As we approach your second birthday, I wanted to take a few minutes to tell you how incredibly handsome, smart, and special you are. You are the age right now that Jubal was when you were born. It seems like a thousand years ago, yet also seems like only yesterday.
We were not expecting you for another week when you made your emergency appearance. Mama developed preeclampsia near the end of my pregnancy with you. I went to a doctor's visit on Thursday, they were concerned about the swelling so they drew blood and told me they would call me as soon as they knew something, but for me not to return to work until after your birth.
The following day, Friday, I had to go into work because I had to do payroll. My job is a fairly easy one, and I sit at a desk, so I figured I could sit there as well as I could sit home. My doctor called around 10:00 A.M. and said I needed to come right in to be placed on monitors. I asked for a couple of hours to get things in order, and as soon as I spoke to your daddy, went home & got me a shower, and picked Jubal up from school, we were on our way.
I never thought we would be having you within an hour after arriving at the hospital. You came into this world like a tornado and you haven't slowed down yet, my boy. The only regret I have is not being able to spend as much time as I wish I could have with you in the first 48 hours. Your delivery did not go very well and Mama needed time to get better before they allowed me much time with you. Your daddy was there, though. He loves you so much. Maybe that's why y'all share such a close bond, even today.
You are so charming. You are wild. You are curious. You are loving. You are very particular.
Unlike your brother, you tend to stand back in a crowd until you are more sure of your surroundings. After you warm up to people, you are still your same sweet self, but it takes you awhile. You are definitely not a social butterfly like Jubal. And that's fine. I don't expect you both to be exactly the same. I love your differences. I love you. Just the way you are.
You are talking so good now. It's very easy to communicate with you since you're learning new words every day. I love hearing you talk. You get so excited when you know what something is. Your favorite word is "mine". Haha!
You have so much personality. You know what you want and when you want it. You are also very demanding when you want something. You want it now. You get that from me, though, so I can't help but giggle under my breath sometimes. What can I say? I can still be a brat at times. ;)
I can't even put into words how much our whole family loves you. When I look at you my heart swells with so much love for you. I want to be able to give you the world. I want you to always have everything you need and I want to be able to provide even the things you want. I have so many dreams for you. My most important desire for you is that you will know God and be a good, Christian man when you grow up.
I hope that you are confident (not conceited), passionate about everything you do, empathetic, sympathetic, kind, but above all...happy. I want you to grow healthy & happy. I pray for these things all day, every day for you.
You are my sweet baby. The last baby this old woman's body will ever carry. I am so thankful that God saw fit for me to be able to carry two beautiful baby boys. I am so very thankful that one of those little baby boys was YOU!
You make our family complete. You have brought my ordinary life so much extraordinary beauty & love. I will forever love you, Gentry, more than any words could ever say. I hope you always feel how much Mama loves you. You are so very special and I'm so glad you're mine.
Always my baby,
Mama
