Just Right

Dearest Lily,

When I was in kindergarten, my Papa and Bo (Anderson) used to live right across the street from my school.  Everyday after school I would go to their house, have a strawberry ice cream cone, and read with them the story of The Three Little Bears.  I knew every line by heart, and I would correct them if they missed a word in the story.  You, my little one, remind me of the baby bear because you are “just right.”

When Ella was a baby, she used to drink her bottles so fast that she would spit up gobs of milky goo.  I’m pretty sure she could’ve won some sort of world record for the fastest bottle drunk by a newborn.  Charlie, on the other hand, would not nurse and would take about an hour to drink just 4oz of milk.  You are just right.  You will nurse or take a bottle, and you drink it not too fast but not too slow either.  Feeding you is such a pleasant experience.

Ella came out of the womb with a preference for Dad.  She was always snuggly with him and she would light up when he entered the room.  Charlie is a major mama’s boy.  Now that he has words, he repeats over and over again, '”Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama . . .” You will gladly go to either me or Dad, and you smile your big toothless grin at both of us equally.

I am interested to know if this will ring true in other aspects of your life.  Ella is my independent girl.  She wants to do everything by herself, and she does not like to ask for help.  Charlie will ask me for help when he is getting off the chair and has only an inch of space between his feet and the floor.  I wonder if you will be the perfect balance of self reliance mixed with the ability to receive advise.  Well, at least I am hoping you are.

I am not the only one who feels that you are just right.  Everyone who meets you tells me what a pleasant baby you are.  You are so content all the time.  You rarely cry, and when you do it is because you have tried to tell me that you are hungry, tired, etc., and I haven’t responded to your needs.  I am so grateful to have you in our family.  You fit just right.

Love,

Mom