A Letter From Your Father

(Brian and I have decided that every year on your birthday we will write you a letter.)

Thomas,


This has been the most wonderful time in my life. The day you were born I can say that I have never been happier, prouder, and amazed in my life. The first time I held you I knew love like I never had before. You have brought so much joy to your mother and I.

I look at you and watch you and see so much of your mother and some of me also. So much of what attracted me to your mother I see in you. You have your mother’s determination, stamina, and good looks. You have my laugh and appetite. You are the most beautiful child I have ever seen and everyone tells us so.

Thomas I come in everyday from work and no matter how bad a day I have had your smile can brighten it. When I say “Whose little man are you” your reply of dada makes me so proud. Your ability to learn new things so quickly shows just how brilliant you are. I tell everyone all the things you do on a daily basis. I wake up at night just to watch you on the monitor and look at you while you sleep. I thank God everyday for the most wonderful gift he could have given me.

The future holds so much for you son. You make it what you want and always know you have a supporter in me. I will try and give you everything I can and give you more love than you will ever need. No one will ever take your place in my heart and know that I will be there beside you always.

T you are my little boy who I love so much. No matter how old you get and how big and strong you may be, you will always be MY LITTLE MAN.

Love

Your Dad.

Thomas is ONE!

1 year...


365 days...

52 weeks...

A year seemed to creep by until I became a mother. A year seemed to last an eternity. A year has never meant so much to me until now. Time is certainly put into perspective when you bring a child into the world. They change so much in 1 short year. They come into this world so tiny and fragile depending on you for everything. They lay in their crib so innocent and sweet and you pray over them each night that God will keep them safe. You pray that he will give you the tools and the instinct to know what is best for them. But mainly you whisper prayers of ... "Thanks!" Thanks for choosing me! Thank you for allowing me to understand unconditional love.

Thank you Lord for...

* Thomas's smile each time I get him out of his crib in the morning..

*his sqeal when he is filled with excitement....

*the way he reaches his arms up for me while saying, "mamama"...

*the times he reaches up and looks at me with those big used to be blue...now kinda hazel eyes......

*the sweet sounds that come out of his perfectly formed lips

*the way he rests his hand on his paci in his mouth with his thumb and pointer finger....

*his tenacity to go after what he wants...

*his sweet spirit..

*his slobbery kisses..

*his fat little hand as it pats my leg or back

*his excitement as Brian pulls in the driveway

*his way of making everyone around him...HAPPY!

Thomas has brought unexplainable joy to our lives and continues to make our days more meaningful. He has taught me the true meaning of God's ultimate sacrifice. He has taught me more in one year that I have learned in my lifetime. He has changed our world and made it complete. Thomas is a blessing that we are most grateful for and although at times overwhelming we wouldn't trade it for anything. This year has taught me to embrace each moment and appreciate each stage for they are gone to fast.  I have learned that life is a vapor.  Thank you Heavenly Father for the life of my son and allowing us to hold on to him for the time.

Tomorrow we celebrate big time, but today... I just stared at you and gave thanksgiving. With a lump in my throat, "Happy 1st Birthday Thomas!". 

My Funny Valentine

Sweet Son,

We love you like monkeys love bananas;

Like Pop loves fish;

Like bees love flowers;

Like pigs love mud;

Happy Valentine's Day HoneyBun!

Super Bowl

We went two doors down to watch the Super Bowl this year. It was really fun, but unfortunately I did not take pictures. We came home early to get Thomas in bed and did take these:

Brian is stead-fastly watching the game. I wasn't even aware of who played this year.

We got very rowdy, can't you tell?

11 Months

Thomas turned 11 months old several weeks ago.  He is getting more and more fun by the day. Here are a few things going on with him:

-He weighs about 21 lbs. and is 28 inches tall.

-Wears a size 3 diaper, but at night he wears size 4 because we have the hardest time finding overnight diapers in a size 3.

- He is an excellent communicator.

-Has gone through some rough periods with night time sleeping. The first rough period was with teething a few weeks ago and most recently he has been seriously fighting going to bed at night.  Brian is the best at getting him to sleep.

-Thomas LOVES Sonny. He absolutely squeals when he sees him and just cackels when Sonny's around.

-His very favorite toy is the blow up firetruck/ball pit his Aunt Jen, Uncle Gary, and Kaitlyn gave him for Christmas.

-He's very into music. He is a dance machine.  We just laugh when we're watching TV and a song comes on.  He just bobs his head, swings from side to side shaking his hands.

-Thomas's favorite food right now is Ham and Pineapple Beech Nut baby food. Brian and I love ham and pineapple on pizza, but we've both tried the babyfood and can not figure out why he loves it so much.  

-He is drinking out of sippy cups regularly.

-Has become an excellent car rider. He faces rear, and will for as long as I can keep him happy, and babbles, pulls of his socks, plays with a toy and keeps himself occupied.

-Has started taking baths in the big tub. He loves bath time. We find it the most peaceful time of the day because he is so happy and completely contained.

-He is EVERYWHERE!! He isn't walking yet, but he has mastered a quick crawl. 

-Standing up unassisted is a new thing. This lasts a few seconds and he drops to the floor. 

-Shakes his head back and forth, like he's saying, "no". I really try to limit my "no's" and save them for serious things like getting into the fireplace, etc. Instead I say, "Danger" or "not for Thomas" and redirect his actions.  I wasn't really sure where he had learned the head shake from. And then one day as he eased over to the fireplace I said, "Thomas" in my most serious voice, he stopped crawling, turned and looked at me and shook his head like saying, "no". Oh, it's so funny the things they learn.

-Puts his hat up to his head, like he's gonna put in on.

-Puts the thermometers up to his ear, like he's going to take his temperature.

-Says "DaDa" so so so much. I'll say "Mama" and he says "Dada", I say "Mama" more seriously and he says "Dada" more seriously, I say "MAMA" loud and serious, and he says "DADA" loud and serious.... and just laughs. He and the "Dada" think that is hilarious.

-Signs "more" all the time.

I could go on an on about all the funny things his doing these days. He is such a joy, so happy, so affectionate.

What To Wear, What To Wear?

Winter Bliss

Our little Snow Angel!

Our first child, Sonny, enjoyed the snow too!

Thomas went on his first sledding adventure with Mommy.

This last picture was taken around 10 pm from our living room with no flash.  God is such a beautiful artist!