Happy Birthday Eve!

I just rocked you to sleep for your 365th day on earth, and while I did, I thanked you for giving me the best year of my entire life.  I also picked out some bits of mashed potatoes and avocado from your hair, and a little off your ear.  I love you my sweet lil friend :)

Love Mommy

Promises

Dear Jameson,

My promise to you..

I'm realizing over this past year, that I'm not superwoman.  I'm human, and sometimes even when I'm trying to do everything right, I second guess myself all the time.  Your life, luckily is very simple.  You, on the other hand are the most complex creature I know.  I want to make you a few promises, for our lives ahead.. the way I try to live with you every day, and sometimes need reminders to do so.

I promise to always encourage you before I scold you.
I promise that when I've had a long day, to find just a little more energy for one more game of hide and seek around the house.
I promise I will teach you that my face is full of smiles, kisses and laughter, and not anger or frustration.
I promise you that when I'm frustrated, I'll think of what I can learn about the situation, and what I can help teach you.
I promise to love you as much as you deserve, probably more than you want, and for as long as I'm alive.
I promise I'll hug you more than you want me to, too.  Get used to it.
I promise I will always protect you and keep you safe, as best as I'm able.
I promise to live with you, and not for you.
I promise to be patient with you, even when I don't feel like being very patient.
I promise to hold you for as long as you'll let me, and maybe a little longer than that.
I promise I will always be your biggest cheerleader, probably embarrassingly so.
I promise to make your home safe and comfortable, and your food nourishing and tasty.
I promise to teach you how to be a good boy, and a good man.
I promise to respect you, and your individuality.  You sure are a character!
I promise to show you how important family is, and how relationships in families need to be nurtured and cherished.
I promise to comfort you, and teach you ways to comfort yourself.  For now, hugs, kisses and a rocking chair will do.
I promise to love you forever, unconditionally, no matter what.  Pinky promise!

You have taught me how important life is, and a life well lived.  You fill up my heart, you have the biggest smile ever.  You make me such a better person, and I promise I'll return the favor if you let me.

I love you!

Love, Mommy

11 months!

Dear Jameson,

Hi my beautiful boy!
You have just grown by leaps and bounds!
You have started walking.. what started as a few tenuous steps has turned into walking all the time, everywhere! Of course you're still a super speedy crawler, and it gets you where you need to go very fast but you're always standing up (with no support) and taking lots of steps!

You say "hi" all the time, and wave.  You clap.  You do this funny headbanging thing when you're excited or to music.  You say "ruff" at dogs and other animals and almost 'quack' or something as another sound.

You're still not eating much in terms of solids, we've started making high calorie bottles (extra powder) to get you all the nutrition you need.  You do like to chew on food and play with it in your mouth, we've tried everything!  You love salty things, and fruit.  You do love avocado and guacamole (good choice!).  You still love drinking ice water, and you do really well from a cup all by yourself!

We're planning your first birthday party.  Don't even get me started about the emotional mess it's causing in me.  I cannot believe you're almost a year!  We're doing an animal theme, Oma is making your cake and we're having lots of balloons and toys.

We've taken you to Toys R Us a few times, you're so cute.. I just want to buy up the whole store! (we practically have!).

You are sleeping really well, and actually have put yourself to sleep for naps a few times.  You sleep through the night a lot, but sometimes wake up needing us, and that's ok.

You do love the TV, which is helpful when mommy is busy, but we're trying to keep it off more and more so you find other things to do, you always find ways to entertain yourself!

You babble a lot, you have your own little language that I can't quite get, but I'm waiting to identify some of your words.  I'm sure you're sick of me not understanding all those sounds you make!

You were a tiger for Halloween, but you also had your first cold which really sucked.  You were so adorable in your costume (even covered in puke!), we went to Papa's for brunch and then later handed out candy to trick-or-treaters.  You loved seeing the kids but I don't think you liked that they went away after we gave them candy.

You had your first haircut last weekend, oh my gosh you look so cute!  You really do look like a little boy, which you have for a while but this really sealed the deal.  You did such a good job, the place we went to is for kids and they were so nice to you.  After that we went to the party store, and you had so much fun, all the balloons and toys and shiny things!

You have started kind of giving kisses, granted it seems like you're trying to taste us, but it's sooo sweet!!
Well time for me to go and get the house cleaned up for your arrival back from your overnight with Oma and Opa!

I love you my little munchkin!! You make every day seem like Santa came, I can't wait to see you and melt from your smile, and laugh at your little Jameson antics.

Love, Mommy