Dear Hayden,

There are few things I llke more than listening to or reading other mothers’ thoughts on motherhood. It’s amazing how universal this experience is, all the while being so individual, because I am the only one in the world who gets to mother you. Tonight I went to a lecture with one of my favorite authors, and she shared an exerpt from one of her books — it resonated with me so profoundly that I had to share it with you here:

I am your mother, the first mile of your road. Me and all my obvious and hidden limitations. That means that in addition to possibly wrecking you, I have the chance to give you what was given to me: a decent childhood, more good memories than bad, some values, a sense of tribe, a run at happiness. You can’t imagine how seriously I take that… mothering you is the first thing of consequence I have ever done.

I love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Yesterday you took your frist trip to the ER. We were eating lunch at Costco with Elizabeth and the boys and you got up to walk with me to the trash can. You tripped on your own feet and took the corner of a bench to the corner of your eye. It didn’t require stitches, but they did butterfly bandage it. I took a fall very similar to this when I was 3. You were cracking everyone up at the ER — but you did not like being held down for the cleaning and bandaging at all!! They told us it’s going to heal nicely and you will be just fine!

Love you,
Mama

You (2010):

Mom (1982):

Dear Hayden,

This morning I made you a dress out of one of your dad’s old work shirts. I found myself surprisingly sentimental while I was sewing because my favorite moment each day is when your dad gets home from work — you run right into his arms and bury your face in his work shirt. We are so lucky to have each other.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

As an Arizona kid, you don’t get too many opportunities to jump in rain puddles. We got quite a bit of rain today, so you did exactly that!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

In a few weeks, you will be 2 1/2. Dad and I decided it was time for you to have a couple of chores around the house. Your first official chores are sorting the silverware into the drawer every time the dishwasher gets unlaoded, and getting your own clothes into the hamper after your bath each night. You really like your chores, so far!

Love you,
Mama

Sorting Silverware:

Dear Hayden,

Since I started your blog in February of 2007, it has had 3 different looks! Jackie always designs it and it always looks amazing!

The first one had giraffes and neutral colors, which we changed to pink when we found out you were a girl:

Then, just for something different, Jackie whipped up this whimsical floral design:

Then, to incorporate your love of birds, she designed the current look:

It’s so fun to write to you and give you this record of your life. It’s even more fun to be living life with you.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

This week was a long, full week. We spent the week with GG’s family celebrating her life. Although this difficult loss brought us together, we had a great time. Your cousins are in love with you! You had a wonderful time with all of them. I know GG was looking down on all of us with pride!

Love you,
Mama

You and Dad feeding the ducks near GG’s spot:

You and your cousins:

The whole Borer family:

Reading with your cousin Daniel:

Coloring with some cousins:

Dear Hayden,

Today, your GG went to be with God. She will be sitting down to dinner with Him tonight, and then taking a long stroll with your great grandfather, the love of her life, whom she has lived without for many years. We are sad, but we do not grieve without hope, because we know we will see her again! GG lived a long and amazing life, and she was so very blessed by you in the last 2 1/2 years, Hayden. Just seeing you made her whole face light up. She mothered and grandmothered a large, wonderful family of which we are lucky to be a part.

Love you,
Mama

She first laid eyes on you:

The two of you on her 75th Birthday:

Dear Hayden,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today we started a new Valentine’s Day tradition. You had your very first heart hunt! Dad and I set up picture clues for you that lead all over the house. You did a great job looking at them and figuring out where to go next! At the end you found some books and pajamas! It’s so fun to celebrate holidays with you — especially this one about love! You have taught us how to love in a whole new way.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Sometimes we go for hikes on Saturday mornings. Today we remembered to bring the camera!

Love you,
Mama

In Dad’s Backpack:

Some Beautiful Scenery:

Rehydrating — Hiking can take a lot out of a girl!