27/07/2024
Oh Archie, where do I start. This time last year I would still sleep in the middle of the night with you on my chest and now I don't even remember the last time that happened. So much changes so fast and within such a short period of time in life.
I can't believe I have you. I also can't believe you are two. You have rounded out and completed our family perfectly. You are everything the baby of the family should be adorable, outgoing, funny, entertaining and most importantly spoiled rotten. Not by your dad and I really but mainly by your siblings. However I wish I could have been the parent I am with you with all of my kids. When you are a seasoned parent there are just some things that you realize don't even matter anymore and aren't worth the stress. As the baby you reap that benefit.
Its been amazing watching you grow for two years and see the things you love. Like Lion King, the Bomble (Abominable), to go mimmin (swimming), "me vive" (me drive), "mine binkie" (my blankie), you are an avid singer enjoying songs like “fast car”, you do things no other 2 year old does like put on your football gloves to run routes with your big brothers and you love mow mowing the yard with dad is the obvious #1 favorite thing. You also know when its time to go to ball ball. And you absolutely do not tolerate being left behind. If one of the other kids go, Archie goes.
You also have different relationships with each kid. Colton you know is the oldest so he will likely help you out so if something is wrong or we have not given you want you want as parents, you can always hear you go running and say "Colm" to tell on us and get your way. You adore Bay and know that she is the one you play with. Whether its Hotel, Barbie dream house or get make-up put on. And Spence is your middle of the road guy, which if you know him makes a lot of sense. He is there for anything else you need in between.
Its been bittersweet because as a parent you realize how fast it goes and there is nothing you can do to slow it down and soak it all in. You try to take all the photos and commit it all to memory, but nothing can prepare you for not only how much you will miss it, but the pieces you may forget. Like it was always "holdey me", which I haven't heard in awhile and consequently I haven't held you in awhile. Its like that those things are gone and vanish into thin air. And you question did I even appreciate the last time? When was the last time? Gosh will I get 1 more time? Like this year you had your last bottle and I didn't even cherish it. Because you got sick and I knew you couldn't have it so I figured now is the time. And like that you just stopped. And boy did you love your bottle so so much. More than any other baby. And if I had known I would've appreciated that last time, because I was blindsided by it being over. But I am so lucky to have had so many firsts and lasts with these 4 beautiful kids ❤.
I am excited to watch you continue to grow and see more of your personality develop. I have a feeling you will be a little wild, like Spence. Maybe its indicative of you both breaking my water and me having contractions for hours only to have a c-section. Maybe because you are both July babies. Maybe because Colton has made you both rotten, lol. I am not sure but I know I can't wait to find out.
And everyone warns you of "wait until they walk" "wait until they are in school" but no one prepares you for when its the last first steps, the last bottle you will hold, the last newborn outfit you will pack away as either "special" or donate somewhere. Your memories and pieces of your babies just floating away like it never happened. I am thankful I have gotten another set of lasts because I wasn't ready and honestly I don't think I ever will be.
Archer Hayes Brewer, you are perfect and so sweet. But if you can feel me writing this I would definitely love one more "holdey me"
Love mom and dad
