14 Months

These posts are bound to be spotty from here on out, right?!

My baby has been a year old for 2 months now! Woah.

You now have 4 molars. You were very angry during some points of this process. The only thing that helped was extra attention and snuggles from your mama and crunching ice. No drooling though. Thank you, Amber!

You are so busy all the time. You are like me in that way. You always have a plan (I can see it on your face) and bless the one who tries to interfere with said plan. This can be a good character trait but it's caused me some grief through the years. I mean, you were only supposed to inherit my shining qualities. What's the deal?!

When I ask you if you're ready for your bath you now run to our bathtub and start trying to undress yourself. It's adorable. This itty bitty tiny full of big smarts.

You still LOVE books. You will sit with a pile and "read" for quite awhile.

You still love to be chased and to play ball.

You are a stubborn little thing and some days parenting you makes me want to hide in the closet. I am firm, consistent, and mean business yet you don't ease up a bit. Vi, Elle, and Landry never acted this way towards me. I think this means I'm your mother. Those little girls would be angels all day and the minute their mamas would walk in they would lay out in the floor acting crazy. What a gift you little children give to your mothers. I'm going to blame this on teeth and milestones and not take it too personally.

You are wearing mostly 12 month clothes except you wear 18 month in Bailey Boys because they run small. You love shoes because you associate them with getting to go outside.

We went to the Fire Dept on Monday after volunteering at Babycafe. They installed your new Britax clicktight. Actually, Clint Dover did it. He grew up next door to your mama when we lived in Ohatchee. Your mother's life has come full circle in so many ways. We took them cookies and you loved being parked inside with the fire trucks.

You are 29.5 inches which is why we switched out your seat. Your infant carrier will hold you for 30 lbs and 30 inches. You still weigh 20-21 lbs.

You still wake at least twice a night. You are probably shaving years off of my life with this BUT it'll be alright. You'll sleep when you're ready. I don't like being alone in a dark room by myself either. I cannot bring myself to let you "cry it out" even if you are 14 months old. So, I'll see you tonight around 2 with my boobahs, some snuggles, and all the reassurance you need. But really, if you want to get me something for Christmas, I would love to get some sleep. Love you baby.

You walk around the house patting your belly like Grandpap whether you saw him that day or a week ago.

You ask for your daddy a lot and it is the cutest thing.

We went to ball games Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night of this week. You are everywhere! You want to be on the court, you want to dance, and you want to RUN FREE. Cheers to the next 3 months.

You will give unprompted love to people like Grams, Jordan, and Maw Maw.


Hank,
    This season is so fun. You are really coming into your own and I love watching you learn and discover. You love Odie and Janie and call for "Jay Jay" all the time. Being your mother is the best full time job I've ever had but boy, it is a lot. It is 24/7 and I give all I have emotionally and mentally most days. When I think about your future I don't really wonder what you'll be but more of who you'll be. I don't care if you play college ball, or ball at all. I don't care if you choose a career that is fulfilling. I just dream about you, Hank. Hoping and praying that you will be content and thankful in all things and that everywhere you go will be your mission field. That you will love well. That you will be someone who puts the interests of others before your own. I want our Father to say, "Well done, Hank. You've lived and loved well." I want you to be a sweet little girl's big strong husband, leading her in the Lord. I want your in laws to adore you and think you are a wonderful part of their family because you love their daughter so well. Baby, this love I have for you is insane and I know that it doesn't even come close to the great love that He has for us. From the moment I birthed you, your presence in my life has made me know Him more and better. When I was pregnant I always felt bad when I scolded the dogs, knowing that you could feel that anger and hear my tone. You were my internal accountability. And now, you are on the outside. Following me around and listening to every word and sensing my attitude in all situations. What a refining experience motherhood is. I'll love you forever, Hank. No matter how many babies I have, you will always be my baby.