ONE YEAR OLD!!!

My little man,

For 9 long months it was just you and I. I held my belly each night wondering who was inside there, what you looked like, and how I would feel when I finally got to meet you. Would I be a good mother? Would we love each other instantly? Then one year ago, my life changed forever. After a long, hard, worrisome, and painful journey you arrived into this world at 6lbs. 10 oz. You looked so tiny. You had a true knot in your umbilical cord, but you made your way out strong and healthy. Right on time. I remember holding you in my arms for the first time, and I was in awe. My whole reality changed in that instant that I became your mom. Your father and I had truly been blessed with an amazing gift. A gift we would never take for granted, and a gift that we would love every day of our lives like it was our last.

This past year, your father and I have watched you grow so fast. You have developed a love for books. Sometimes I catch you sitting quietly in your ball house flipping through pages. Your favorite is “Are You My Mother?” You love your Baby Can Read videos, and you will sometimes sing along with music. You love to say “hi”. You are walking really well, and really enjoy walking around outside. Every night, you and Daddy have your own bath time routine. If we mention the word “bath” you go straight to Daddy. It is his special time with you and I love to see how much joy you bring him.

We are excited to continue to be your guides, your teachers, and your cheerleaders as you discover the world around you. Know that we will always be there for you to celebrate your achievements and to help catch you when you fall. Know that you have taught us much more that we could ever teach you. The love you filled our hearts with and continue to fill our hearts with each day is something that can never be spoiled and cannot compare to any other love on earth. Each day we are blessed to share with you we cherish you more and more. We want you to know, dear son, that you have changed our lives forever. We will always try to be the best people we can be for you.

Your father and I have learned how to see the world through a different lens. From the amazement and wonder that we see as you discover something new, to the determination and resolve that resonates as you test your limits. We have learned how a simple smile can turn our day around and how discovery is such a multi-faceted experience… for this we are humbled.

Here is a picture of some of your favorite toys...

You love to eat your snack ON TOP of your tent!

You LOVE to sleep with Stanley (that is your dog that Juna gave you for your birthday!), your Taggie, and a blanket.

Here is a picture of pajamas you wear now and two newborn outfits. You have grown so much!

Happy birthday bubs! We love you SO much!!

- Love Mommy and Daddy

Ava's Birthday Party at Little Gym

Nathan was very upset that Mommy put wings on him...it was a fairy princess party...at least the boys got yellow wings....okay, don't judge me for putting Nathan in wings.

Loves his photo book!

Fun at Cox Farms

We went to visit Cox Farms during the fall festival preview weekend with our good friends the Burritts.
Nathan quite enjoyed himself. He was such a big boy walking around and going after the goats. He does not have much fear when it comes to animals. For the first time, he ate an apple all by himself, granted I started it for him, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Nathan and His Photo Book

Nathan has a flip book of family members' pictures. He LOVES it. He carries it around the house and talks to it. He gives everyone kisses...it is so sweet. He discovered that he knows how to say, "Titi"...that is what we call my sister. He has associated her name with her picture. It is very cute to watch him just stare at her picture and say "Titi, Titi."

During the day when Daddy is at work, Nathan really likes to look at the picture of the both of them in his book. He gives Daddy kisses and laughs.

His two other favorite pictures are of his Grandma and Papa (my Mom and Dad) and of him and his Moo (Jeff's Mom).

Funny Little Man

Nathan and I had some fun in front of the camera today.

(I know his diaper looks huge on him. We had to move him to size 4 because he was too tall for size 3.)

11 Months Old

I know this is late, but I cannot believe my little bug is 11 months old...almost 1, my goodness time flies! He is a big walker now. He thinks he can run and starts to veer off to one side until he plops onto the ground. I think we have a future soccer player on our hands. He flicks balls, with his hands, around the room. He loves to talk, especially to his Daddy. He still gets so excited when Jeff comes home from work. Nathan shows off for about 10 minutes and then plays hide and seek with Jeff around the couch. It is very cute to watch.

My son has a love for dogs, already. If he hears one, he stops what he is doing, listens and then says, "oof". He gets very excited. When he sees one, he cannot take his eyes off of it. He loves getting kisses from them, and he is, so far, pretty gentle with them. I think he is still a little intimidated by them, and that is why he stays pretty controlled when around them.

He has been testing us a lot lately. It has been taking a lot of patience to get through some days. He has been hitting us a lot too. We have been consistent about reprimanding when the action happens, but there is only so much you can do at this age. We don't believe in spanking him at this age, he just does not understand and I am sure that he will hit more. I have started doing time out with him, and it seems to be getting his attention and deterring him from some actions...but not hitting.  He has started getting mad when you take something away from him, or stop him from touching things he shouldn't be touching. It seems like he went from a baby to a on the go toddler and he is not even 1 yet!