Letters to the Baby From the Big Brothers

It's all baby talk around here, folks, I hope you don't mind! I can't seem to think about anything else, as life is fully focused around preparations for his/her arrival.  Just yesterday, as the boys and I were sitting around the table at lunch time, the baby chat began again with the #1 question I get every day: how much longer do we have to wait before the baby is born??

One question led to another and another (including per usual the how will it come out? from Henry which is always a fun one to explain to a 6 year old) and somehow we tripped into a conversation regarding our family life as we now know it, and how much of our lives the baby will have no understanding of. All of the adventures we've shared, memories we've made, traditions we enjoy like birthday breakfast and meaningful holiday delights, sporting accomplishments, family vacations - the list goes on - are all familiar life to us, a life that will need to be remembered and shared in detail with this baby as it grows.

Benedict even mentioned that by the time the baby is old enough to truly get to know him, he'll be leaving home for college.

This very thought was a stunner for me.

Allowing my mind to travel into the future means that my heart always tags along, and I don't like to go there. I prefer to stay here, right here in the present.  I'm always wrestling with the swiftness of the passage of time anyway, trying to slow the getaway train down, but this, this age gap between our children hit me hard. I deeply desire for all of them to have as much time together as possible, to make memories, to build lasting friendships, to lock arms and never let go.

Our lunch chat sparked a little idea in me.  I waddled into the office, grabbed some paper and pencils and asked the boys to write a letter to the baby.  The purpose of the letter is to tell the new sibling about yourself, perhaps about the family he/she is joining, about how you felt the day we told you a new life would soon be joining our family....

We decided we would put the letters in an envelope and share them with the baby when he/she is old enough to read them.  My expectation for long, thoughtful letters full of drawings and coloring and glitter was non-existent. I've got boys here! My only hope was for some glimpse of their hearts to be woven into their non-detailed script of practicals.

To my surprise, they actually responded to the idea enthusiastically! Their letters were quite charming, some only a few lines, a couple of them, nearly a full page long!  I won't share everything they wrote, but here's just a few little snippets of what each child wrote (except for Charlie who was interviewed by mommy):

Charlie (3) - The Entertainer:
Are you excited to meet the baby?
Yes, yes, I am! I will sing to the baby!
What will you sing?
(In his very best melodic voice) Winnie the Pooh, Winnie the Pooh, chubby little tummy all stuffed with huu-neeeee, Winnie the Pooh, Winnie the Pooh, willy-nilly-silly ol' beeeear!

Henry (6) - The Smotherer:
Dear Baby - I love you! I bet I have already hugged you at least 100 times.  Are you a boy or a girl?  When you are born I will hug you some more.  I hope you are a boy.  I knew you were alive and real when I felt you kick in mommy's tummy.

George (9) - The Librarian:
Dear Baby - I cannot wait to read you stories, because when Charlie was born I read him so many books.  Then, when we heard we were having you, I wanted to read you so many stories too.  It doesn't matter if you are a boy or a girl, you are still very special to me!

Andrew (11) - The Coach:
Dear Buba - This is your brother, Andrew.  At first I didn't know what to say when I heard we were having a new sibling in our family.  I've already lived 11 years of my life, so I am a lot older than you.  In 2014 I took 2nd place in the state wrestling tournament.  That is the year you were born!  Henry, Charlie, George and Ben are our brothers and are all good at sports.  Before I go, I want to let you know that it is going to be great having you in our family!

Benedict (13) - The Leader of the Pack:
Dear Baby - Hello, I am your oldest brother, Ben.  When mom told us that we were having a baby, I was already 12 years old and very overjoyed, and also a hint of sad because I knew it would be another 5,000 dirty diapers to change.  Oh, well, I guess it's not that bad.  From day 1, we have been waiting impatiently for the new baby to come into the Husband family.  By the time you are my age, I will be out of college and married.  Don't worry, though, I will try to come home from college as often as I can to see you.

5 Letters, signed sealed and waiting to be delivered!