5 months

Dear Emerson,

Happy 5 month birthday! You have brought so much joy to my life that I cannot possibly explain in words. You have grown up so much over the past 5 months. I cannot believe how quickly time has gone by. 5 months ago at this time we were anxiously awaiting your arrival. You did not want to come out. Finally, mommy was wisked away to the operating room and you were forced out. I will never forget that moment. Hearing your cries for the first time. Seeing your sad, quivering lip for the first time. You were and still are so beautiful. You are no longer a tiny helpless newborn. Your personality is developing and you want to be involved in everything. There are so many precious things that you are doing right now that I want to remember forever. So, in honor of your special day, the following is a list of my favorite things about you right now.

1. The sweet way that you rub your eyes when you are tired

2. The face that you make when you should be laughing, but no sound is coming out

3. The way that your eyebrows are always lifted in excitement and curiosity

4. I love that when you are tired or have had too much of a situation, you will lay your head innocently on my chest as if to block out the world

5. I adore the conversations that we have

6. I love how you are discovering the way that everything feels. It is so precious the way you are slowly opening and closing your hands over new materials. It is especially sweet when you do this to mommy and daddy's faces.

7. Your expressions are priceless

8. I love the way that you kick in excitement when I come near to pick you up.

9. You have recently started to reach for things with both hands. My favorite is when you are reaching for me or daddy.

10. It makes me so happy to see the look on your face when daddy gets home at the end of the day. You are filled with pure joy at that moment. You are already a daddy's girl.

Love,

Mommy