Twelve Months

(even though he is really thirteen).

He is big. His clothes are big. His diapers are getting big. His thighs are big. He is just so big! He has gone from baby to a little boy over night (I still blame it on this incident). And do you know what, I think I am finally okay with this. Because it is fun, he is fun, and I kind of love seeing him change and grow through each new stage. It's all just really one big miracle! 


In no particular order, I have a million things to say about him. So bare with me. He speed crawls (we are still working on walking), climbs, and is into everything. He took his first steps when he was just over twelve months. He is always busy doing something. He is all of the sudden dirty all the time, and 100 percent boy. He claps when we clap, or when he hears people on TV clapping. He is a happy baby, so happy and keeps us laughing all day. He loves to cuddle and snuggle, we get hugs and loves from this boy all day long. He loves his mama, at least until Dad walks in the room. He is definitely a Daddy's boy. He eats with a fork, and vegetables are his favorite. He now sits forward facing in his car seat (a very pivotal moment for me). We have dance parties in the car. He is my bestest (I am aware this is not a word) little friend. Do you know what my very favorite moments with him are? When it is just us, there is no camera, no video, no documenting of any kind. When I just sit there and stare at him as if nothing else matters but being in that moment and noticing every little move and breath that he makes. Those are my favorite moments, and ones to never be forgotten.


Today I sit here reflecting on this past year. It kind of blows my mind when I think of how much can really change in a year. One year ago, I was a nervous wreck, well not completely, but kind of! I was crying on average 4 times a day (hormones) I was questioning every thing I did as a mother... am I taking good enough care of him, am I doing a good enough job, is he happy, does he feel loved, am I feeding him enough, is he getting enough sleep? And thinking to myself, how on earth do people have more than one child? I can happily sit here today and say... I did it, we did it, we survived the first year of being new parents, and Davis survived living with us (that has got to be a miracle in and of itself). I may have lost half of my already thin hair and Ryan may have a few gray hairs, but we did it. On the night he turned one, I sang to him, gave him his two binky's and laid him in his bed. I told him Happy Birthday and that I loved him about ten times. He smiled at me, and waved to me for the first time on his own (I about died of excitement). I closed the door, and sat on the floor and cried. They were happy tears, and maybe some sad ones too. I love this boy, with more love than I ever knew possible. I love being his mother and I love how he humbles me. You are going to great things one day Davis Dean, I just know it. 


Friend Kaitlyn from Manhattan, whom I love, was in Utah for our ski trip and so graciously came and took pictures for us. She was able to capture some of my favorite moments. Words can not express my gratitude for her. These pictures will be treasured for a lifetime to come! Here are just a few.

One Year ago, at our first house, in front of our first barn, with our soon to be first child, Ryan snapped a perfectly imperfect photo of me. I am making it a tradition to do with Davis every year. Even when he is 16 years old and too cool for his mom, I can show him this and say too bad, you're doing it!