Little Brave-Heart

Dear Austin,

While there are so many things I just love about you… the way you lay your head on me when you are tired, the way you babble “Mama” every time I’m around, the way you shake your little tushy to music… one of the things I love the most about you is how brave you are.

I know it sounds silly to tell a 9-month old baby that he is brave, but trust me honey… I’ve known you from Day 1 and I know there is one tiny brave heart beating inside your chest.

You aren’t afraid of anything- whether it be people, or situations, or elements. Everything to you is exciting and new.

What is this great big crashing mass of water? An ocean? Ok, let me dive right in and touch it and taste it and know it.

What is this new experience of standing up? Ok, I’m going to just walk and move and venture out on my own… but I’m still going to glance behind me sometimes, Mom.. just to make sure you’re still there.

Wherever I take you, Austin… you greet the change with smiles and curious little hands. You go right to your Doctor and trust that she is there to help you and make you feel better.

You light up stranger's days with smiles and giggles, and put a little sunshine into their lives.

You are starting to walk and have no fear of letting go of objects and launching yourself forward to get to your destination. Sure, you fall down sometimes, but you get dusted off, get a kiss of reassurance, and then you are right back at it!

Soon you will move into a new room at school, but I know you won’t be sad, but rather excited. New kids to make friends with, and new teachers to learn from!

Honestly, I wish I could be more like you, and even though you are just a baby, I am learning so much from you about how to be brave and meet everything with a smile. I’ve always been so cautious and so weary to try anything out of my comfort zone. Having you in my life is a daily reminder that life is an adventure, and should be treated as one.  

Thank you for being my little brave-heart… for being so curious and so strong. We all need reminders to smile whenever we are scared, to get right back up after we fall, and to dive right in to new experiences with enthusiasm.

So keep exploring my little one! Me and Daddy will always be behind you whenever you need to glance back for reassurance.