Happy Birthday Graydon!

Dear Graydon,

I saw your sweet face for the first time two years ago today.  When I close my eyes, I can still see you.  Brand new.  All wrapped up.  Here.  In my arms.  One of the greatest gifts I could ever receive.  Our early days were a little rough.  You cried.  A LOT!  But I couldn't help but love you so much.  You taught me such a great lesson in unconditional love. 

As the months went on, things got easier.  You smiled more.  Laughed more.  Learned more.  Soon you were scooting around and exploring things on your own.  That's when things really started to get fun for you.  Before we knew it, your first birthday was here.  You took your first steps and you've been on the go ever since.

Over this past year, you have really transformed from a baby to a little boy.  You became a big brother!  Your vocabulary is growing everyday.  You are playing (and fighting) with your sister.  You have the best laugh (and loudest scream) that I have ever heard!  When it's time for nap or bed, you won't let us put you down without reading some of your favorite books (The Foot Book, Off to the Park, The Lullabible).  You like to watch Baby Einstein and Praise Baby videos.  Some of your favorite foods are cheese, goldfish crackers, apples, and chocolate milk.  You love to play with cars, balls, blocks, and puzzles and (often at the same time, creating quite the mess).

Some of my favorite times with you are still snuggling just before putting you to bed.  You often fall asleep in my arms while I sing to you.  I don't know how long this will last, but I will savor it while it does.

You are two today!  Hip hip hooray!  You are growing into such a sweet little boy.  I pray that you catch even a glimpse of how loved you are by so many.

Happy Birthday Graydon!

Love,
Mommy

Happy Birthday Bella!

I'm feeling pretty sentimental about Bella turning five.  It seems like such a big age.  My mind keeps jumping back to five years ago at this time as we prepared to welcome our first baby into the world.  There was so much excitement and anxiety and love and fear and awe at the wonder of this new life.  And here she is, turning five. 

I feel like this past year has been a preparation in letting go.  It seems so silly to think this way as she is still so young.  But really, from the moment babies are born, their lives seem to be a series of letting go.  The first one is just cutting the cord.  But it moves on from there to crawling and then walking.  Going to preschool.  Going to the the movies with another family - without us!  All of these are little things, and yet big at the same time.  Bella will be starting kindergarten next fall.  That's a huge step in my mind.  I feel like time is really gonna start to fly once it is measured in school years.

So I'm a little emotional today.  Sometimes I wish I could make time stand still.  But the fact that it doesn't is probably what makes this time in life so special.  Bella is healthy and happy and growing up into such a sweet girl.  Everything is as it should be and I am so thankful for it.

Bella is so excited about turning five and I am excited for her!  We have a fun birthday planned complete with a little family getaway to Connecticut.  It's time to celebrate!

Happy Birthday Graydon!!!!

Our little guy is one today! First birthdays are always bittersweet. While we are excited about him reaching this milestone, there's always a little bit of sadness as he inches further and further away from the tiny little baby we met one year ago. The day of Graydon's birth was surreal. I think meeting your child for the first time can't help but be. Those first moments of hearing him cry and finding out that he was a boy were priceless. Watching him grow has been a joy. Not always easy. But we've always been thankful for this precious gift of life that God has given us. Happy Birthday Graydon!

Happy Birthday Isabella!!!

Isabella turns four years old today! I love being this little girl's mommy and am looking forward to a day of celebration! Here is Bella in birthdays past:

November 30th, 2005
November 30th, 2006November 30th, 2007November 30th, 2008After this evening, I'll have a November 30th, 2009 photo! In the mean time, here's the birthday slideshow that I put together for Miss Bella!