A Year of Letters from My Baby
By Alexandra De Martini
Spring
Dear Mama,
I am now 3 months and you must go back to that place you call work. I will make sure Nanny takes lots of pictures, and keeps a good record of all my bottles, naps, and poops… Don’t cry Mama, you found me a good one, I’ll be fine…
Love, Baby
Dear Nanny,
Sorry Mama called, texted and checked up on every last detail, but I know you understand because you are such a caring person. It’s so hard for her to be away, but she loves the texts and I’m so photogenic.
Love, Baby
Dear Mama,
I know you wanted nothing more in the world than for me to have the most amazing nanny who would sing to me sweetly and hold me when I cry. I am so happy you found her for me, but please don’t worry, I could never love her more than you.
Love, Baby
Dear Nanny,
I rolled over today – how exciting. Are you going to tell Mama? Are you worried that it might make her sad? Maybe we can just tell her I am getting close and I can surprise her? Maybe you should just tell her?…
Love, Baby
Summer
Dear Mama,
Sorry I’m not sleeping and keeping you up at night and then napping all day for Nanny. I will try to work on this. I will also tell Nanny that the house is a bit of a mess, not because you think she’s a slave, but because you are just plain tired.
Love, Baby
Dear Nanny,
Sorry I am staying awake all day, 11 hours straight. I know you are tired, but I want to help Mama out by sleeping better at night.
Love, Baby
Dear Mama,
Oh no, now my sleep is much better. I am napping and sleeping in perfect harmony, but now I don’t get to see you much during the week. What shall we do Mama? I miss you!
Love, Baby
Dear Nanny,
Mama is getting good rest and enjoying work now. Mama misses me, but I think she feels guilty because she doesn’t have the time to worry about me as much as she used to. She is very respected at work, I am so proud of her. Please keep sending her texts, but maybe a few less every day.
Love, Baby
Fall
Dear Mama,
Today we went to a new park where the people were all very friendly and talked about how cute and loved I was until they realized that Nanny wasn’t my mom. Why do people do that Mama? I don’t understand. I think it made Nanny sad. Also, I think you forgot to give her a sick day and she keeps going back and forth between knowing it is a misunderstanding and not feeling appreciated.
Love, Baby
Dear Nanny,
I am so glad that you talked to Mama and everything got cleared up. I know you are scared to bring these things up, but I am happy when you and Mama work together.
Love, baby
Dear Mama,
Today we went to a new park where the people were all very friendly and talked about how cute and loved I was. They all said that I am a lucky baby to have such a nanny and that my mom must be very happy and relieved. We spent extra time on the swings and I made a lot of new friends who were my age.
Love, Baby
Dear Nanny,
It’s raining like crazy and we both have cabin fever and I have a real fever to top it off. Mama is very worried about me. I have never been this sick before. Maybe you can call her and she can work from home and you can take care of me together.
Love, Baby.
Winter
Dear Mama and Nanny,
I am 1 now and today is my birthday! I never thought I’d get here, but the day has come and I get to try cake for the first time in my life – with each of you on either side of me. Thank you both for working so hard, rocking me to sleep, reading me stories, catching me when I fall, and loving me.
Love, Baby.
Alexandra is a nanny, preschool teacher, and sleep consultant. She is an advocate for early learning and volunteers giving postpartum support for young mothers. In her spare time, she enjoys 15-mile day hikes with her husband and rescue puppy.
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