What I've loved about this week

This weather has simply been amazing.
Who knew it could be so nice in March?
We've loved it around here.

I love that I've been able to clean with the windows open during the day.
And sleep with them open during the night.
Braden's also enjoyed being outside more.
He loves to just walk and walk.
I've also discovered that while he is out on the deck he likes to throw things over the deck...
His shoes, the tv remote, my flip flop, his bubbles... the boy just likes to throw things down!

I also like the fact that he doesn't need to wear many clothes because...
my goodness, getting a toddler dressed can be a lot of work!
I'm a fan of letting him walk around shirtless or just with his diaper on.
He'd happily be naked, if we let him, but considering we have carpet...

It's also been nice to spend time outside as a family, whether its going to the park and walking

Or letting Braden walk around in the tennis court outside. 

He's just so happy about being outside and I know that as he gets older, that's all he will want to do!

I'm okay with that. 

The weathers been beautiful and I know that Braden would be happy if it stayed this way! ;)

What I love about one

Having a newborn is a great experience... one I am looking forward to experiencing again months from now. I do, however, really enjoy having a one year old! Its such a fun age. 

I love how Braden is able to feed himself, how he is pretty much willing to eat anything.

Let me tell me, the boy LOVES to eat and drink juice. 

He knows that when we go through the line at starbucks he will get a juice box and he gets so excited.

I love how in the morning when I go to get him out of his crib, he stands up and reaches for me. Then, he puts his head on my shoulder. 

I love how happy he can be. Laughing and smiling constantly. 

I love how he plays. Always reaching for new things. 

I love how he is my little go-er. He constantly wants to walk... he's happy with just walking in a store.

He's so fast and whew, it can wear a person out!

I love how he talks. I look forward to hearing more from him. Especially the word, "mama" if he ever decides to say it! ;)

I love how at this point he'll still let me hold him and how there are those moments where he just wants his daddy.

I love how he wants his daddy... love hearing them talk and play. Its my favorite thing and could just make me cry because its so amazing.

I love the faces that he makes and how he gets them from me. 

I love how being outside is his favorite thing. He just wants to be outside... to walk, to run around, to play with his ball, to feel the grass in his hands.

I love how he has to have his big white bear with him at night. How he'll sit up and play with it.
How he'll grab it, bite its nose, and cuddle with it. So cute. 

I love how he's becoming his own little person. I love to see his personality and wonder who he will grow to be.

I love so much. 

Things I enjoy

     A new do. 

     Love the red in my hair. 

    This boy and his cuteness.

    He sat on the couch for a good twenty minutes eating his raisins. 

                              New sunglasses.

     Panda express.

     Watching him devour a eggroll was cracking me up.

    A Denzel Washington Movie.

    He's my favorite actor.

    Mint brownie ice cream, pjs, and my baby bump.

Lasts

A few nights ago completely unaware of it, I nursed this one for the last time. 

I expected it to take much longer than a few months to wean him and I expected him to struggle with it.

But he hasn't, not really. We give him some milk or water before he goes down and he's perfectly fine. 

For me, though, its been a strange thing. Its strange having stopped because nursing him has been something I've done since he was born...everyday, so to not be, is a bit sad. 

He no longer needs me in that way and that breaks my mama heart a bit. As mama's I think we think about firsts a lot... we remember those the moment.

The first time...

I saw him.

He held his head up.

He crawled.

He ate solids.

He walked.

He said dada. 

The lists of firsts go on and on, but lasts are important too. 

As much as it may break my heart, my little boy growing up, and doing things for a last time, it is a good thing because it means he is growing and developing.

So grow baby grow! 

Prayers for you

Yesterday I wrote about being pregnant with our second baby, but I've been thinking about what I'd write since the beginning. Lately I've read many posts about other bloggers losing babies and I recently read this post on waiting to get pregnant and this post on mama's who are hurting because of losing their babies. Those posts touched my heart and stuck with me. They caused my heart to ache.

Even as I write this I'm struggling not to cry for those women.

For those women who so badly want a baby of their own.

For those women who have lost babies.

Oh, it hurts my heart. I don't understand it. I can't wrap my head or heart around it. 

But I do think about you and I do pray for you. 

That's all I can do really.

For those waiting:
I pray that you will feel God's arms tightly wrapped around you, loving you.
 I pray that you know He knows your desire, He knows your heart.

For those who have lost:
 I pray for comfort and hope. I pray that you know God's love for you and your baby.
 I pray you feel God close to you because He is. He knows your desire too.

Number Two

As in there's a baby in there. We found out on December 23rd *hence the picture* and I was completely surprised. I took the pregnancy test just because I was feeling super tired and not myself. I walked out of the bathroom with a huge smile on my face and a heart surprised. Husband was surprised to, but we are both very happy. 

We were going to wait until I hit the 3 month mark to tell everybody, but then after taking this picture, we just couldn't! Braden of course has no idea whats going on, but we are very much excited that he is going to be a big brother and see how that will go. 

I haven't been great. Horrible morning sickness that lasts all day. It wasn't this bad last time, but like the doctor said at my first appointment today morning sickness is a good thing. I'm 8 weeks and 3 days. The due date is August 27th, but I'll have a c-section the week before. I haven't been around the blogging world much simply because I haven't been feeling up to. I haven't really been feeling up to anything lately... just sitting on the couch, sleeping, and trying to figure out what I can eat that will actually stay down. So far its been carrots *pretty sure I've gone through like 5 bags*, broccoli, rice krispies, and last night I actually ate taco johns. My belly was happy about that. 

I hope that I'll be around more, but I can't promise it. Hopefully I get over the morning sickness soon, but if not that's okay. Babies healthy, so mommy and daddy are happy.

Christmas Day

 

 

 

We celebrated Christmas with James' family on Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day with my side.

Here's what it entailed:

1. Just the three of us at the park. It was around 50 degrees out. CRAZY!

2. Opening presents at my grandma's.

3. Sitting on mama's lap waiting. Apparently he's bored or thinks someone's nuts (totally a possibility).

4. His new favorite toy. A ball that lights up and jumps around.

5. A new Christmas ornament. Airplanes, of course.

6. Homemade pizza. That's our tradition for Christmas dinner! SO good!
7. Our annual family picture by the tree.

8. A very tired boy in grandma's arms. He never sleeps like this anymore!

9. Oh, wait...I'm awake because Daddy's going to read me a story! 

THE END. Well, not really...we still have another Christmas today. 

How was your Christmas? Get anything fun? What did you do?
Tell me. For real. I want to know!

Christmas Eve

 

1. The Christmas tree

2. He turned 13 months old today!

3. Putting Jesus on the mantel with the rest of the nativity set.

4. Jesus' birthday cake. Singing Happy Birthday.

5. Snacks.

6. My husband and his dad ready to hand out gifts.

7. Playing with his toy train from his grandparents.

8. Mama helping him open a movie.

9. His new popper toy. James and I both had one of them when we were little.

10. Checking out his toy helicopter with his uncle.

11. Everyone.

12. Gift from my husband.

13. Air hockey from me for my husband and I to play!

Christmas pictures

I was going to take a blogging break til after Christmas, but then I got excited about these photos. 

(He does have a diaper on. Promise).

Playing with Christmas

1. Enjoying the Christmas tree and lights

2. Bell ringing. If only we could teach him to say, "Merry Christmas!"

3. Trying to figure out the nutcracker