One Year Old!

Dear Brantley,

Today is your birthday. A year ago today you were born. I cant believe a year has passed. I remember the first time I held you and the overwhelming love that I felt. And just this morning when you sat in my lap,and looked up at me with those big brown eyes and smiled, I felt it again.Overwhelming love.

You are the best thing I have accomplished in my life to date. To see you grow each day, watch you learn, laugh, play and smile brings so much joy to my life. The past year was not easy by any means. There were days it was a struggle just to get through, but then came the moments of pure joy. A snuggle in the morning, a smile, laughing during play time, hugs. And all those moments made the dirty diapers, fussing, crying, lack of sleep, etc. so worth it. I suspect one day, when you are a daddy, you’ll understand exactly how this feels.

You’re growing so much. You love to run and explore. You love to laugh and play. You don’t like to be held anymore, except first thing in the morning when we have our snuggle time in the recliner. You love blueberries and will eat a whole carton if someone lets you. You definitely smashed your smash cake. You’re learning lots of words, and trying so very hard to say them. So far you are trying to say duck, flower, dada, tiger, water, and bird. Of course they don’t actually sound like the words yet (example: bird sounds like baaar, but I know it’s what you are trying to say).

You are a good sleeper still. With me you take two naps aday and sleep 10 – 12 hours a night. But if you don’t get the naps you aren't really fussy – just on go because you know if you stop you’ll pass out. You LOVE people. You aren’t shy at all and will smile at everyone, everywhere. We've made lots of friends in restaurants and grocery stores.

You got a sandbox for your birthday which is perfect for you. You love to dig and play and explore in it. You also like the new wagon and going for rides. Overall you love being on the go all the time. You are not one to sit still. All my pictures of you lately I’ve had to take while you were on the run.

This past year has been amazing buddy. You’ve grown from a baby into an active, happy, sweet  and smart little boy. I can’t wait to see what the years to come bring. I just hope you stay this happy and sweet. =)

I love you so much Buggy.

Mommy

10 months

Dear Brantley,

10 months have now passed since you were born. I can't beleive it's been almost a year! You've now been in the world longer then you were growing in my tummy. It's crazy how much you have changed. At 10 months you are such a social kid (notice I said kid and not baby). You love people. You especially love the ladies and are such a little flirt. Most everyone will get a smile from you, and if they are lucky a wave or a clap. There is no doubt in my mind you will be a social kid and I'm happy for that.

This month you've learned lots of things! You are now walking proficiently. You still fall on your butt a lot but you can (and do) get almost everywhere you want to go walking. You are trying to start to run. You start walking really really fast and keep going. Whenever you get excited about something this is what you do.  Whenever your daddy gets home you go running to the door. Man do you love your daddy. When your daddy is around I am just not good enough anymore.

You've also learned how to clap, which you do all the time, and blow raspberries which you also do all the time (especially when I'm feeding you!). You think it's so funny! You are also getting more independent. If you can do something and I do it for you sometimes you will get mad. You don't like being fed anymore - you much prefer finger foods. However there is one food you will always let me feed you - YOGURT! I swear you could eat your weight in yogurt. Speaking of weight - you are now 19lbs. Still on the smaller side, but that's ok.

You only have the two teeth still, but I don't think it's long until more because you have been fussy lately. You're also starting to be a little bit more clingy - especially in the mornings. You want me to hold you for a right good while before you start playing and some days you want to be held longer. Thats ok though - you used to never want to be held, so I cherish those minutes you'll cuddle up next to me in your chair.

You are starting to talk more (just babble) and are starting to recognize words. I know that you know your name, no and up and I think you know duck (or duckduck) and stick. Still waiting for the first mamma or dada though.

Funny story - I was giving you a bath the other night and jokingly asked, "Who do you like better mama or dada?" You looked right and me and said "dada" and then of course followed it was "dadadadada". I think your dad is brainwashing you ::wink::.

We're back to going to the gym on the days mommy doesn't work and you love going because it means you get to play with grandpa and Bear. Grandpa always takes you for a ride and you get to pet Bear. You love all your grandparents so much. You've started crying when you have to leave their houses! They hand you to me and you cry. It hurt my feelings the first time - then I realized it's just because you have so much fun at their houses and love them so I can't get but so mad.

Brantley, you are one loved child. There are so many people in your life and show you that. We are so lucky to have you!

This months favorites: yogurt, talking!, daddy, grandma, GP, Nana, Papa, Grandpa and Granny, dogs!, outside, dirt, sticks, rocks, goldfish, cheerios, purple hull peas, cheese, turkey, cherries, GRAHAM CRACKER (from GP), walking, running, CLIMBING!, and anything else you can get yourself into.

Love always,

Momma

My Wish

Brantley,

I was looking at you today and this overwhelming since of protection came over me. I want to protect you from all the hurts in the world. From heartbreak, sadness, disappointment, and injustice. But the truth is - I can't. You'll feel these things somewhere along the way, and I know when they happen to you, I'll hurt too. I'll get mad, but mostly I'll be sad I couldn't protect you from it. Because I believe at our core that's all mothers want - to protect their kids, and for them to know they are loved. And oh man do we love. It's a love that reaches to the bottom of your heart. It's different then any other kind of love. We love our parents, and I certainly love your dad, but the love I have for you, well it's just different. Unconditional. I will always love you. You may disappoint me at some point, and I may get mad at you, but I will always love you. You are a part of me. And a huge part of my heart. So when you don't make the team, or the girl breaks your heart, or you experience loss for the first time, I'll be there. I'll let you cry to me, or be alone, or do whatever it is you need me to do to help you through it. I promise you I will always be there for you. Always. No matter what happens, you always have that.

"My Wish"

Rascal Flatts

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

9 Months

Dear Brantley,

You turned 9 months last weekend. You are getting to be such a big boy now. When I look at you I don't see a baby anymore. This last month you've been busy! You've gone from tentatively crawling to speed crawling and speed cruising. You'd much rather cruise then crawl now a days. You've even taken a few small steps, but you're still a little scared to start really walking. You're also experimenting with standing up on your own without pulling up on anything.

You are into EVERYTHING! And you're smart about it. You love your puffs so much that you managed to figure out how to get a hold of them and get the top off, which followed with you dumping them on the floor and eating them. Again, you are gonna try your hardest to get what you want.

You're still such a happy boy. You small, laugh and giggle all the time. You are rarely fussy. You're eating a lot of foods now and mommy's started you on some soft table food. You haven't quite got the hang of it yet, but you're getting there.

You always talking and you can make quite a few sounds now... da, ma, ah are the most common ones we hear. Along with you grunting and coughing that you've managed to pick yo.

You also love to imitate us. So you're now waving and shaking your head no (I guess you picked that up from me!). We're trying to teach you to clap and I'm still trying to get you to kiss me without biting my face (although I love my gummy kisses.)

This months favorites: Cruising, kisses, tickles, swings, daddy, pears!, yogurt, seasme street (only show you acutally watch), playing in the dirt, grandparents, swimming, THE BEACH, and play date with a cute girl.

Love you,

Mommy

 

8 months

Dear Brantley,

This week you'll be 8 months. So much has changed in the last few months!

You are crawling now. You are all over the place. You like to chase us through the house, and you hate being left in a room alone - you'll come looking for us if we're gone even a few minutes. You love to pull up and cruise from furniture to furniture and around your toys. You love being on the move now, and you hate being confined. You are so strong!

You like to be the hulk. When you get excited about something you tense up and growl. It's really cute, and it's how we know you are super happy about something. You're also talking a lot now. We hear a lot of  "dadadada" or "bababa" and general babbling. I wonder what you're thinking when you are talking to us.

You are such a HAPPY baby. You're always on go, but you are always smiling. You've finally let me bathe you in a way you like - in the kitchen sink. As long as you can get to the toys to distract you then you are fine.

You had your first beach trip this month - you LOVED it. You are a sand baby! You crawled and crawled. A wave accidentally got you, and even though you weren't happy about it you when right back to crawling.

You are curious and you study everything. You love to learn about new things and what they are.

You are sweet, happy, lovable, energetic, curious, studious, and smart. And loved. Most definitely loved.

Love always,
Mommy

6 Months

Dear Brantley,

You turned 6 months this past Sunday! I still can't believe how quickly the last six months have gone by. I remember being in the hospital and very anxiously waiting for your debut. And then spending the next three days visiting you in the Special Care Nursery - and finally bringing you home. My little baby is turning into such a little boy and way to quickly!

At six months you love to laugh. You smile all the time and laugh at lot of different things. You love to laugh a moms silly faces and dancing, and sometimes you just break out in laughter on your own. You are such a happy baby! You rarely cry now unless you are hungry or tired, a much appreciated change from your first three months where you would have very random fits of crying.

You are making LOTS of noises now. Mostly screeching, squealing and grunting. You love to tense up and "grrrr" when you get really excited about something - Grandpa calls it your "Hulk" move.

You are SO curious about the world and you have to know what is going on around you - just like your mom. You loves lights, noises and TREES! You can watch leaves fall for a long time and be happy. You also love to listen to people talk to you and love to bat a books when you're read too. You love faces and grabbing them - it's like you want to memorize them.

Anything you can get your hands on immediately goes into your mouth at this point - including shoes! We were on on the way to your 6 month appointment when you managed to unvelcro your shoe, take it off, and promptly try to eat it.

You love food - especially fruits. You open wide and eat all the fruit up. And you like orange vegetables, sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash, but the green - not so much. You HATE peas.

You are now commando crawling and constantly moving trying to get somewhere. You definitely aren't in one place, and I don't anticipate you'll be crawling too long before walking. You are so BUSY that you want to explore everything.

The only think I know you hate is sleep. You fight it so very hard. Once you're asleep you're staying alseep for the most part though - finally - so I am thankful for that.

Mostly though - I am thankful for you, and that I am able to be home with you 90% of the time. You make me smile and fill my heart with such love and gladness everyday. I want nothing more then protect you, and see you happy. I love you more then I imagined. You are the best parts of me and your dad all rolled into one cute little ball.

So Happy 1/2 year Birthday Brantley! Your mommy and daddy love you so much.

And we have a roller..

So Brant has been rolling from his belly to his back since he was about a month and a half. I was surprised he was able to do it that early, but I think part of this is that he has a HUGE head and once he figured out he could use it to propel himself to his belly it was all over. However this week he rolled from his back to his belly.... and is continuing to do this.

I am so glad I got to see it! I was so afraid something like this would happen while I was at work, but nope, happened on Sunday night. Preston looked over at me and told me to look at B. He was on his side and working SO HARD to get to his belly. Took a second to figure out how to not have his arm pinned under his, but after that it was over.

I have a highly motivated child. He is NEVER still. I mean NEVER. He's always kicking, moving his arms, grabbing his feet, rolling to his side, etc. I sincerely think he'll crawl and walk early, just because he's so motivated to be on the move.

I love watching him change.

LONG time no post...

So much has happened since my last post!

Baby boy turned three months and is now almost four. I didn't do a 3 months post, because life has been so very busy. First was Christmas and then going back to work. I went back to work full time on January 23rd. It was so hard. I thought it would get easier, but it wasn't. I had to get up at 5:30 in order to leave the house by 6:30 to get him to my moms and then I usually am getting home at 6:30 at night. And starting in March I was going to have to put him in a daycare. After a lot of prayer, talks, crying, stressing, and thought we decided I would stay home with Little B and work part time. I turned in my notice this week. I am excited about being a SAHM though.

Outside of that SO much has changed with B. He's growing so much, reaching for things, giggling, "talking", getting his feet, eating his hands, Standing with assist, sitting with a little assist, and the list goes on. He changes so much each week!

He has his 4 month appointment this week. I'll update again then, however until then enjoy pictures!