Just Right.

I love that my windows aren't perfectly clean anymore.

Overheard Conversations.

Yesterday, as Mr. Favorite was feeding Big his breakfast, I was in another room but could hear Mr. Favorite talking to Big. It was very, very sweet.... and then I heard this:

Mr. Favorite: Ok, Big. There's another baby coming and when there are two babies, you're going to be my baby because you're easier.

I'm thinking that doesn't sound like too bad of a deal for me. Little won't be mobile for a long time and Big has taken to running at full speed. I'm honestly not just real sure that I could catch him even if I wasn't 17 days from delivering this next sweet baby boy. I am really looking forward to having Little in my arms. I thought I was ready for Big, but having almost 16 months of parenting experience behind me makes me all the more confident for Little's arrival. Truth is that it is the most precious experience I've had outside of my relationship with Jesus... and I believe they're actually connected. My relationship with my Savior has created a person who is capable of truly loving - and of exhibiting patience... Without the work God has done in my heart, I know I would be a lesser mom. Without being too prideful, I am actually proud of myself in this role. I believe what James 4:6 states - that God gives grace to the humble. I have many times found that humility on my part has opened the door for God to shower his grace - his ability to continue - on me. And, as I've mentioned before, my fave verse (right now anyway) is also in James... Where in the very beginning we're encouraged that if we don't know what we're doing (and really, who honestly does?) that we can ask God for help - and not only does he help, but he doesn't condescend to us for asking. How precious to have a Father God looking out for us - willing - willing - willing to help. Love that.

Early Lessons Learned.

Last night we were sitting in our front yard enjoying the almost tolerable weather when we heard the strained sounds of a toddler vehicle...Big watched as the two (very cute) little girls just drove right on by...When the driver (the blond chick) turned around to go back, Big was still mesmerized and only after they had passed began to wave and try to be friends...Breaking his momma's heart at how badly he was trying to be friendly as they just coldly drove away...It appears he then realizes how futile the efforts of chasing down hot chicks in pink jeeps are...
Only to have them come back again...And, again he is mesmerized...This time, on her way back, she is especially cruel and stops right in front of our house...And then leaves him there again...His momma is going to have to grow thicker skin by the time this kind of treatment from girls really happens. My heart was so sad watching him try so hard to be friendly to those girls as they snubbed him. (I should note that I'm fully congnizant of the fact that I'm over-judging this situation, but it certainly made me realize that I'm not going to like it one bit when some chick breaks my boy's heart... Lordamercy!)

More Than Just a Good Idea.

Before Big was born, I read a photographer's article on showing time through photographs. One of the most precious examples was of a father and son's hands, the photos taken on each birthday, showing the progression. Of course, in the beginning the father's hands were large and appeared young, but as the son's hands grew into a man's hands, the father's showed aging and eventually it was the son's strong, younger hands that supported the father's aged hands. In just a few photos, a story was told. I decided I wanted to do that, too. On the day Big was born, I had Mr. Favorite put Big's hand on his - I was too out of it to realize it was WAY overexposed, but you can still see well enough. Then, just this last week, as Big turned one year old, we took the photo of Big's hand on Mr. Favorite's. I like that already there is a representation of relationship there. Do any of you have traditions big or small that you do each year to show time? I'm not above stealing your ideas.

The Big One.

Yesterday was Little One's big birthday number 1! We are so blessed to have a community of friends and family who love us and love Little One. We celebrated big - Mr. Favorite got to use his oh-so-cool grill and had his friend, we'll call him Mr. Earthy-Biz until I can think of something better (He's very in-the-know on organic foods, etc. and has an incredibly sharp mind for business.), was able to bring his matching grill over to help with the food. We had steaks and chicken, grilled corn-on-the-cob, squash, and potatoes. So, so good! For the sweet I had cupcakes.

Here's a note-to-self regarding the danger of cupcakes vs. cake: If you have a cake, you're not as tempted to partake of the sweet before the party. With cupcakes, who will know if you eat one? There's little to no evidence! I wouldn't even let myself un-tape the box the cupcakes came in until just before the party. They smelled SO good even through the cardboard of the box!
On with the story... We gave everyone a chance to eat and then let Little One have his first real taste of sugar. He was too funny - he kind of acted like he wasn't sure it was ok and was very hesitant at first. Didn't take him long, though, before the whole thing disappeared.
Mom & Joy Lin (I told them it looked like Mom was resisting!)
Joe's neice, CurlyQ. So cute!
What joy to have my home filled with people I love.
Layla (Spanish for Granny) was loving the cupcake time just as much as Little One!
By this time, Little One was through! He was so stinkin' tired!
And, he rarely just sits in a lap. This was a super tired Little One.
But, he must have gotten a second wind! He LOVED the balloons! (and, yes, this is the third wardrobe change! - a fourth to come)
This was too fun...
His face was too cute watching the balloons go. So sweet.
So, I think it may be appropriate now for Little One to be Big. He'll always be my sweet little boy, but as a mom, I know that he will only continue to grow and change. So, from here forward... (this is a little bit sad) Little One will be Big.