To my son...during quarantine.

You literally arrived right before all Hell broke loose in the world.  We had plans for your spring. You live in the best city in America.  And we don’t get to take you to experience any of it right now.
 
What do you need to know?  Let’s see.  Someone in China ate a bat.  Yes.  A bat.  And it gave them COVID-19.  Some call it the Corona Virus.  Others call it things I won’t repeat because they are racist and unkind.  You will literally be in so much trouble if you ever say any of them.
 
This virus is incredibly contagious.  This means a shelter-in-place order has been put into effect across most of our country (and if it hasn’t, it should be).  Dad’s birthday was a few weeks ago, and I didn’t get to throw him the party he would have, undoubtedly, complained about.  We sang to him over Zoom.  Literally none of your aunts or uncles could come over.  Bizarre.  I know.
 
However, there is so much I could actually tell you.  At 3 months old, you don’t seem to understand a lot we tell you.  Most of the things I'd tell you are what folks call "first world problems."  Because, at the end of the day, thousands of people are literally dying.
 
I’d love for you to understand we are doing our best to keep you safe.  I would tell you that we are loving this time with you.  Time that is uninterrupted.  That we can literally tell people to stay away.  We get you completely to ourselves. 
 
At the same time, I would want you to know this time is heartbreaking.  We don’t get to take you to the zoo.  To the aquarium.  To see your grandparents.  Grandma and JuJu are dying to see you.   They ask about you all the time.  You have aunts and uncles you have yet to meet. All have to settle for the pictures and videos we send.  
 
There are things I have dreamed about for you since before you were created.  Your first Opening Day of baseball.  I knew we’d have this picture of you with Fredbird.  Have our family picture with the field behind us.  Not this year.  Baseball was put on hold.  Easter Sunday with all the things.  But, the closest we got was this bunny outfit from Ms. Barb.  The world is literally on pause in so many ways.
 
Yet, we put your room together. Organized your home.  We've gotten to get all the things we planned to do in that 4.5 weeks we didn't get before you were born.  We are working with you on things to help you flourish. 
 
Your Dad is considered “essential” to more than just us!  He still has to go to work every day.  I literally am not allowed to do in person business!  He immediately has to change clothes, scrub his hands, and face when he gets home before he even hugs us.
 
I want you to know despite all of this, the world is not a scary place.  There are people who have lost their minds, lost their loved ones, but we will all be ok.  Baseball will be back.  The zoo visits will happen.  You and I will, once again, take long walks around Target.
 
Until then, I will keep you to myself.  Take too many photos of you.  Wear masks when Dad & I go out.  Listen to the medical professionals, and wait til the world is safe again.

And, in case you didn't know...you're loved.  So much.  By so many.

Love you big,
​Mom
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