Dearest Kyra Mae.

Dearest Kyra Mae,
My sweet girl, you went to the dentist for the first time today and you did great!  You did cry a lot but after you were finished being what seemed like tortured you perked right back up and turned on the Kyra Mae charm!  You are getting in so many teeth at one time but you are such a trooper!  You started getting your teeth around nine months and you haven't stopped.  So, my sweet baby, you have been teething for four months non stop.  I just don't know how you've done it and not been a complete grizzly bear!  You haven't come out unscathed though because you have basically kept an ear infection the entire time.  Hopefully this next round of antibiotics will knock it out.  
You are growing so quickly.  Much too quickly.  You are practically running right now and you have almost caught Teagan in height.  You are truly going to give her a run for her money pretty soon.  You are a feisty little booger and I have a feeling she is going to realize that in the next few months.  Watch out, Big Sister!
You are working on eating with a fork and you are doing a pretty good job!  Tonight you ate french toast with a fork and seem to really be getting the hang of it.  You have also started doing "praying hands" on your own.  It is precious to watch!  
Even though you are a feisty little bear you are extraordinarily sweet.  You love hugging on your stuffed animals.  Whether you are walking or running around the house you typically have your puppy or your gorilla snuggled up to you.  You are still a great sleeper and 9 times out of 10 you go down without a fuss and without needing to be rocked.  Sometimes this still bothers me a little bit and I am so thankful when you allow a little before bed cuddle.  I don't force it though, because I know you are not a huge snuggler and that is okay.  I take whatever I get.  Even when you don't want to cuddle you allow me to sit you on my lap and I pray for you.  I put my hands over yours and we do praying hands, we say the typical sweet children's "night-night" prayers and then I pray for you, over you.  I pray for you to know how much I love you.  I pray for you to have sweet dreams.  I pray for your heart to grow closer to the Lord with every day.  I pray for you and Teagan's relationship to grow stronger each day.    I continue to learn so much from you, Kyra Mae.  You teach me every day that just because you and Teagan both came out of my belly does not mean you came out the same person.  You have different strengths, different weaknesses, different likes and dislikes.  When you were first born that idea intimidated me a little bit and I had a hard time dealing with it.  You have been so patient with me and our relationship has grown so much over the last 13 months.  We are still learning each other and I know we will continue to do so the rest of your life.  You and I are completely different and to be completely honest, I think that is going to come in handy come your teenage years!
I hope you know how much I love you.  I will continue to remind you every day a few times a day with a ton of hugs and and equal amounts of kisses.

Forever and Always,
Mommy    

Dearest Kyra Mae

Dearest Baby Bear,
Oh my mercy how you're taking off!! In the last seven days you have cut two teeth, started zooming around going forward and you're pulling up in your crib dancing around until somebody gets you!
Your daddy and I were talking about how adventurous you are and how you are going to get into everything! haha! You are such a "chill" baby but when you have your eyes set on something you go for it with all you have.  Like the other morning, I was helping Teagan put one of her shoes on while you were on our bed.  Something told me to turn around and as I did you smiled a gummy smile and decided you were going to come join us on the floor whether it was by my hands or your free-fall was up for debate for a few seconds.  Thankfully my reflexes have gotten quicker with age and children instead of the opposite.  You joined us by my hands and not by a free-fall.  Oh my, sweet baby, oh my.
The nights when I put you to bed are something I cherish.  You've never been one to cuddle unless something is wrong.  You want to just be put down when you're tired and so I don't get a lot of time to just pull you close and snuggle you.  While you are sleepy and taking your bottle at night is an opportunity I take full advantage of.  I kiss your sleepy head and rub your sweet cheeks.  I talk to you and sing to you and pray for you, which is perhaps the most important of the three.  I pray for you my sweet baby.  I pray you know how much I love you, I pray to love you even more, I pray for our bond to grow stronger every day.  I pray I am giving you enough attention and even when I don't get it all right that you would know how hard I am trying and how much I love you.  I pray your heart will grow closer to the Lord with each passing day.  I pray for your future and that you will have the strength and courage to take leaps of faith with no questions asked.
Sweet Baby, you have added so much to our lives.  Teagan loves you right now possibly more than you will ever know.  She cares for you and always wants you to smile.  She tries her hardest to be a good big sister and I think she's doing a pretty good job.  She's learning.  Thank you for being patient with her.  I really believe you feel she is doing the things she does out of love for you.  I pray you and her continue to have a good relationship.  I pray you can and will be friends.  Forever friends.
I love you my sweet Baby Bear. So much.

Forever & Always,
Mommy

Dearest Kyra Mae.

Dearest Kyra Mae,

Oh my baby bear, how fast you are growing. You are no longer an infant but a full blown baby.  You are developing a personality all your own.  You have the sweet nature of your sister but you are showing us just how different you are. 
You have been laughing a lot lately and the sound is infectious.  The light in your eyes is the same light I catch in your Daddy's eyes.  You match his glimmer of determination, with his look of determination comes an old soul full of protection and wisdom.  I can't wait to see what accompanies yours.  I know you are going to do amazing things and I can't wait to see where that look of determination takes you.  What adventures you will lead us into.  We can't wait to see how you will continue to add to our lives.  We love you so much it feels like our hearts might burst sometimes.

Forever and Always,

Mommy

Dearest Kyra Mae

Dearest Kyra Mae,
Well, Baby Girl, we've made it through the first two months.  It's hard to believe, and remember, sometimes you've only been here two months.  It just seems like you've always been.  Like we have always been a family of four.
You and I have struggled a bit but we continue to learn each other day by day.  Unfortunately, my hormones got all out of whack and I wound up with postpartum depression.  It made me, and some days still does, a little distant from you.  I am so sorry for that.  Even in my distance I want you to know how much I love you.  You made our family whole.
We are all slowly but surely adjusting to our new roles and new norms.  You actually make it pretty easy to be a mommy of two.  You have a sweet and patient nature about you that just takes the chaos and allows it to roll off your back like it's nothing.  You are so alert and observant!  You basically came out of the womb with your eyes open, holding your head up ready to conquer the world.  As sweet natured as you are I think you will be a force to be reckoned with.  Watch out world, here comes Kyra!
The way you are with your sister makes my heart smile.  You watch her like she is the best thing since a clean diaper and you talk to her like she's your best friend already.  She loves you so much.  She loves holding your hand in the car and tells me if she thinks you need something. Anything.  You tolerate her sometimes overabundance of love with a gummy smile.  Although, you aren't above telling her when you've had enough but that isn't very often.
I can't wait to see whats in store for you as you grow up.  There are so many things I want for you to know and see and do.  I can only pray I will be a mommy who is capable of showing you and teaching you.  I know without a doubt that I will at least be a mommy who loves you no matter what.  Postpartum depression be damned.

Forever and Always,
Mommy

Dearest Baby Bear

Dearest Baby Bear,
Oh mercy, my sweet babe! We have entered the home stretch!  We are 38 weeks today and we can go at anytime now!
We have had two false alarms.  Once I thought my water was leaking and the other was just the other day when I started having contractions.  I didn't have any real contractions with your sister until the day she was born so I was sure you were heading out of my belly and into my arms soon.  But, my arms are empty and my belly is fully. 
I cannot wait to hold you.  I will have you on my chest and your sister on my hip.  She can't wait to meet you!  She is so excited! I'm excited and your daddy is excited! We all want to cover you in love and kisses!  Your sister has already agreed to help me change your diapers and give you baths. 
As I write this you are moving around and I just sit and feel and be with you.  I often try to send you love vibes, as corny as it sounds.  Occasionally I will tighten up my belly and try and "hug" you.  You always react to it but I can't wait to hug you with my arms and not my belly.
It won't be too much longer! As anxious as I am to have you in my arms I would never wish you to come before YOU are ready. 

Forever & Always,
Mommy

Dearest Baby Bear

Dearest Baby Bear,
Well, Kiddo, we've hit the halfway mark! I can hardly believe it.  It's all happening so fast this time.  I spend a lot of time chasing after your big sister.  I can't believe this time next year you will be starting to "cruise" and trying to follow her around the house.
A little word of advice for while you're in my "belly belly".  If you hear the screams and the squeals coming from your sister, fear not, it's normal and sometimes annoying but you are sure to go through the phase as well.  Maybe you'll learn from her and not be quite as loud with the squealing. 
Your big sister loves to kiss you.  She kisses and cuddles you through my belly at least 4-5 times a day.  A week or so ago she tried to brush your teeth.  She already loves you.  She might be a little jealous when you come home but I have a feeling she is going to be another "mommy"; wanting to hold you all the time and just love on you (when you aren't crying).   
We went to the doctor last Monday to check on you and finally see your sweet face.  Let's just say I fell in love for the third time in my life.  You are so beautiful and healthy and perfect that I can't wait to hold your sweetness in my arms and show off our second miracle to the world. 
Your daddy bought the wood to start making your dresser and your crib.  I am so excited! He and your Grandpa do such a good job when it comes to making furniture for our family.  Yours will be no exception!
I am still trying to figure out your room.  Since we aren't going to know whether you are a baby girl or baby boy until you make your apperance it's going to be a little hard.  I have 2 ways I am thinking about going with your room but we'll see.  I think once your daddy and I clean out the office (which will be your room) and I have a clean slate I can start really planning.  I can't wait to start finding little special things for your room like I have Teagan's.  I'm sure she will help me pick out a few things for her Baby Bear!
Your movements are getting stronger every week.  This afternoon at work I felt you rolling and dancing in my belly while I was addressing envelopes.  I love just being able to sit and feel for your movements.  I discovered today, while I was the only one in the office, that you like when I sing loudly.  Especially showtunes.  A little something after my own heart already! When I'm home in the evenings, after we've put your big sister to bed, your daddy and I relax on the couch and after I've had my hour with just me and you he comes and cuddles up for his turn.  Hands on my belly just waiting to feel you.  I think he will be able to feel you soon!
We are so in love with you already, Baby Bear.  You are truly going to make our family complete.  A nice even number of 4!

Always & Forever,
Mommy