To My Sweet Cubs

To my sweet cubs,

As we prepare to welcome your baby brother to the family in the next few weeks I think back on the past 3.5 years and how it has been just the 3 of us for a while now. You have grown into such sweet boys, and I'm so proud of the considerate, fun loving big boys you have become. I still remember how naive I was the day you came into the world. You were so tiny, just little pumpkin seeds at 3.12oz and 4.6oz; as small as you were you managed to change my world immensley and I still remember how unprepared I was. Unprepared for your 2 month early arrival, for how much my world would change, for the overwhelming amount of love I had to share with you, for the perspective you would give me, and for the fun adventures we were about to experience together! It has been so fun watching you grow and explore this world while I attempted to figure out this mommy thing without causing you any permanent damage.

Grant- You are my sweet lovey, and there is no one I would rather "snuggle tight" with than you! You are such a curious one, always looking for the next thing to "fix", and always so considerate of others, especially your mommy! You are so much like your daddy, and have a very happy, friendly, easy going nature that makes you such a joy to be around, and your laugh is so incredibly contagious it would make anyone smile!

Reid- My little perfectionist. You are such a talent in every sport, and that I'm certain you got from me! :) I love how you always want to help me in the kitchen...you're reportoire is quite extensive now, and pretty soon you won't need me to make your eggs anymore. This could be a good thing since you told me you like the way daddy's makes them. You are so complimentary and always telling me how pretty and most recently "beautiful" I look, and that you like my dress, or whatever I'm wearing....please don't ever stop these sweet compliments!

There are countless things I love about being Grant and Reid's mommy. I love our pretend play, how at only 3 you already want to play "pretend to go to college", but also "pretend to go to the beach" and many other places! I love your super hero, and robot voices, our picnics, the way you like to play scuba diver in the bath tub, our Friday trips to the donut shop before school to get donuts with "prinkles", your love for "Ruff" and "Kitty". I love your sweet shyness (although you're quickly outgrowing this), how much you adore your daddy, our trips to the park, our "special days", and the way you hold complete conversations just the two of you...and will tell me "No mommy I'm talking to bubba". The way we sing Taylor Swift's "Best Day" as loud as we can on the way to school every day, and the way you know almost every word by heart.

You have been so lucky to have each other from day 1, and truly seem to be the best of friends, always asking about the other when you're apart. As close as you two are Daddy and I wanted to give you more...we know you will both make such good big brothers and have already been such a help in preparing for Baby Payne. Helping pick names; Grant you wanted to name him Mac, and Reid you want to name him Kit, and while those are both wonderful names you agreed that Charlie Payne was the "bestest name". You're always helping pick out things for "our baby" when we go to the store, and already thinking of things you will teach him. Grant you want to teach Payne how to play racecars, and how to make a snowman. Reid you want to teach him A,B,C,D's, and baseball. You both like to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to him in my belly almost every night to see if he will kick, and funny how he always does! This baby is so lucky to have you both as big brothers! I can't wait for you to meet him, and I know he can't wait to meet you too!

I am so lucky to be your mommy, and never could have prepared for the joy you have brought me, and for that I am so thankful. Blessed was the day you came into my life, and I know we have so many more special times to share together just us, and many more to share with your Baby Payne.

I love you so much!

Always will...

Mommy