Monkey turns ONE!

Though I haven't officially had to tell anyone that I have a one year old the reality has finally set in and I am..... managing. On the other hand, Brooks is loving his "toddler" life and embracing it with flying colors. This week I was officially told "No" by my once sweet baby boy. I was shoved away as I tried to steal a kiss on his chubby cheek. In the very same day I was greeted by a screaming toddler at the church nursery after reading earlier in the morning from my ever-faithful Babycenter.com email that my 12-18 month old will start to show signs of separation anxiety. Why do these emails always have to be so spot on? I could have been fine skipping this little obstacle of separation anxiety. More so, Brooks wants to walk where he wants to walk, feed himself with his own spoon though not a morsel of food has ever come close to staying on the spoon or getting near his mouth, and he wants to put on his own shoes with no help. Little Mr. Independent must know that he is now not a baby {on paper} and the world is his own little oyster of exploration! Oh goodness, this is going to be a crazy year!

As has been noted - I was just a tad emotional leading up to the big day. I couldn't believe all of the stages that had came and went. I never really knew the "hype" that came with the first birthday. It's like this funny feeling of accomplishment. We watched for a year as the baby hit all the milestones right on track, blew out the so-called statistics with his weight and size, and developed just so. Then, you get to one and feel like you should be able to breathe a little only to realize the race has just begun. I seriously have no clue what happens next. I knew at 6 months he may crawl and 10 to 12 months he would start to walk. I knew he could eat real food around 9 months and a tooth might pop through any day. Now I am not sure whether he will be kissing girls this year or riding a tricycle or learning to jump? I guess that will be the beauty of this next year - Brooks will set his own path as he has always done and continue to amaze us as he grows....and wear us out. Cheers to this next year of parenthood with two boys!

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Brooks' party was a blast. I think Brad and I had more fun visiting with family and friends and entertaining in the first time in our house. I loved preparing for the little man's big day and getting our house all colorful for the festivities. Brooks was a little slow to dig into the cake but once he got into the middle there was no turning back. After cake we pulled out the luxurious pool and let the babies enjoy a day at the beach! {This turned out to be a Huggies swim diaper commercial!} The boys weren't as keen on the frigid water as the little girls were but they were all entertained nonetheless. Once all of friends left to go home for a good afternoon nap, Brooks entertained the family by opening his gifts - baby style - in his diaper. It really was a perfect day for the little monkey. He loved the attention and we could tell that he knew the show was just for him. Here are a few pictures from the day.......a little late but worth the wait.

Happy first Birthday Brooks!

Duck Duck Duck

FISH!
Yesterday Brad and I spent the day recuperating from the weekend. It may have been one of my favorite days as a family yet. The little guy was so content playing in his new cozy coupe car that we literally could have gone to the movies and come home to find him opening and closing the door and placing the same cups in the cup holder!
thats right folks, the 30th anniversary of the Little Tikes cozy coupe has cup holders and Brooks must always have his cup holders serving their purpose. Once we could finally pull Brooks off of his car we ventured to see the millions of "ducks" or fish at the Georgia Aquarium. Ironically, though Brad and I have been faithful Atlanta residents for some time now we have yet to do any of the touristy things that Atlanta has to offer. More than that, BRAD HAS NEVER BEEN TO A ZOO OR AQUARIUM!!!!! Or so he claims. I go to bed every night feeling sad for him. Poor poor Brad. I can't wait to take him to the zoo sometime soon but yesterday we did get to check one thing off of our bucket list so I can sleep a little easier.

I normally would say that a 1 year and 1 day old may not appreciate the gazillions of fish at the aquarium but Brooks was in heaven. Every animal is a duck or a dog at this stage and every animal makes the little man smile. He loved to lean his head back in Brads arms and stare at the fish above his head in the fish tunnels. Brad and I decided that our poor children are going to have to enjoy theme parks before they are 3 because after 3 you have to pay for admission and goodness, yesterday would have been a small vacation with a family of 4 had Brooks and Baby B been any older! Anyway, my favorite fish was the giant grouper. It reminded me of Brad - laid back, big eyed, and content. Brooks seemed to like the turtle the best and Brad just liked being sick and having to stay home from work.

Though he loved the aquarium I think he would have been fine at home in the patio with the inflatable pool and blow up fish....not because the aquarium was disappointing but because our patio was that perfect this weekend!

{This picture is just hysterical to me. I can't even talk about me in this pic - let just say HUGE. Brad seems like a neuroscientist with his collar wound a little too tight and Brooks just thinks we are both goobers. I love it!)
So of course we headed home for beach Bagwell where the babies wear diapers and the adults can relax with ease knowing the diapered babies are thoroughly entertained by the new toys and the inflatable pool. Ahhhhhh.......what a perfect day as a little family after a wonderful but exhausting weekend! I know it sounds crazy but even walking around the aquarium with my boys I kept thinking "when I have my own family I'll take them to the aquarium and then go do a pic nic in the park." Um hello, this is your life, Betsy. You are there! I know you may call me crazy or you may know exactly what I am talking about....I have the hardest time living in the moment and being fully present. This birthday weekend was a good jolt for me - making me realize that these are the days to remember - and they are going by so fast. My some day is now and I am just grateful for the big kick in the booty this weekend that has opened my eyes to realize that time won't stop.....even for me! Someone told me last week that as a parent "The days are long but the years are short." So true, my friends. So true.

Partner with me by constantly reminding me to live in the present and enjoy God's blessings for the day - rather than what may or may not happen in the future. Carpe Diem!

It's official and I am SAD!

After a huge day of toys, balloons, water diapers, more balloons, cake, giggles and more - we are all pooped, even Amos! So many details to come but I just had to report the following. It's 5 minutes until 9pm and the big boy is fast asleep from a long but amazing day. Brad and I aren't far behind. Thanks to all of the good-chaos I wasn't as emotional as I anticipated because I didn't have time to get sad. Well, except for this morning as I sat and gave Brooks his bottle. My baby drank his bottle in my lap and it sure was the best gift he could have given me. He does this every morning but today was just so perfect. Thank you, Brooks.

Anyway, I just sat down to start downloading my pictures and in the corner of the screen the days emails start popping up. Babycenter. com - you are the devil. As if today wasn't hard enough the boogers send me an email titled MY TODDLER THIS WEEK. Are you kidding me? Every week for the last 52 I have received an email that is titled MY BABY THIS WEEK. B-A-B-Y not T-O-D-D-L-E-R!!!!

I am irate and now officially a wreck. Why must they rub it in so? At the end of such a perfect day? I might just boycott and no longer pay attention to these usually helpful little emails. Ouch ouch ouch.

Anyway, off to cry to sleep and then wake up and pretend it all didn't happen as I refused to take down the balloons and the decor. We may just celebrate for another two weeks. We just may. I will beat this "growing up" thing if it kills me!

This time last year

I have been busying myself all day in order to dristract me from the obvious. The baby will have spent an entire twelve months in our presence as of tomorrow and I am really having a hard time with it. Yes, I love planning a party and I love having our family and friends over to celebrate (well, Brooks' friends) but that doesn't hide the fact that I am an emotional basket case today underneath my dirty hands and the dust all over my shirt. Brooks and I went to pick out a birthday balloon because balloons are his favorite and thus, the theme of his first birthday party. I loved our date to pick out his balloon but I just didn't want his balloon to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I almost bought him the only other one left - a princess balloon just to stray from the obvious.

I really am in utter disbelief that this little guy has gone from hibernating all day to noticing the world around him to touching the world around him to trying to eat the world around him to now attacking anything in his world - with excitement and wonder. Oh, here comes the tears. I am hoping I am a wreck because baby number two is making me be this way. I blame everything on him these days but I know I'll love him just the same and have these same sentiments next year when little guy's birthday is approaching (but I GUARANTEE I will NOT be pregnant!)

Any who, I am sure after the anticipation of the day tomorrow I will have a fun-up beat post for you on Monday but today, I admit, I am a little sad that time must go by so quickly. Last year at this time exactly I was out walking around my parents neighborhood. I was getting ready to celebrate my sister's high school graduation but while the preperations were in order I set out in the neighborhood to walk this baby out! I walked for two hours, then ate spicy Mexican food and went to bed thinking that the baby should make his enterance since it was a holiday weekend and I'd had my foot massage. I was hoping he would wait until about two the next afternoon though so I could atleast see my sister walk to get her diploma but by that time I was about to start what would be 2.5 hours of pushing the larger than once thought baby.

So, in similar fashion I will eat some Mexican tonight and maybe treat myself to a pedicure this afternoon (not a foot massage because we definitely don't want labor this early!) Then, I will go to bed and wake up knowing tomorrow we will have a one year old. Not a baby - a one year old.

Here's a look back on the first 11 months. Oh, little man, why must you pull on my heart strings each month a little more than the month before. I can't even look at these without a giggle and a tear.
*Note: we have moved twice, had 3 jobs and are now pregnant again - by the way - so maybe I forgot a few months.

My 29 year old husband

Today is this guys birthday. I have been looking forward to a post entirely about him for weeks now but as he has self-predicted, the almost one year old trumped his day. Really, he didn't but he is WALKING and that is kind of a big deal. More so, this morning my writing was interrupted 4 times by Brooks showing off and walking into the kitchen and where else without me knowing. Brooks just likes to do things on his dad's birthday so we'll always remember his milestones....smart kid!

Really, though, I love this person to pieces and he - for some reason loves me despite my constant state of pregnancy/hormonal craziness. So, in copying fashion from one of my favorite friends - here are 29 amazing reasons why I love the birthday boy!

1. He is am amazing dresser. Despite sporting a wide array of tight Jordache jeans throughout high school and college he is now probably the best dressed guy I know. I know it is so surfacey- but I've always secretly hoped the person I had to look at everyday new not to wear tapered jeans and nike tennis shoes.
2. His happy face that he doesn't always know he does (Emilie, you know what I am talking about). It is so stinkin cute!
3. The way he provides for the 2.5 of us every single day without complaining and without even getting half the praise and accolades he deserves.
4. He is constant, stable, consistent, steady. That is exactly what the Lord knew I needed.
5. He loves Jesus more than he loves me and Brooks and anything else on this earth.
6. He likes my cooking - even if it is breakfast for dinner for the 3rd time in a week!
7. He drives a big truck. H-O-T!
8. Brad loves spending time with Brooks and doing "man" things and I love to watch.
9. More so, he jumps to help with Brooks whether it's changing a diaper or giving a bath and anything else. What kind of male doesn't have to be asked or prompted or bribed to do these things?
10. He kissed me on our 2nd date.
11. He looks hot in his high school practice shorts from the basketball team.
12. I like it even more when I get to see him play basketball.
13. He is a classic, traditional, kinda guy - raised by an amazing family who taught him to have the strength of a warrior but the tenderness of a woman. He loves his mama and you know what they say about a guy that treats his mama right? MARRY HIM!
14. He doesn't mind my mama (and best friend) and our 6 conversations a day and actually he often likes her more than me!
15. Two words: Cowboy Boots.
16. He is driven, determined and dedicated to whatever the task or goal is....how attractive.
17. He is well spoken and most of all thoughtful with his words. He despises sarcasm and is careful and slow to speak. How admirable!
18. He likes good music. Lady Gaga and Jewel to name a few and to see him "rap" to the latest hip hop song on 95.5 the beat is quite entertaining.
19. He is easy going and doesn't get upset over little things. God knew I needed that kind of husband too.
20. He adores his family and cherishes his background even though his world now is very different. I love a guy that adores his family and his roots.
21. Did I say he looks good in Diesel blue jeans and cowboy boots?
22. He KNOWS above anything that God is sovereign and in control even if it means job changes, surprise pregnancies, and other life obstacles.
23. He likes to rub my head....almost every night (maybe that is just because I have been pregnant for two years and he feels bad so maybe I should stay pregnant? Umm...NO.)
24. He rides bikes with me, roller blades (and is actually really good.....like doing tricks off park benches kinda good), takes me on hikes, and loves to be outside as much as I do. In addition, he is the ONLY guy I have ever seen to be able to go on a fast walk and not look like a girl.
25. Brad is smart. Like one of those really smart people that you would never know is smart because they don't walk around telling everyone how smart he is but he so much smarter than everyone else. You should see the weird books he has read! More so, he has self taught himself alot of stuff that his Forestry degree didn't teach him. I love when he starts to tell me about something that he knows alot about - he gets real excited to talk and has the best details.
26. In the middle of the night when I can't sleep and I ask Brad a question like Brad, what do you think about the oil spill? Or What would we do if a tree fell on the house? or Why is the glove compartment named the glove compartment? - he ALWAYS answers me even though he is fully asleep. He doesn't know have of what we half talked about but I love that he never lets me feel alone.
27. He looks quite sophisticated and intriguing in his glasses.
28. He writes me letters, listens to me whine/complain/cry/worry, takes me to my favorite places to eat, will be seen in a jewelry store or a women's store, tries to dance because he knows I love it, and doesn't mind when I eat his food even if I said I didn't want it.
29. HE IS FINALLY MY SAME AGE AND FOR 8 MORE MONTHS CAN NOT TALK ABOUT HOW I AM OLDER THAN HIM AND FALLING APART!

Happy 29th Birthday, Mr. Brad. I hope you had the most perfect day and that you felt adored by your little guy and me. We are so lucky to have you as our husband/father/leader and best friend. I love you, Brad!

*****
Recap of the birthday celebration: Thanks to Nise, Brooks is fast asleep in Marietta at his spend the night party and Brad and I just enjoyed the longest dinner we've had in years at Kyma in Buckhead. We ate way too much and didn't worry about any diets or getting back to relieve a babysitter. Then we were crazy and went to take a tour of his top floor office with a perfect view of the city. Now we are being old and married and watching South Park - not because we love it but because Brad does and it is his birthday and that is what he wanted so I am going along.

Tomorrow morning we are going to get some breakfast together while Nise is feeding Brooks waffles, pancakes, and probably whipped cream because that is what grandma's do during slumber parties. I am just grateful that I get to enjoy a quiet night and morning and it isn't even my birthday! Thank you Brad, for having a birthday so I can have a shower alone tomorrow and sit in my robe for a little bit all by myself.

Happy Birthday, B-rad. We really are so lucky.

There's no going back

That's what Brad JUST told me as I sat wallowing in my chair exclaiming how sad I have been this week that my baby boy is growing up. He is officially walking! I am really kinda stunned at how all this happened and therefore in mild disbelief. Mothers Day he would just barrel forward and hope something would catch him. Then this past weekend he would let go of the furniture and stand alone for minutes at a time just contemplating his next move and I think, personally just taking in his pride and joy that he was standing alone. Then all of a sudden today he let's go of my finger and just walks to where he wants to go. Just like that. No warning. No squeeze of my hand to let me know he is off - nothing....just flat out walking many steps over and over and even making a few turns. Today he walked from the slide at the park to the cozy coupe cruiser car which had to be atleast 100 feet. No exaggerating!

I AM SO SAD. That sounds so selfish of me but I am just not ready for my little baby to not be a baby. Why must he intwine himself in the strings of my heart and then overnight start to pull away from me and {gulp} grow up???

I've been warned about these feelings for the past 20 months since I first learned I was pregnant with the little guy and now it is here - he is spreading his wings and walking to things rather than using me as his cool taxi.

More on this later. I can't compose my over-emotional-pregnant self right now and I need to go and stare at the big-little man as he sleeps {warn out from his new tricks} and pray harder now that I don't miss each day with the little booger.

How can someone cause such joy and turmoil in my heart all at once? How can love get any bigger than this? Oh, Brooks, it's gonna be a tough week on your mama as you approach your birthday this weekend! Just bear with me sweet boy and pass me a wet-wipe.