A VISIT TO THE DOCTORS

Dear Brooklyn,

We went to the doctors today because you started pulling on your ear and I was worried that you were getting an ear infection.

You're not.

But you had fun there anyways.

Sincerely, Lori

SUPER SICK

Dear Brooklyn,

You are really sick.

I'm sick too but you are really sick. The sickest you have ever been.

It is sad. Especially when you want to suck on your binky but you can't breath through your nose so you end up gasping for air. And when you sneeze and have snot running all the way down to your chin.

And you can't sleep which makes us both even more miserable.

I hate to see you like this because there isn't much I can do for you.

I really hope this one passes quickly.

Sincerely, Lori

NEW BABY

Dear Jenna,

Congratulations on your new baby boy!

I'm sorry that he has to be in the NICU for a little while. It breaks my heart and I can't imagine how you feel.

If you have to leave the hospital and he has to stay another night then come and stay at my house. We have extra space and would love to have you.

You are amazing. Stay strong.

Sincerely, Lori

GIMME MORE, GIMME MORE

Dear Amy,

You have inspired me to teach Brooklyn sign language.

I started teaching her "more" and "all done" a while ago and a little over a week ago she started doing "more"!! Yay!

She does it when I'm feeding her or when she's hungry.

I also started teaching her "food", "milk", "water", and "thank you" but she hasn't picked up on anything but "more" yet.

When did Isabelle and Wendell start learning?

What did they learn first? second? third? etc?

On a different note: you guys should plan a trip to Idaho again soon. Or we should come to Kansas.

I love you.

Kiss the kids for me.

Sincerely, Lori

YOU JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH

Dear Brooklyn,

American Idol is your favorite show.

You literally have a whole string of different emotions during the show that have nothing to do with you being a girl.

Sincerely, Lori

DINNER AND A SHOW

$25 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $2 AT RESTAURANT.COM. USE PROMO CODE: COOK

Dear Mom,

Last night Kurt and I used our Gift Certificate that we purchased from Restaurant.com and I told you I would let you know how it went to here goes:

• Since we had to spend $35 we ordered some of the most expensive things on the menu. Kurt got steak and shrimp and I got Fajitas.

• We ate almost all our chips and salsa before our dinner even came.

• We both were stuffed before a third of our food was gone. But the food was good so we kept eating.

• Then they didn't add the tip into the $35 like the gift certificate says they do and since we didn't explain that to them I got to order a disgusting smoothie on the way out.

• Well, I didn't order a disgusting smoothie, I ordered a regular smoothie that ended up being disgusting.

• We came to this conclusion really quick: $35 is way too much food for the two of us. We will be bringing friends or family with us the next time we use a certificate.

• But if you do end up ordering $35 dollars worth of food for just dad and you and you end up feeling sick, just do what we did: Be late for your movie and sprint 100 yards in heels. It helped for me and Kurt was impressed.

Oh, and have you seen the movie Avatar? Amazing. I loved it.

Sincerely, Lori

A PINK EGG

Dear Brooklyn,

Your very first Easter Egg Hunt went down a little like this:

• Your dad got you a nice big plastic bag for all of your Easter eggs you were going to collect, which turned out to be just one. And we didn't even put it in the bag.

• We ran straight for a cute little pink egg which you wouldn't pick up at first because you were mesmerized by the other kids running around.

• I set you on the ground but you were too weirded out with the grass to pay attention to your Easter Egg.

• After all was said and done your dad ate the chocolate out of your egg.

I can't expect much more from you since your only 7 months old and don't even roll over yet but next year I expect a lot of chocolate filled Easter Eggs. For you, of course.

He he.

Sincerely, Lori

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

MOM AND DAD WITH ISABELLE, PORTER, BROOKLYN, AND WENDELL

Dear Mom,

You are the best mom.

I hate living so far from you but I appreciate all the phone calls for help, advice, exciting news, and just chats about nothing. Thank you for always being there for me and my little family.

Happy Birthday!!!

50 years old, right? That can't be.

Well, I hope you have a very special day. You really do deserve it.

I love you.

Sincerely, Lori

SPRING CLEANING

MY LIVING ROOM MESS

Dear Kurt,

I woke up this morning and looked at our house and thought "whoa, didn't I clean yesterday!"

Then I remembered that I was spring cleaning. which means that our house gets a whole lot messier before it gets cleaner.

So when you come home from work and see our house covered in boxes and paper and clothes and books and furniture.... just remember I'm cleaning!!!

And then help me cause I have probably given up hours ago.

Sincerely, Lori

SLEEP TIGHT

Dear Brooklyn,

Please don't wake up a bajillion times tonight like you did last night.

That was not fun.

But if you do then it's ok I will get up and rock you back to sleep cause I love you and can't stand to hear you cry and, well, frankly, I can't sleep through your crying either.

Sleep tight. (Literally sleep tight - don't you get out of that swaddle.)

Love you.

Sincerely, Lori