Bottles and Tears + Halloween

Your Dad and I have washed them a MILLION times. We've assembled their many parts so many times we can do it blindfolded. We might have cursed them on more than one occasion. But tonight, as I packed them away until the next baby, I cried about them. Well, I cried about you never needing one again. The bottles. It really started because I tried to remember the very last time I fixed you a bottle and gave it to you. I couldn't. And I bawled. Because that means that I forgot something about you. I know it's a condition of the brain, to remember some things but forget most, but it's just not okay with me when it comes to you. I want to remember every moment. To be able to conjure any experience we've had together. To know that you are right there in my thoughts when I need you.

Things seem to be moving at a breakneck pace since you were born. You are growing up so very fast. The experience of raising you is the best thing your Dad and I have ever been a part of. Every day you bring a joy to our lives that we are so grateful for. Last night we were talking about you over our dinner date and both of us were just brimming with pride and wonder over what a happy, curious and smart little boy you are. We had just been trick-or-treating earlier in the night and you were so into it. We were impressed at how quickly you caught on and how thrilled you were to pick out candy from the bowls of neighbors. You were delighted and you were a delight. You were the cutest skeleton around. We love you.

Here's a photo representation of our Halloween trick-or-treating!

Fun Day

Just a little note to tell you how much fun you are...

Today, Momma had the day off of work. Yay! I feel so relaxed when I am home with you for the whole day. When I come and get you out of your crib for the day, I imagine the whole day ahead of us and all of the fun we will have, all of the little moments that just you and I will share.

You really woke up on the right side of the crib today and we had a day filled with smiles and welcome adventure. You, working the crowds wherever we went (to work for a short meeting, to the post office to send a present to baby Jack). Me, loving being your partner for the day.

We wandered around the house, playing with toys and electrical cords (your fave, unplugged- of course), we waved hello to Babette and Sam and you threw the ball for Babette. We went on a few walks, we ate lots of yummy snacks (strawberries, mac-n-cheese), we delayed the afternoon nap to do some lounging in the backyard on a blanket (soaked up the warm afternoon sun), we pulled drawers out of furniture to make a boat.




You're just so darn cute right now. I enjoy you so much. More than a few times in the past week, people have commented on your sunny personality. Last week, Papaw said he hoped you would stay this way because you'd have lots of friends in life. Today at the post office, a lady in line was chatting you up and then told you to stay "just like that". You ARE such a joyful little guy and you make people smile when you catch their eye (and you force them to wave at you). I'm so proud of you.

Love Lessons

While writing a little love note to the newest man in my life- Cooper- I was thinking about this: There are many days I wonder what I am teaching my son, what I should be teaching my son. I spend a good deal of time thinking about being a purposeful mother. I know that it is inevitable that he will turn out like me in many ways, but what are the good things he will learn from me? What are the qualities about me that I should try to keep him from assuming? How will I know if I am even steering him in the right direction? There are a lot of things about being a Mom that I will always wonder if I am getting "right", but I realized that I've got one thing going that I want Cooper to learn from me- love. For all the "what ifs" of motherhood, I feel certain that he will grow up knowing he is truly loved. I hope that he takes the love that we give him and uses it for all that he can. To feel secure, to feel important, to feel worthy, to know that there is always something worth living for, and to give it away as it is given to him.

Happy Valentine's Day! Tell someone today how much they mean to you!