is a baby. The boy kind. He’s going to eat and cry and play and laugh and learn and live at our house. Forever and always until you both grow up and leave us for bigger, better adventures.
Things aren’t going to be the same.
In some ways, they’ll be really hard–moms only have so much energy and so many arms and hands and fingers. In some ways, they’ll be so incredibly wonderful–we’ll get to show and teach him everything together.
Babies are a special kind of magic. They smell better than just about anything (even brownies) and their eyes are full of heaven. Everything is new and fresh and exciting to a baby. Although brother will love Mom and Dad a lot, I have a feeling he’ll love you very best.
I want you to know, Sophie girl, that babies also come with another special kind of magic: they multiply all the love in your heart. I love you and Dad more than anyone else I’ve ever known in my life. And, very soon, when brother is here, the magic will happen. Just when I think there couldn’t be any more love in my heart, there will be. No matter what, a new brother won’t change the way I love you, sweet girl.
You made me a Mama. I’ve made so very many mistakes in the last 20 months, and you’ve forgiven me every time. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve grown a lot. No matter what this new adventure brings, I love you sweet Sophie girl.
Love,
Mom.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Apparently it isn’t too early in the morning to cry. What a sweet mama you are, and how lucky those babies are to have you for their very own! I love you.
so sweet emily. sophie is one lucky little lady and she’s going to LOVE baby brother…even if it takes some adjusting. that’s normal. so looking forward to you being able to meet baby boy and no longer being inconcievably pregnant!!
I did not expect to stop by your blog and cry today. You are a wonderful mother and I truly admire you.
Lovely. I wish you, Michael and Sophie the very best as you begin the adventure of 2 babies. It is wonderful, exhausting, frustrating, joyous, too much to put in to words really. I love your blog, though I mostly lurk, and can’t wait to hear about the new baby. You handle things with such grace and I am positive you will handle this adjustment beautifully. Thank you for your blog, thank you for the courage to share your recipes and your life. Your blog is truly lovely and I love checking in, not just for the wonderful recipes (every one of the several I have tried has been wonderful) but for your perspective on life. Thank you again.
Oh, Cassey, that’s what I meant to say!
This made me tear up AND baby hungry. Good Luck, Emily!!!
So very sweet Emily – a beautiful letter written to Sophie! I wish you luck in adding to the bunch – I’ve been there – it’s hard, but so rewarding at the same time. Just reading this letter is making me REALLy want a 3rd baby:)
What a beauitful letter to your daughter. Thank you for sharing it. Blessings to you and your family as you start this new & wonderful adventure with your baby boy! Sophie is going to be a big sister and oh, the fun she is going to have.
Awww. This made me feel all melty inside!!! Hurry up baby brother!
YAY…Congratulations! We (my kids and I) love ‘checking up’ on you each week. My 2 year old especially loves the baby (Sophie). Hope all adjust well. Great work!
I love math. Well, actually, I only love ‘love math’. Love Math, is the kind of math that multiplies over and over again and never divides. It adds spouses and children, into the equation that already factors in parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and so very excitingly at this stage in my life, it adds grandbabies. Our hearts can just barely contain the abundance of love that each addition adds.
We love you and are sending our prayers your way!
So sweet
Sabbobed Jordan…I am SO excited to meet Little Sir and for Sophie to meet him. She’s just going to love him. I love you! You’re a wonderful mama and your babies are SO lucky to have you!
That was so tender. You’re such a good mommy.
Sweet Emily.
You are a good mama. What a lucky little girl Sophie is, and her soon-to-be brother as well.
This post warmed my heart. Thank you for sharing it.
Love you mija
This is so sweet and caring. Sophie will make such a great big sister!
Ok so – maybe there is crying allowed at work – well at least my work in the last minute as I just read my email from you. I have never met you – we live on opposites sides of the country. But I’ve watched and “read” you become one of the most incredible moms out there. From dealing with Princess Sophie’s eating issues/allergies to watching her learn to color to being so excited to get a little pony tail in her hair. You’ve been so kind to share it with all of us who wait to hear from you each Friday especially. I know it’s going to be an adjustment for Miss Sophie having to share her two most important people in the world but she’ll adjust and she’ll love her brother so much that before you know it they’ll have their own secret language and be the best of playmates. Or she might be like my friend’s daughter who tried to give her baby sister away to a stranger at the mall – lol. But she’ll never stop being your Princess Sophie. I wish you all the best in the coming days. Cannot WAIT to see photos!
Lisa Y
Massillon, OH
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing. I am praying for a transition for your family.
As a mom of four, I know exactly how you feel. So sweet, made me cry! Good luck on the new addition!
What a wonderful tribute to your sweet girl and to the awesome mom you are!
This was the sweetest thing I’ve ever read. And since I’m typing this on a Friday with no FFF I’m hoping you went into labor!
Oh this was beautiful. Bookmarking it. I need a tissue but I’m overjoyed for you today.
Okay, now I can’t type because you made me cry….
Just came upon your blog because of my search this morning for a recipe that had the ingredients “green peppers, quinoa, and black beans”. Struck gold on your site. Thanks so much.
So excited for you new little life to add to your beautiful family. Children are, as you have seen, a treasure beyond imagination….work, joy, fatigue (sometimes, no, often, extreme), laughter, tears, thankfulness, angst, and delight. Praying that you will have many great days ahead. With my six kiddos aged now 5yrs to 18yrs, I can say that I really miss the “squishy-juicy baby” days.
Enjoy and be blessed!
Thanks for bringing tears and smiles to our day….all good things to living healthy and well.
The Long Family on Montreal, Quebec’s South shore