a lot changes in 10 short years

Dear Em,
This is my best friend & I.

We used to call her J-Lo, but you know her best as Auntie Jayme. We had some crazy times together in college, some crazy times that will remain unspoken. We met at URI & learned that we had lived only twenty minutes away from each other when we were in high school. There were many, many road trips down to South Jersey together for school breaks & weekend visits.

I stayed in Rhode Island after college, but she went to Ohio for vet school. Even from far away, we planned our weddings together. I was her maid of honor & she was my matron of honor the next year. She was one of the first people I called when we found out we were pregnant with you. Her eyes sparkled as she held you for the very first time when you were 2 1/2 months old. I can't tell you the joy I felt in my heart when Jayme called me last year to tell me she was pregnant. She was born to be a mommy. When her son was born in January, I couldn't wait for us to fly out to meet him.

Then we learned your ears had not popped in months & didn't think it was fair to put you on an airplane. I was so sad to call Jayme & tell her I wanted to meet her son so badly but didn't know when we could get there. Then Jayme called to tell me she was going out to South Jersey to visit her family. The first words that popped in my head were, "road trip!"

Your daddy was in New York for his best friend's bachelor party. So, it was just me & you going on an adventure together last weekend. You were wicked excited for a road trip, climbed up into your car seat, & told me you were ready to go 20 minutes before I had finished packing the car.

We stopped by my hometown to visit one of my other best friends, your Aunt Ali. We had dinner at her house, a walk, ice cream at Custard Corral, & visited our alma mater.

We said goodbye to my hometown & headed to see Auntie Jayme & meet baby T. He is such a joy & a precious love. I loved to take in his baby smell & snuggle him in. They're such little squishies at that age. 

Adorable little baby burrito.

You were almost too excited to meet baby T. You just wanted to poke him & hug him. A huge smile covered your face whenever he was near. You danced for him, sang to him, & read him stories.

We had fun plans to take the two of you to the Cape May County Zoo, but two things got in the way. First, it was a rainy, dreary day. Then you came down with a fever which rose to almost 105 degrees. In preparation for you to get tubes in your ears, we couldn't give you Motrin (you don't know how much you miss Motrin until it's gone). I had only Tylenol to battle the fever...& baths & showers (I think you were the most bathed sick person ever). You only wanted to be held, & you fell asleep in my arms for the first time in longer than I can remember.

At dinnertime, it sunk in how much things had changed for Jayme in I in just 10 short years. You were upset & only wanted to be held. Baby T also wanted to be held after 10 minutes of playing in his gym. Jayme & I attempted to eat with our little loves in our arms while we consoled your tears. Jayme laughed & asked her mom to take a picture to capture the precious moment.

On Saturday night, I fell asleep in the middle of watching our favorite movie (some things don't change). It couldn't have been later than 10:30, but I felt like I had just pulled an all-nighter. Our eyes were once bloodshot from late night parties. This time, Jayme was exhausted from late night feedings & I from caring for your fever. Instead of lazily watching movies all day, we were taking care of the two of you. You know what? We wouldn't have it any other way. Things have definitely changed in ten years, but Jayme & I both agree it's changed for the better.

I'm so glad that my best friend & I were able to share college, post college, our weddings, & now motherhood together. I'm so glad that you have a sweet & precious little friend & playmate in Baby T.

I love you so,

Mommy