drew | one

where do i even begin?  my baby is one.  {unofficially, of course.}

party prep was in full blown mode last night, and i'm excited for tonight.  happy joe's isn't gonna know what's hit them!  what better way to celebrate with close family and friends and seven under the age of five?  a party not in my home, but rather at the local pizza joint, that's what!

again, the word bittersweet comes to mind.  i am so excited for what is to come, but sad that we're leaving the baby days behind us.  i know, i know.  he's still my baby, and i should've been prepared for this as drew has been a monster from the beginning.  i mean, don't all one year olds tackle two year olds on a regular basis?  no?  that's just my kid?  hmmm, imagine that.

without further ado, here is a little recap on my drewbear.  my baby.

drew-

you are {unofficially} one.  we made it.  not only did we survive as a family of four, but i think we came out the other side fairly unscathed.  that's not to say we didn't have our ups and downs along the way {your helmet, the black plague flu...twice, brotherly love, pink eye, new traditions, and everyday giggles}, but let's chalk it up to making it memorable.  i absolutely adore seeing you interact with james, it honestly is one of the best parts about being your mama.  i am excited to see how your bond grows and strengthens in the many years to come.

stats: n/a.  but we have your appointment tomorrow, so i'm excited to see how much you've grown!  as a reference, you are in 2T clothes and size 6 shoes, so let's just chalk it up as you're a monster.
foods: you will inhale almost anything.  you're a man that's good with a fork and knife as grammy would say :) we're feverishly trying to get you onto whole milk and sippys, but let's face it, you like your snuggle time with a bottle, and who am i to complain?  {except for the price of formula...mama will complain about that obsceneness!}
sleeping: all through the night since 10 weeks!  you are easy to put down at night and i thank you dearly for it!  you definitely love your sleep like your daddy, and i don't blame you.  you're constantly growing!
milestones: you are a walking machine now, and just learned how to stand up without needing to be next to something.  you blow kisses and even make the smacking sound, which melts my heart. 
favorites: your blankie. belly tickles.  mama snuggles.  bath time with james.  well, anything with james. 
new things: breaking through your molars.  {although you're a better teether than james, mama is still not impressed.} 
personality: laid back like daddy.  social like mama.  so expressive.  completely vain and you love to look at yourself in the mirror.  {but, hey, i don't blame you.  if i were half as cute as you, i would do it constantly, too!}  you remind me so much like your uncle mark, it's not even funny.  even more so than james.  your mannerisms, facial expressions, and loveable/squishy/adorable self reminds me of him every day.  one more thing i love about you :)

drewbear, you are the most fun, sweetest, BUSIEST little man that i know.  we made it.  i don't know how, but we did.  i am nervous excited to see what warp speed has in store for us in this next year.  but today, i'm going to revel in the bittersweet memories of the past year and especially today. 

i love you, little buddy.

love, your mama

my how we have grown.



reminiscing

one year ago today i was patiently waiting for signs that my drewbear was to come.   i had early contractions, just as i did with james, but nothing definitive.  i was bigger than a house {with the double chin to prove it}, had a baby already at home {although he was going on 18 months}, and was so supremely nervous to bring another home. 

39 weeks

it was about this time that in my hormonal state that aaron came home to me sobbing on the couch with a sleeping james in my non-existent lap.  when he asked me what was wrong, my word vomit came out something like, "i'm an awful person.  i don't want to screw up our perfect family of three!"  aaron calmly reassured me that although we have such a good thing now, something even better was about to happen to our perfect family.  i don't know if husbands really do get it, or it seems like it because pregnant women are hormonal, exhausted, delirious with anticipation.  either way, i was grateful for those sweet words out of his mouth.  he has a way of melting fears away.

even with his reassurance, i {crazy, of course} didn't realize the awesome miracle that was about to happen to our family.

late night snuggles with my only boy. 
waiting for our new brother to arrive!

God chose us.  He chose us to raise two completely unique, spunky, and wonderfully made boys.  little did i know that a week later, on his due date, our lives would change for the better.  we didn't screw up our family, but we gave james the greatest gift we could ever give him.  a brother.

as i reminisce about the next week, counting down the days until our little man turns one, i will be forever humbled at how incredible james took to being a big brother.  i look back through all of my pictures and how this part was made for him.  God knew, He always does. 


He knew what He was doing.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Dale Photography

milestones

well, something new and exciting happened at our house over the weekend.  and no, it wasn't james coloring in drew's baby book.  nor was it the hunt for a new winter hat amongst the spring lines in all the stores, since james decided to throw his out while shopping in target.

we have a new walker! 

yep, drewbear took his first steps this weekend, and aaron and i both witnessed it!  three steps, to be exact.  we have been practicing walking with holding only one hand, and we knew it was only a matter of time.  even james was jumping up and down excited, so you know it was a big deal to everyone in the house!

another milestone surpassed.  and in less than a month, we will be reaching another.  an {unofficial} first birthday. 

{be still, my heart.}

birthday presents already purchased.  cake pops already practiced.  invites already made.  this mama feels like she is ready for this party, but only in a planning sense.  not in the mental state, as i am in heavy denial. 

like heavy, heavy, heavy denial. 

so i am going to bask in the next 24 days that i have left to call drew a baby.  yes, i know he will always be my baby, but he is on the cusp of toddlerhood status now.  i should've been a bit more prepared with this, as he's looked like a toddler since, you know, 6 months.  but, i digress.

february is bright, and full of milestones!  the best is yet to come, right?  and for your viewing pleasure, the vigness boys:

james requested to take a "pic-ture wish dwoo".  so sweet!