Well Maximus,
This week our little family officially grew to four. Your little brother, Titus Michael was born on Sunday 1/12/2014. So far he has had a somewhat bumpy road but overall is very healthy and a very good baby. I think we are all very much in love with him. Even you- the once only child who got all of mommy and daddy's attention before- seem to want Titus in the room with you all of the time and can't seem to resist kissing his sweet little face and hands.
I will never forget the day he was born. He arrived at exactly 6pm. You were in the waiting room with Grammy, Paps, Aubie and Brandon. Once the baby was here you all were invited back into the room. There you came, my world, my sweet boy- running into the room yelling "mommy!" I was so happy to see you and pull you up on the bed with me for a hug. Then I introduced you to your new baby brother. You were kind of quiet and stared at him intently as you took him in and finally made sense of everything mommy and daddy had been telling you about Titus coming out of mommy's belly to be your brother. Then you kissed him and said hello to him. I asked you if you wanted to sing to him and you said yes. Then you sang "Everything Has Changed," a song by Taylor Swift that you and I always sang to Titus when were driving in the car. I sang along with you for a little bit before I started to choke up at how precious and perfect everything in that moment was.
Soon Titus had to go to the NICU for some evaluation and treatment and unfortunately that is where he had to stay for 48 hours until we went home. During those 48 hours you visited a few times. You had fun with mommy and daddy but would always get so sad because you weren't allowed to go in to see "baby Titus." Finally, on the third evening he was released and we all got to go home together.
Since we have been home you have still been sweet to him but seem to be having a little bit of a typical first child reaction. You are telling us "no" a lot more and have been a little bit more emotional than usual. Daddy and I are doing what we can to keep things as normal for you as possible including playing with you and keeping your bedtime routine as special and intimate. I have to admit, I myself have been emotional thinking about what this means for all of us and I am so afraid that somehow you will interpret Titus' arrival as you being replaced or loved less. Even if you only have that thought fleetingly, I can't stand for you to ever think it. You are and always will be my first baby. That makes you very special, even though I already love Titus like I love you. My love has doubled, not split.
I am so excited about the days, weeks and years to come with our family of four. I adore you my sweet boy.
-Mommy
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| Visiting through the glass at the NICU |
PS: Titus looks almost exactly like you did when you were born. Now every time I look at him I not only get to create new memories, but it brings me back to when you were a newborn.
