Little Willow

Little Willow.

I love how snuggly you are on these cold Winter nights as you dig your head deep into my arm. I love how you smile and gurgle at me even when it's time for sleep. I love how you reserve special delighted smiles for your big sister, and wide eyed appreciation of all the toys she shows you. Willow, thankyou for being an easy-going baby and allowing me to still give your big sis the attention she needs in the day.

I'm sorry that sometimes you have to come second. Like when I change your sister's nappy and get her ready for bed. I'm sorry that you cry because I can't cuddle you to sleep then. You're too little to know that I'm not ignoring you, and that I'm rushing the best I can so that both of you are cared for. Please know when you get older that I care just as deeply for you as I do your big sister.

And know that for you, I broke all the rules. You got to sleep in our bed in between Mummy and Daddy for the first 8 weeks of your life. You got the added cushyness of a pillow because of your vomiting and spluttering throughout the night. You were cuddled to sleep for almost every sleep up till now and you were also talked to in the darkness of the night because you are just too cute to ignore. You also have the most lax routine in the world, and can sleep for as long as you want or stay awake for as long as you want. Thankfully, no one has explained this to you thoroughly, so you're an angel at night. You feed and go back to sleep even after cooing for 5 minutes after the feed. As soon as we snuggle, your back off to sleep.

Everyone at the hospital was very impressed with how brave you were with the needles, and Daddy loves that you hardly ever cry. (Tip for the future, Wills- Daddy likes a quiet house.)

I'm looking forward to seeing your independence grow and see your likes and dislikes. As my second child, you are dearly loved and have made our family that much fuller. 

I hope that when you read this in another 6 years time, you'll see how much love we had for you, even when you were only 8 weeks old.