Time to Cool Down...

It's been so hot here lately, and it's starting to get to you. Poor thing, you've been cranky for two days straight, and cool baths make you even crankier- if possible.

I am very much looking forward to hopping on a plane in two days so we can meet the other half of your extended family- The Moyers. They are SO excited to meet you, and very excited that they get to celebrate your birthday, along with Grant's and Alex's! Wow, it's going to be so much fun!

Daddy and I are thinking about buying you a kiddie pool, I bet you'd love it! We decided to cut your hair too. I was sad to see the curling locks go, but I know you were overheating a bit.

On the note of milestones, I think your molars are coming through- or something is because you've started drooling again.

Sweet boy, I love you to bits.

Family is Love

You and your baby cousin, Alina.

In a matter of days, we will be hopping on a plane ( your second!) and flying to Wisconsin to meet the rest of your father's entire family. They have been anxiously waiting to meet you since the moment you were born. I have gotten to know a lot of them, either through quick visits to Portland or through Facebook. I can tell already, darling boy, you have an AMAZING family. They care deeply about you even though most of them live on the other side of the country and haven't met you. They are close knit, and love each other so much.

Now, the meaning behind your name will be even more special, because you will have the opportunity to grow up around the people who knew Forest. Your auntie in particular. She loved her father so much, and I think having that connection with you has fostered a special bond. She adores you, and it has made me so happy to know that you will have a special person besides your mommy and daddy who will love you unconditionally. I feel so grateful to have been accepted into this family, and eternally thankful that they are here to be of support and love to you.

In so many ways, you are the luckiest little boy alive. I hope to learn from these people, so that you have some of the experiences they had as children.

Pure Joy.

You love a new smiling face. At this age, most infants are shy, and often scared of strangers, but you, tentative at first, give them your biggest grin, hoping for one back. When you get it, you turn your head, smirking and acting coy. It is so adorable watching you "flirt" and interact with others, I can tell that having a big family has had a positive effect on you.

You are starting to mimic me now. When I clap, you clap. When I wave, you wave. You're also starting to obey when I say "no", even though you pout tremendously. You're sneaky though, you know grinning at me will make me melt. Smart, like your father.

When I am driving home from school, I can't wait to get through the door and see you, because you always give me a huge grin, and look at me as if to say, " Hey mama, where have you been all day?" Sometimes I am sad to come home and see you are still sleeping.

On to more exciting things. Your first birthday party was Friday, and while it got started a little late, it was a blast! Your Omi was there, along with your tia anastasia, Aunt Marissa, Aunt Emily and cousin Alina, your friend Emma, and her mommy Olivia. Barry and my friend Erin were there, and my friends Kaela and Jem. One special guest was my dear friend Kalia. She was excited to come, but nervous, and I was thankful you gave her your flirt grin, because I think she relaxed a little. She was SO excited to meet your cousin Alina though, because she really wanted to hold a baby. She held Alina almost the entire time!

Anywhoo, back to the festivities. We had a pinata, cake, and barbeque. You had SO much fun, it was so neat to see you so full of pure joy. I think we need that more often ;-)

Here are some pictures. Love you, baby boy.

The night before the beginning.

You are turning one in sixteen days. In sixteen days, you will be a little boy instead of my baby, my precious, darling baby. Where did all the time go? I feel like it was stolen from me, and if I turn around, you'll be old enough to drive. How did that happen?

Today, you spent the evening with your godmother, Marissa. This woman has been more of family to me than my own family sometimes, she is a special soul, and I am so glad that you two have a mutual love for each other. She thinks you are the most special kid on earth, and you think she's an angel. I can see it in your eyes when you smile at her- you look like a smitten kitten!

Tomorrow, there will be a lot of people gathering to celebrate the love of you. Your Omi, your aunties, your cousin, your god mother, your mommy and daddy, and a lot of friends who care deeply about you. The one person who I expected to be there you will never meet again, and it hurts my heart to think about. My father, your grandfather, adored you like he adored no one else. He had your picture in his wallet, talked about you all the time, and asked about you constantly. I lost him three, almost four months ago, but sometimes it's still hard to admit it to myself.

I pray to all that is holy and true that you never have to go through the pain and grief that I have felt since my dad passed so unexpectedly. I hope that you are well into your senior years before your father and I pass- loosing my dad so young has burned my soul. I don't want you to feel that. I want you to be as happy, full of joy and curious as you are at this very moment- not tainted with pain as I am.

You are a very special little boy, Ian Kirkpatrick- I predict one day, you will do miraculous, amazing things, and I'm not just saying that because I'm your mother, I'm saying it because I believe in you.

From our visit to the park yesterday. I love your goofy grin.

Sleep, dreams and basketball things...

Mommies like to keep track of their babies milestones. I've written a lot of these in your baby book, but I wanted to share them here.

First off, you have grown up so quickly, it's hard to believe that at the end of this week, we will be celebrating the first year of your life. You will be one in less than 20 days...how did that happen? I honestly feel like you born a few days ago, and now you're almost a big boy. I miss the days when I could hold you and stare at you for hours, but I wouldn't trade your toddling, giggling, curious self to go back, I want to see you run, laugh and grow.

At almost five months, you began to crawl. By six months, you were standing up in your crib and cruising. By seven months, you were standing on your own, by eight and half months you were trying to walk on your own, and on May 13th, you took your first steps at nine months old, and since then you've been my giggling little toddler. You've grown up so fast, and become so stubborn, but I wouldn't dream of missing a second of it.

A few weeks ago, I taught you how to dunk a basketball. The first time you did it, my heart swelled with so much pride, and I thought " that's it, my son is a genius." And then you went and did it yourself, then proceeded to pick up your toys and "dunk" them into your toy box. Seriously, kid, where did you get your smarts?

Right now, we're having a tough time getting you to sleep. Some days are fine, and then others, it seems like you could cry for hours. I wish I knew what would soothe you instantly, but for now, I'll just let you play until you tucker yourself out... you love playing basketball, my little Blazer. I hope you have the sweetest of dreams tonight... I hope I catch a sleepy smile :)

Welcome back.

Hey sweet boy. It's been a LONG time since I've been on here. What can I say? You keep me on my toes :-)

It has been a roller coaster of a ride since you were born, with lots of good ups, and a lot of downs. Your Granddaddy, my daddy, passed away when you were only 8 months old. You only met him twice, when you were first born, and again at Christmas, but he adored you so very much. He used to brag about you to his friends and coworkers, and they all knew of you before they even met you. I went through a tough time when he passed away, and I still am, and the thing I regret most is never getting a picture with the two of you. I only have two of him and myself, and I wish I had more.

Watching you grow, and seeing your personality develop has been one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me. People say you are a special little boy, and they are right. Never before have I seen a little one so sweet, tenderhearted and joyful- and always full of surprises.

You have been the biggest blessing for your father and I, and will always hold a special place in our hearts.
I love you, little man.