Almost 2...

Dear Brantley,

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've written you a letter. I had so intended to keep this up so that one day I could give them to you and you could know how much I loved you and all the wonderful things you did when you were little. I need to do better at this. But I have to tell you - You've been keeping me busy! I can't beleive how much of a little person you are now - with you own opinions, wants and likes and dislikes.

You are a very curious kid and always want to know how and why something works. You love tools. Drills, hammers, nails, sanders, anything that puts something together. You also love anything that is a mode of transportation - but your two favorite are easily the tractor and trains. You love the tractor and "helping" Papa Rick in the garden. You're talking in sentenances now "Put that back in there", "Brantley help momma", "Give momma back the pillow" are just examples from today. In general your vocabulary is AMAZING! You can say almost anything you want. It never ceases to astonish me. You're learning to count, although it usually goes "1,2,3,4,10,14,30" or something of that nature. You can almost always get to four. You love your grandparents - all of them - and I often here "Go see Papa" or "Go back to grandmas". I'm glad you have so many people that love you!

The beach was a hit this year. You got in as far as we would let you in the ocean, dug holes, chased crabs, caught and released sand fleas, and wanted to "catch minnows (memos)" after daddy showed you the ones he was fishing with. You and your daddy are so much alike when it comes to a lot of thing. I can already tell you'll want to fish because you are fascinated with fish and all things fishing. You will find daddies fishing rods and say "catch a fish" or "fishing rod". It's so cute. Daddy is teaching you names of all the fish already. You can already say - Marlin, puppy drum, stripper, flounder and others.

You dad took you to the pond fishing - and you fell in! He called you a "big dummy" and for the longest time you would say "big dummy" anytime anyone asked you about falling in the pond. The best though was when you said it and pointed at daddy.

You are one loved child. I look at you everyday and my heart swells. You laugh and I forget every wrong you've ever done. You're not perfect - you fuss, holler, cry, and can be difficult - but oh man can you make me laugh. You can fill my heart with so much joy with just a simple "snuggle momma". We still have our cuddle time in the morning watching mickey. The day that stops will be so hard for me because it will mean you're growing up and don't need me as much anymore. I just want you to know that you are by far the best thing that I've done. I love you more then you can imagine and will NEVER stop. You are the only one that know my heart from the inside.

I love you so much baby boy,

Momma