A Letter to all of the New Moms...

I have actually thought about this topic a lot lately. Being a new mom is hard. We need all of the support we can get! I was ecstatic when I saw that the lovely lady over at E, Myself and I had a whole week devoted to this! I seriously could relate like you have no idea to almost each letter. So, today I am going to share a little of what I have learned, which isn't a ton. But if not for others, it can be for me as a reminder for the next time Lord willing we are blessed with going through all of it again. :)



Dear New Mommy or Soon to be Mommy,

Here you are! You are about to embark on a whole new world. Seriously. All of the months of pregnancy prepared you but really left you clueless on what it is truly like to become a mom! You were prepared to change diapers and organize your nursery, pack your diaper bag and pick out that cute "coming home" outfit. Don't worry. I am not about to scare the reality into you! ;)

You have probably already heard countless times how Your life is going to change!It will never be the same!Sleep now, while you can! Yes, bringing that little helpless piece of sweet, grunting baby home is sooo different from what you have ever done. But, those early days really do go by quickly even when they don't feel like it.

Try not to obsess about how much your little one will eat. As long as he/she gains weight you're doing your job! If your baby is lazy and doesn't want to breastfeed without falling asleep, then has a meltdown when he unlatches. Take a breath. It's going to be ok. A bottle will NOT ruin things. If pumping for a year (yes, I did. I should totally receive an award. ) is the only way to ensure that your babe gets breast milk. It's ok. If you need to supplement with formula? Go for it! Remember. As long as he gains weight, you are doing great! Don't let any momma guilt enter in. You are their mommy and you do what is best for the both of you.

The first month is the hardest. But, it is because you have never done this before! Don't be so hard on yourself! Give yourself time. Go grab some Sonic happy hour or walk the isles of Target. Trust me. This will do wonders. Get out of the house. It is for your sanity and so you can be a better mommy! ;)

Also, don't obsess about nap schedules. You will drive yourself crazy. Soon enough they will be napping at regular scheduled times. In the mean time? Hold that sweet boy or girl. Let them nap right there on your chest. Soon? They will be too big to lay there like a ball against you and will want to squirm their way, right out of your arms! Rock them. Snuggle them. They become so independent so fast! Although you get so excited when you see them reach a new milestone, your momma heart aches a little each time too. :)

This is the biggie. Try your darndest to not compare you and your baby to another mom and her baby. Each baby is soo different. Your baby will reach all of the milestones that they need to. They are not behind in anything! Your baby is perfect! Rolling over, sitting, crawling, walking, etc.. they will get there in their own time!

If you like things to be clean and orderly like me? You will soon find that it is near to impossible to keep things perfect. Your living room will look like a showcasing for all of the latest kid toys and contrapments around. They will soon become a part of your decor.

Ladies. The days, weeks, months, then soon the whole year will be gone. It's ok to cry when they turn 11 months. Heck it's ok to cry the whole month. Go ahead. Try not to! You.will.lose. You will remember the sleepless nights, the pitiful crying at all hours of the day, the way they would look up at you in those first days and just stare. The time they gave your their first grin, right when you needed it. The first time they reached over with mouth wide open to give you a kiss. The first time you heard "mommmammma", even if it wasn't directed right at you. All of this you remember. Tears will fall. Soon you will sing Happy Birthday to a baby who is turning into a toddler eating his very first piece of cake and having his first sugar!rush! You will wish that just for a second, they were that little ball of baby tucked under your chin, snuggled against your chest fast asleep.

Congratulations on becoming a mommy! Children are such a blessing. You are the perfect and only mom God chose to be for your baby. Welcome to the tiring, joyful and wild ride!

Love,
Melanie

12 Months!

For my records and so I can look back when we have our next kiddo to compare..here is Westin's 12 months stats and milestones. :)

This month you weighed in at 20lbs 9oz. (25%) Not much difference since last month. I am sure it is all of the moving you do. You NEVER stop kiddo! You take after your daddy and certainly not me in the height department! You were 30" 3/4 (75%).

You are eating great! You love all things most kids don't for right now at least!  You love any veggie. Some of your favorite foods are: black beans, rice, avocadoes, cheerios, goldfish, peas, broccolli and I am sure there are more. You aren't too picky. You had your first taste of the Christian Chicken! (Chick fil A) and I'd say we have a winner! I knew you would like it, who doesn't?! ;)

You also had your first taste of sugar on your birthday. You weren't too interested in your cake. But, when I gave you a taste of some Blue Bell. That was all it took! You were grunting for more! You NEVER beg for food like that. I can't say that I blame you. I love me some Blue Bell too! ;)

You love love love bath time! You jibber jabber the entire time and just grin. You gratuated to a big boy tooth brush a couple months ago and brushing your teeth is one of your favorite things to do! You have 8 teeth. Four on top and four on bottom!

You love to explore. You love to play (bother) the Magster. You think her tail is hillarious. ;) You have recently started to point to things. When you read books or we read them to you, you will point at things. You have pointed out "turtle" in one of your books twice, when we asked you where the turtle was! Coincedence? I think not! ;)

You are so much fun. You have the sweetest grin and personality. You come up to us all of the time and lay your head against us with a smile. It warms my heart. I hope it's because you feel so loved and are just so happy! You are such a great snuggler!

You love "Mr. Monkey". He is your lovey/rattle toy with a blanket. You have attached yourself to him and adore him. I am thinking I need to find a back up just in case something happens to him! Eeek!

We love you Buddy! You are my little side kick and I am so blessed to see you grow up! :)

*All images were brought to you by the lovely and talented Megan Grenn and Beglorious Photography*

He's One!

So Westin is now officially one! He was partied into his first birthday on Saturday. It was a grand day! ;) I had so much fun planning this party. It was all family so not too big. Although I did go a little over board on decorations. But what can I say. He is ONE! This called for a celebration! The theme was "Little Man" so I had ties and mustaches all around. Of course in the midst of all of the celebrating, I was only able to get pictures of the display table that I made...such is life! Enjoy!

He saw the cake!

And then of course since it's a little man party, we had to pull out the fake mustaches! ;)

It really was a great day and Westin had a great time with all of his cousins! Next year I say that it will be a low key party...we shall see. ;)

A letter to My Boy...

Dear Westin,

You are now a whole year old! The moment I found I was pregnant with you, you have brought nothing but the purest joy. You still do. I love so many things about you. You are the silliest, sweetest and most handsome boy. You are so special. You are the one who made me mama.

 It has been a year of learning for both of us!You my son have taught me so much. I never knew that I could love and adore anything besides your daddy as much as I do you!

You have taught me to always find the joy in things, even in the mundane. ;) You are all smiles from the moment you awake until I walk you to your crib. Daddy laughs that even when you go to bed I could just sit and stare at pictures of you or watch you on the monitor for hours. It's probably true. You have been one of my greatest blessings in life. I thank God that he chose me to be your mommy.

I pray not only for you. But I pray for me, that I might be the exact mother that He wants me to be for you. You deserve the best.

Thank you for a year of happiness, tears, giggles and cries. I will take them all again and again to have you! I love you buddy. :)

Love,
Mama

Eleven Months!

It has been eleven months since Westin entered our little family. Almost a whole year ago. I am in COMPLETE denial. Seriously. I still feel like he is my squishy little newborn that everyone said was soo tiny. Now he is this tall, vivacious little baby-almost toddler-like sweet boy! I really can't believe it.

This past month felt fast. With a ton of little changes. We started out the month still on jar baby food for every meal. Now? Westin turns his head sometimes at the mere sight of a spoon. We have pretty much entered into all table food. It seems a little easier, yet sometimes it seems harder. Although whatever I put in front of him, he eats so that is good! It makes me a nervous wreck in all seriousness. My kid is like a gerbil. He stuffs all of his food in his mouth and holds it FOREVER, then finally swallows it. I am not a fan of this little thing he does. Scares me to no end sometimes. He likes to play this game where he acts like he is going to drop his food on the floor. I will gasp and give him the mom look, then he will smile real big sometimes giggle and put the food in his mouth, and then we will clap. Stinker. ;)

He had his first little sickness this past month and ran his first high fever. It was so sad. He just laid his head on our shoulders and was so sweet. I have to admit though I loved the cuddles! It ended up just being a little virus and he was back to his normal self in a couple of days.

He talks a lot now. Mostly babble. But now if you tell him to say "mama or dada" he will repeat us. He growls at us when we get on to him for something. It is quite funny! He recognizes many words now. He loves to be outside and swing or go for walks and ride in his trailer on daddy's bike.

He dances ANYTIME he hears music! He will give high fives. This past month he has really become quite social! I looove it. For so long he seemed so shy. Now he gives the chessiest grin which is the cutest face ever! He will wave at anybody and everybody!

He has started walking with his little toy that he can push. Out of no where one day he just went right up to it, stood up and was off! We were both shocked and I may or may not have to started to get teary eyed. ;) Actually this past month there have been many times that I have gotten teary eyed!

Funny story for memories sake: A couple of days ago we were driving home from the store and Westin was extremely quiet, so I figured he must had fallen asleep. When we got home I went to get him out of the car and found him with his hand in the bag of Goldfish that he had grabbed from the diaper bag and was munching away! I had been breaking them up for him and that day I found that he could eat them whole no problem! He had the most guilty look on his face face! We just started laughing and then he started laughing. It was so funny!

Next month will probably be my last monthly update! I am planning a fun little family party for our little guy next month. He is my first and only baby right now and I can't imagine not doing something for him. When really we all know the party is really for the mama so we have plenty of pictures! I am having fun planning it!

Easter 2012

Easter this year was extra special because Westin was here to join us!

We spent the morning praising Jesus and hunting some eggs at our church!

We came home and let Westin open his Easter basket and wouldn't you know the first thing he goes for is the goldfish! Ha!

Then it was time for some Grammy love!

One of the sweetest Easters yet!



Ten Months!

My boy is 10 months! Westin, I can hardly believe it. Each day you start to look more and more like a little boy to me instead of a baby. I hold each moment when I can rock you or hold you so close to my heart. These days, holding you is something you aren't a fan of. You love to explore and check everything out. Being held all the time, would totally cramp your style. ;)

Your smile makes me smile! I love your new sweet grin! This past month all FOUR top of your teeth have sprouted through. This I think is what makes you look so grown up to me. You have three on the bottom too. Teething for you has seemed to be pretty good. You don't get too fussy or sleepless. You are such a trooper!

Food..food..food. You eat fairly well. Somedays are better than others. You love your veggies still. You love love love puffs, yogurt melts and anything you can grab and feed yourself. I am thinking stage 3 foods you will pass right on over! You are not a fan of the texture at all. But finger foods you can do! Still, I think you are too busy to actually eat and you could care less! ha!

You probably weigh around 20 pounds still. I do have to make note of how tiny your feet still are. You are still in size 2s! I love your sweet feet. :)

Still a crawling machine! You still cruise on furniture too. You have great balance but no steps yet & that is a o.k. with me! ;)

You are such a smart boy. You babble all of the time. Mostly "bababa", "ahhHHH", "yaayyyayyya"! Haha! You do understand words though. You know bye, hi, bath, splash, dance, kiss, daddy and jump. I can say "where is daddy" and you always find your daddy! So cute! You follow me if I say to come take a bath. You give kisses on demand! ha! You still wave when you feel like it. Your newest thing which I love is that you dance!! This has to be the cutest thing you have done yet to date! ;)

You LOVE your daddy. When you see him you start to whine until he comes to get you. I am not jealous at all. I just say it's because you see me all day! ;)



Westin you are so smart. You notice everthing and are very observant. You love to people watch like your mama! Ha! You love kids too, you are mesmerized by other little people! You are such a funny kid and we have so much fun with you!

You and Daddy reading together. :)

Hard to believe this was you and me exactly a year ago!

Whoa..momma.

Love you handsome little man. :)