Dear second born,

You didn’t make me a mom, you made me a better one.

I didn’t think I could possibly love another human being with that perfect balance of tenderness, fierceness, and joy . . . yet you came along and proved my worried heart wrong. 

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I didn’t think I could do another round of sleepless nights, changing diapers and making bottles in the dark . . . yet you came along and proved me wrong.

I didn’t think I could find the strength to tote around another heavy car seat and packed-to-the-brim diaper bag . . . but you proved me wrong once again.

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I didn’t think I’d ever feel like such a pro-momma, but when you came along, I didn’t find myself internet searching every little issue anymore. I could just rest and savor your sweet presence and every precious milestone.

To my second born, you’ve proved me wrong in all the right ways.

I’ll never forget the first moment I laid eyes on you and heard your darling cries. Your first smile was magic, your first laugh was bliss, and I love the way your tiny body fits perfectly into my arms right now. And that you haven’t started to resist any cuddles yet.

You’ve helped your older sister blossom. She’s not missing anything because you came along—you’ve made her world bigger and better. You’re teaching her gentleness and how to share. You’re teaching her to have compassion and take her nurturing skills beyond baby dolls and stuffed animals. You’re teaching her to consider someone else and to not always put herself first.

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You’re teaching Mommy and Daddy to love more, to practice peace, and to relish as much as we can because you’re growing up faster than we could have imagined.

When I have that sweet and far too rare one-on-one time with you, my heart gets filled with delight that I get to make you feel like the center of our family’s world. Because I’d never want you to feel any less than that.

You fill our home with more love and adventure than we dreamed possible.

You make our family more complete. You were what we had been missing before we even knew it.

You didn’t make me a mom, you made me a better one.