Five on Friday

It's that time again!

If you follow me on Instagram, you have likely seen a few of these already.

Here's to hoping they make you smile again.

One.

I've prayed for this - pulling up, standing, the beginning stages of walking. That Baker's parts, which were so beautifully crafted and so wonderfully made by our Father would begin working in symphony. Now that it's here, goals are being met, Baker is surpassing odds, I'm torn. It's a day of celebrating, but there's a small part of me that already misses the bitty baby whose little body molds so perfectly to mine. Thank you Jesus, for the time to hold my precious, and thank you Jesus, for your perfect plan for his life. May he always walk in You.

Two.

Hi Toofers!



My cheeser is a little beaver. One morning this week, I walked into Baker's room to the sound of singing and chatter. I was so excited that my little woke up on the right side of the bed and was showing all of the signs of his mommy's love for the morning. He was playing so happily in his bed, or so I thought. Apparently he was using his crib as his newest chew toy.

The conversation that later transpired with Baker's teacher involved words like "ingested large amounts of wood' "don't be alarmed" "wood chips" "in" "diaper."

I can't make this stuff up.

Three.

Fall made a very brief appearance over the weekend. It lasted long enough to tease me with the need for oversized college sweatshirts and throws while snuggled on the porch in the early morning sun with my favorites.

Fall, I love you. In the name of heated seats, teeming bowls of chili, lattes, leaves falling, football Saturdays, come back soon, please. 

Four.

My sweet Baker, you are my brightest sunshine. You make me happy when the skies are gray. You make my heart smile deep down to its very depths. You breathe life. You speak joy. You smile and my day is made instantly better. You cry, you cough, you stand, you sing, you fuss, you eat, you dream, you inspire. And I am affirmed in my role as your mommy. The Lord daily reminds me of His faithfulness through your sweet spirit.



Sometimes I let the days pass too quickly. I rush this way and that. I get impatient. I get overwhelmed. I pack macaroni and cheese or Spaghettio-s instead of vegetables or cutely cut sandwiches that correlate with your letter for the week. I let weekdays pass in hopes that the weekend will arrive sooner. I multitask. I neglect to be fully present all the time.

Thank you for loving me anyway. Despite my many faults. Thank you for giving me grace every single day.

From the tips of your tiny toes to the top of your head, and all of my favorite spots in between, I love you.

Five.

Baker has cut out his morning nap at Rise. As a result, he craves a power nap late in the afternoon just to make it through supper.

I gratefully drop everything. Let laundry pile where it may. Let the dishes multiply. And spend a few minutes of a very busy day rocking this little, committing his life and my worries to the Lord, and stare in amazement that he's really mine.

Five on Friday

I am excited to link up with the lovely ladies of Five on Friday today.
You should read through the posts - they are fabulous-o!

I began the blogging journey in July 2012, shortly after Baker was born.

Cliche right?

A mom blogging about her journey in raising a baby with Down Syndrome.

Some might think.

 

I didn't feel like it was a cliche. 

Or something I had to do.

Rather, I felt like God had given me a platform.

To share our story.

Our God given blessing with others.

To live this life, this journey for His glory.

Maybe, through writing, He would be magnified.

Someone would be encouraged.

A mother facing a Down Syndrome diagnosis would choose life for her child.

So here I am.

Doing my thing.

Being a believer, a wife and a mommy.

 

I am reflecting on our journey by reading previous posts from this past year.

Reading the highs and lows.

The struggles and the joys.

The celebrations and setbacks.

The laughter and tears.

The faith and hope.

It has been a good year.

No, it hasn't.

It has been a great year.

 

As hard as it was, I have chosen my five favorite entries over the past four hundredish days.

 

One.

 

I think it's only appropriate to start with Baker's Birth Story.

 

With his birth, my dreams of becoming a mommy came true. With him in my arms, breathing his scent, kissing his face, feeling his warmth, my heart grew. God's faithfulness was affirmed.

 

I was a mommy. I had a baby. My little Baker Bell.

Little did I know, but from this day forward, I would be forever changed.

 

I couldn't help but cry as I reread this. It brought back the raw emotions of his diagnosis. The fears. The tears. The worry. But it also brought back the joy of seeing his strength and determination. And the pride in walking in the NICU, seeing my name on him, and his all over me.

 

On the 11th day of May, I first held my dream come true.

 

 

 

Two.

 

The second is Perfect Day. It shows pictures of our first Buddy Walk supporting National Down Syndrome Society and Parent Advocates of Down Syndrome. It was absolutely a perfect day. One in which we felt so much love and support in this journey.

 

 

 

 

We set a modest goal - to raise eight hundred dollars and to take a team of 50 walkers to support our family. Our precious family, friends, and complete strangers sent donations, ordered t-shirts, and drove church vans to surround our family at this wonderful event. We far surpassed our goal, taking over 80 walkers to win the Spirit Award and raising over $3000!

 

Be on the lookout for information for this year's Buddy Walk. I hope you'll make plans to join us and support our team!

 

Go Team Baker!

 

Other Buddy Walk posts: Buddy Walk, Team Baker, Favorite Things Friday

 

Three.

 

A Day in the Life. I started doing Day in the Life posts occasionally just to document ordinary days that, to me, were extraordinary because they were ours. And I wanted to remember them forever.

 

 

This is one of my favorite Day in the Life posts. I think partly because it's a normal day for us - work, school, therapy, fun, love - memory making at it's finest.

 

Four

 

In All Things.

 

No summary needed. Just read it.

 

Five.

 

For the fifth, here are some others that share landmarks on our trip. It's been a good trip. There's no map. We don't know the final destination for Baker. But we are trusting God with our path. Trusting that He will lead us and guide us. Road trips are the most fun - especially ones with unexpected twists and turns.

 

Waves - Such raw emotion.

 

Baby Giggles - Baker has always had such a great laugh. And a little "Baby Got Back."

 

Toes in the Sand - Our first beach trip featuring a mighty precious beach bum.

 

Peace, Love, and Green Beans - The faces. They're priceless.

 

A Word that should be a Word no More - Stop using the R word. For Baker. For me. I implore you.

 

As Long As - Never again, will I say, "It doesn't matter, as long as they're healthy." Because, I'll love them anyway.

 

His Letter - in response to an ESPN video featuring Heath and Jennifer White, and their precious little girl, Paisley.

 

Jesus Calling - Worry, Worry, Worry - I am always worrying about this or that with Baker. And it is exhausting.

 

First Day Jitters - New school, new teachers, new beginnings.

 

World Down Syndrome Day - I celebrate you.

 

Rainbows, Restoration, and Answered Prayers - A break from social media is good for the soul.

 

Rise-ing to the Occasion - Moving for Baker - because that's what parents do. They love big, they make decisions with their children in mind. They pray for, they hope for, the wish for - they do.

 

A Final Walk - For teachers here, there and everywhere.

 



I'd love to hear which ones you have enjoyed.

Ones that made you laugh?

Ones that provided inspiration? 

Ones that showcased pictures of a handsome Baker Bell?

Is it one of these five?

Or another?

 

I have loved sharing this journey with you!

Five on Friday

 

I am joining the Five on Friday party!

 I have loved reading these posts that range from pictures of the week, to favorite recipes, to powerful blogs or articles.

Maybe next time, there will be a central thought or idea to my post, but this totally random approach is what I'm loving today!
 

It is Friday, after all!

One. an article.

"God Only Gives Special Needs Children to Special People."

If had a dollar for everytime someone told me that, well, I could pay Bill Gates' mortgage this month. Wait, I doubt Bill Gates even has a mortgage. But, you know what I mean.

It doesn't bother me when people say it, in fact quite the opposite is true. I do feel like I was chosen specially. But, I was also chosen specially to be Brian's bride. I was chosen to be a teacher and a friend and a daughter and a sister. God chose this life especially for me. And that is what makes me special - that I was chosen to walk this path, lead this life, be touched by so many, and have the opportunity to glorify God with each beautiful step.

I loved this post about how God is magnified through the blessing of a child with a disability. With each word, I nodded. Once so emphatically, I banged my head on the headboard and am still seeing stars. Oh, how I love the blogging community to connect with and be ministered to by others.

Two. two special visits.

Summertime means time to catch up with family and friends that sometimes get pushed aside in the hustle and bustle of everyday.

We had two this week. The first was with my Nana. I love Baker getting to meet the people I love the most. She is so special to my family. She is reason my mom decided her grandmother name would also be Nana.

Next, we got to visit the Smalley family. This family is about as close to my own without sharing my last name. I started babysitting for them in January 2004. Two of their five children, Jack and Sarah Kate, were in our wedding and some of my favorite memories involve these precious kiddos, and their parents, too.

Circa 2005. That grin!

 

Somehow, I blinked, and now she's old enough to play with my baby.

 

 

Such a fun day!

 

Three. lovely reads.

 

I did a favorite books post a while back. Baker is finally getting to the age where he picks his favorite books. Right now it's, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. We read it multiple times each day and he even predicts the next part and has his hands ready for the motions the uber-cheesy elementary teacher in me assigned to each page. I love this! 

 

I find that throughout the day, and night, too, the words from the books we've read throughout the day creep up on me. I find myself sing-songing catchy choruses as I clean out the dishwasher, and reciting rhymes as I wait to check out in long grocery store lines.

 

Last night, as I checked on Baker one last time before I went to sleep. These words danced in my mind.

  

"But at night time, when he was asleep,

the mother quietly opened the door to his room,

crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed.

If he was really asleep,

she picked up that [fourteen month old]

and rocked him back and forth and back and forth.

And as she rocked him, she sang,

I love you forever,

I like you for always,

as long as I'm living,

my baby you'll be.

 

I will surely love you forever, my precious angel.

 

Four. good stuff.

 

 Jesus Calling is such a wonderful devotional. It's amazing how the Lord speaks just the right words at just the right time my heart needs to hear them.

 

Some of my favorites from this week:

 

"Come to me continually,

I am meant to be the Center of your consciousness,

the Anchor of your soul."

 

"Worship me in the beauty of holiness."



 

"Whenever you start to feel fearful or anxious,

repeat this unconditional promise:

Nothing can separate you me from Your Love, Jesus."

 

And my two favorites.

 

"Be assured that I never abandon any of My children, not even temporarily."

 

"I have engraved you on the palms of My hands."



 

Five. please don't go, summer girl.

 

As much as I am loving Summer, I am getting excited about Fall!

 

tailgaiting and Alabama football (road to 16, anyone?),

 consignment sales and fun Fall appliques,

chili and yummy warm soups,

RISE and new back to school adventures for Baker and me,

cooler weather and warm scarves,

leaves crunching and heat blowing and fire crackling.

 

It makes me want to grab a quilt, throw it over my two favorite boys, and watch the stars dance in the cool night sky.

Except for, we'd likely die of humidity and heat exhaustion.

Oh, at least it's fun to dream!

 

And I'd much rather savor these last few days of Summer...

Please stick around forever.

 

 

 

Happy Friday, friends!

Favorite Things Friday

I started this post differently.

Telling you a woe is me story.

About this stressor and that heartache.

But then, I couldn't.
I am always blessed, sometimes stressed, but always blessed.

And thankful for this day, for this time, while Baker is napping on my chest to share some of my very favorite things about this very favorite season in his life, in our lives.

 

I love, love, love that my shoulder is never, ever clean.

Because sometimes, right that minute, whether his mouth is covered with yogurt, or he is mid-bite eating spaghetti, Baker needs to give me a hug, or maybe just use me as a napkin.

And when he does, he lays he head on my shoulder.

First one cheek, then the other. 

He leans in, and makes the sweetest little breathy moan.

Then looks back at me, gives a proud smile, and back to eating he goes.

I recognize he won't do this forever, so, for now, I cherish the food-stained shoulders courtesy of my little love.

 

I love, love, love his toofie smile. Baker has four teeth, and he loves showing them. If you have met Baker, you know he doesn't just smile with his mouth, he smiles with his whole face. His whole body. This I love.

 

It reminds me of this Friends video.

 

 

Except for with Baker, you really can see him smiling!

 

We are going through a teething phase again. And in all seriousness, he has been cutting these same teeth for over three weeks. His pediatrician said that teeth can rise to the surface of the gum and recede three times before finally breaking through. Well doggone-it, this is time number three and I am ready for those bad boys to show themselves!

No wonder moms keep baby's teeth forever and ever after they lose them.

We fight through getting them days and nights so much so, that we won't let them go!

If your mom is like mine, they are all resting quietly, nestled closely in a Ziploc bag in the top drawer, bumping into the pearl necklace that has been begging to be fixed since the first tooth was added.

I'd love to see the jeweler's face if she took the teeth instead.

 

I love, love, love seeing our family love him.

Since we have sold our house, we have been living between parents as we transitioned to Tuscaloosa. No wonder Brian and I turned out so well - our parents are wonderful with children!

Squishy, yummy, goodness.

 

 

We had a low key celebration of the Fourth yesterday.

It was nice.

Throughout the day, I was reminded of the sacrifices that allowed me to be home with my family all day.

As I rocked Baker last night and pleaded with God to send the rain to silence those obnoxiously loud fireworks threatening to wake my baby, I prayed for our nation.

I prayed for our leaders, the decision makers.

I prayed for God to be near to them, to be near to us.

 

Happy Fourth of July.

Happy Friday.

Happy Summer.

Happy Ribs and Watermelon.

Happy Everything.

Just Happy.

Favorite Things Friday

Baker's language.
His native tongue.
Words he speaks that only Brian and I understand.
It's our secret code.
I'll translate upon request.
Bakerese 

Listen and be amazed.
I cannot get YouTube to connect to my blogger account, but you can access the YouTube video here.

  

And he's learned a new trick.

Clearly he's quite pleased with himself.

I'm pretty peachy too!
Watch my boy go, and go, and go here!
But, be ready to clap.
He'll be waiting for you to join him!

I am so proud of all he is doing and all he is accomplishing.
I shared a picture on Instagram this week of my boy and I sharing an ice cream cup at Chick-fil-A.
A midweek date that was even sweeter than the yummy deliciousness we were eating.

And the caption captured the words that have been etched on my heart all week.

He is daily growing. 

He is daily changing.

He is daily loving.

He is daily charming.

He is daily adding new words, and sounds - both good and bad.

That grunt, ooohhh weee! 

Hello, personality!

He is daily becoming a toddler with very defined toddler tendencies.

He is daily making a mother totally reliant on God for strength and sanity.

He is daily making me a mother that praises the Lord for this most incredible blessing.

And I love every single minute.

Every single stage I beg, plead with God to freeze that very second.

Because I am convinced that life could not possibly get any better than this right here.

But, it never happens.

The clock continues to tick.

The days continue to pass.

And somehow, someway, each day is better than the one before.

Each stage, and each age is more precious than the one before.

A child is an incredible gift.

As fleeting as each moment, I pray I never take one for granted.

I pray that God give me the strength, and the knowledge, in this moment, to be the mother Baker needs.

A child is a truly incredible gift.

This child.

My child.

He's a truly incredible gift.

Bakerese and new tricks and ice cream dates!

Sweet, sweet stuff!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Favorite Things Friday

He sings.

I melt.

 

 

He has also started feigning coughing for attention, since he clearly doesn't get enough.

I may or may not have been responsible for this.

Happy Friday, friends!

Blessings to you and yours on this beautiful Easter weekend.

Favorite Things Friday (on a late Saturday)

Sheesh.

I cannot even get it together to do a Favorite Things Friday post on time.

Or maybe this was totally planned and my Favorite Things Friday is making its grand entrance, fashionably late, but oh so worth it.

We'll see.

I feel like this happened this week.

No, not the Pepsi Next.

(I'm a Sprite Zero and Diet Dr. Pepper kinda gal!)

Or the parents totes oblivious to their little stud rocking out in the background.

How cute is he?

Almost, but not nearly as cute as that Baker Bell kid.

I digress.

The baby. Doing it all. Moving and grooving.

That's been Baker this week.

In the past seven days, he's begun pulling up, clapping, waving, and becoming increasingly more mobile.

It all started in the kitchen. With the sink. And it was the doing of Baker Bell.

Guilty as charged.

He is now pulling up on the faucet, on the bouncer, on his mommy and his daddy.

He doesn't stay up very long unless our hands are on him for balance, but my kiddo cannot get enough of standing.

We are using the sign for "sit down" much more frequently.

And Baby Boy no likey.

My most favorite moment, well one of them, of the week happened on Wednesday.

(A close second happened on Thursday)

When I walked into his classroom, his back was to the door so he didn't see me immediately. I walked around him and he spotted my leopard print flats, and his eyes followed all the way up my body until they reached my face. When they did, the biggest grin overtook his. He said "Mama, Mama" and started clapping and cheering. Y'all I almost walked out just so he would do it again!

It's the sweetest thing!

It's neither here nor there that he also claps for sweet peas, Simba, and stackable cups.

Also at school, they have been working with him on waving. 

And now, he just does it.

Like it's nothing. Like he's been doing it all along. 

We wave goodbye to everyone.

He just parades that chunky little hand around the air and in the cutest sing-song voice, "Bye, Bye, Bye, Bye, Bye." 

Five times. Not four. Not six. Five.

Have I mentioned I love his school?

They are every bit of the word Fab-u-lous!

When I say mobile, I don't want you to imagine a baby inching across the floor going this a-way and that a-way.

I want you to imagine that the last slice of a large piece of freshly baked caramel cake is sitting on the counter, and you and your sister eye it simultaneously.

There's no word uttered, but there may as well be a starter at a race calling, "on your mark, get set, go," and sounding the gun.

For you and your sister rear back and race with all your might to that lonesome piece of delectable goodness.

That's Baker.

No, there's no running.

And right now, there's not a whole lot of crawling, except for a mighty cute little backwards motion.

But there is rolling and a movement that looks very much like a very bad breakdance with pivoting and spinning and neck craning and body bending.

But golly gee, it gets that boy where he wants to go.

And you had better not turn around or he would be gone!

Hypothetically speaking only, how would I one keep Baker a baby from wriggling under the couch?

It's been a good week.

A good, good week.

I want to leave you with a thought.

I went to a training Friday, last minute professional development that was wildly inconvenient, but surprisingly relevant and beneficial.

The presenter encouraged us to dream big and to counter naysayers (even when it's ourselves) with a response akin to one Tiger Woods used in an interview with Good Morning America.

When the interviewer asked him why he practiced 10 hours a day, after he had won everything in golf, his response, "I want to shoot a perfect game. Eighteen holes in one."

The interviewer said, "that's impossible."

He countered, "It may or may not be possible, but trying to reach the goal will make me a better golfer."

This struck a chord with me.

It applies to me.

It applies to my husband.

It applies to Baker.

No he may not have crawled at nine months, he may not walk at twelve months, or do this or that on a given timeline, but practicing and trying will make him a stronger little boy with more advantages and opportunities than he would have if we weren't working diligently to achieve these goals.

This may have struck a chord with you also.

What is an impossibility that you could now approach with this mentality?

It may or may not be possible, but practicing/working towards/setting goals/

 will make me a better ___________________.

In this precious life, I have learned nothing is impossible.

Jesus looked at them and said,

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

With my Jesus, all things are possible.

Even a little boy with Down Syndrome pulling up, and talking,

and rolling about, and clapping, and stealing this mama's heart.

With my Jesus, all things are possible.

Favorite Things Friday

I had a brief moment today where I, in the words of a dear friend, freaked my freaked.

I went from total panic to sheer exhilaration.

It is not atypical for Baker's high chair to look like this.

We combine eating with occupational therapy with entertaining the babe so I can have a fighting chance of getting supper on the table before breakfast is served. 

Today, I was feeding Baker a cup of yogurt, and we were practicing raking and picking up items. 

Namely, the dice, mesh thingy resembling a pacifier (that I would buy over and over and over again), 

colored squishy balls, and stacking cups. 

I turned to the counter to scoop another scrumptious bite of yogurt, and I turn back to see six black uniformly stacked dots on a die staring back at me from INSIDE BAKER'S MOUTH! 

Yes, a die. 

Yes, in his mouth.

First thought - well, no thought, just mommy mode full speed ahead. 

I jerked that thing out of his mouth so fast you could see cartoon worthy dust in my tracks. 

And then mommy mode in another form kicked in. 

I slowed down long enough to realize my Baker picked up that cube, 

that little bitty thing, and put it right into his mouth.

Eeekkk! 

Y'all, this is what we've been working on. 

But Baker has never carried anything that small to his mouth. 

Bibs, yes.

Cloth diapers, yes.

Chunky Baker Boy thumbs, yes.

Pacifiers, no.

Puffs and yogurt bites, no.

Not even Sophie the Giraffe.

The fact that he first picked this up off his tray, 

then carried it without dropping or throwing it all the way to his face, 

then placed it in his mouth. 

I'll say it again, 

Eeekkk!

We take for granted the motor skills this requires.

All of the different muscles that work in unison to create this action. 

After "freaking my freak," I spun my boy around the kitchen, 

shook my groove thang, 

let out some serious "woo-hoos," and "get you some, Baker Bell"s! 

Baker was quite confused, but played along seeming to enjoy his mama's craziness.

Cue "Hallelujah Chorus."

Celebrations, y'all.

We do it lots 'round here.

This. 

This. 

On this Friday, this is my favorite thing.

Celebrating milestones.

Smiling.

Rejoicing.

Singing and dancing.

And "get you some Baker Bell"-ing.

And shaking my groove thang.

And Baker smiling knowing he has done something so big that made his mama so 

happy she acted quite like a complete nut.

Celebrations.

This. 

Happy Friday, friends.

Favorite Things Friday

It's been a while since I have posted a Favorite Things Friday,
so forgive me if I'm a little rusty.
 

What a week!

It was one of those weeks where you try to cram everything possible into seven short days, only to be forced to slam on the brakes and slow way down!

 

My mom came last Friday afternoon to babysit our little one while Brian and I attended our Sunday School Christmas party.
It was a shindig that will not soon be forgotten.

 

We played Dirty Santa and may or may not have brought this little critter as our gift.

Highlight of the party.

 

Tacky sweaters, ear candling, and rodents oh my!

 

We spent Saturday shopping, eating, and doing some pre-Christmas baking with Nana.

I love this season.

 

 

I cannot believe how big he is getting.

Seven whole months.

Make that seven months and nine days.

 

This happened Saturday afternoon.

 

 

I earned big mommy points for dressing Bake in his cutest deer applique tee and letting him pose with his camo clad daddy and his trophy buck.

Count 'em. Yup, that's 10.

1-0 glorious points for my biggest love. 

 

By late Saturday night, Baker was sick as a pitiful puppy dog!

He was coughing and wheezing so badly, he was throwing up EVERYWHERE.

Ickers.

Bronchitis and upper respiratory again, coupled with pink eye.

No fun.

 

Cutest little at the doctor.

He loved the paper on the bed.

I'm convinced he'll be the child that oohhs and aahhs over the wrapping paper and boxes, and could care less about the toys.

 

 

I got to stay home with my sick baby love on Monday and Tuesday.

I'm convinced there is nothing better than rocking my boy in front of our Christmas tree.

The best.

 

He did a lot of sleeping, a lot of cuddling, and unfortunately, a lot of fussing.

  

Curled up just like this is how we spent most of our week.

I was in hog heaven snuggled up with this positively delectable little one.

 

You've got to watch his newest trick.

Scooting all over the place!

Mommy loves!

 

 

Wishing you a Happy Friday, friends!

 

Also wishing you in the coming week

safe travels with your family,

memories made,

delicious goodies devoured,

carols sung,

Christ honored.

 

Blessings all!

Favorite Things Friday

 

Favorite Thing Number One

 

This kid.

His daddy dressed him for school.

Can you tell?

Carhartts and a Bama beanie.

Yep.

Total hubs move.
Favorite thing about my Friday and most everyday.

 

 

 

Favorite Thing Number Two

 

Little Bit and I will be out of school all next week.

I can hardly contain my excitement.

One entire week at home with my little!

Did I mention I am excited about this?

 

Favorite Thing Number Three

 

They call my boy the "Preacher Man" at school.

All day long, the swing as his stage, he preaches his sermons.

To his friends. To his teachers. To anyone who will listen.

The hand gets going,

The words start flowing,

And like any Baptist preacher, not eyes on the clock, growling stomachs, nor fidgeting from the audience will deter him from speaking what's on his mind.

 

I love it.

They said he might never talk.

And my boy doesn't stop.

 

Favorite Thing Number Four

 

This season of giving thanks.

I plan to do a post closer to Thanksgiving,

but I am bursting with gratitude right this very minute.

 

I opted not to do the thankful posts on Facebook,

instead committing daily to telling those I love the most how thankful I am for them.

 

Today, I am thankful

that God is reigning on His throne,

that I am saved by grace,

that His Word breathes life,

that I have a husband, my best friend, who makes me a better person -

and he's smokin' hott too, y'all,

that my Baker has made my dream of becoming a mommy come true,

that my family, my oh so precious family, loves me in spite of my daily failures,

that my friends use group texts to make us feel like we all live in the same city instead of being scattered across three states,

that I have a job where I get to live out my passion of educating children

and their teachers,

that I have clothes to fold, a bed to make, and dishes to unload,

that I have a warm home filled with precious memories.

 

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."

Psalms 107:1

 

Happy Friday, folks!

May this day be filled with all of your favorite things.

Favorite Things Friday

Oh, sweet Baker,

how we love you.

More today than yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that.

You are the most precious gift.

Your daddy and I are learning to love in a way we never knew.

It's amazing how much more we recognize the love God has for His children now that we have you.

With each day, you teach patience, strength, and devotion.

You provide us with unspeakable joy.

More than words, to the moon and back, with all the love in our hearts,

oh sweet Baker,

how we love you.

 

We love the dimple in your knees.

Truly.

Honestly.

This little dimple slays me.

I love to kiss and it hear you giggle in response.

Who knew fat could be cute.

But, little one, you have made it the cutest little leg blub I ever did see.

 

We love celebrating firsts with you.

This week, we celebrated your first Halloween.

You were the most precious little giraffe.

We enjoyed dressing you up and parading you around to your adoring fans.

 

 

Baker Man, you are loved by so many.

One day, you will see just how many lives you have touched, and just how richly blessed our family is to have the love, support, and prayers of such wonderful ones.

 

This week, you have started reaching for us.

Reaching. For your mommy.

I can't take it!

And touching my face.

You love to touch my lips, and rub my cheeks, and play with my hair.

And earrings, you love your mommy's earrings.

You can't quite figure out your daddy's beard.

You get the funniest face when you rub it.

I hope I always remember these priceless moments.

The way you anticipate my kiss and inch your cheek closer and closer still to my lips,

the way you arch your head back when you hear your daddy's voice behind you,

the way your head tilts and your mouth opens slightly when you are exploring something new,

the way you fold into my arms when you are ready for your nap,

the way you smell - oh, I could bottle it,

the way you turn ever so slightly in your slumber and place your hands together angelically underneath your sleeping face,

the way you mimic every sound I make,

the way you sing with me all the way to school,

the way you hold my hands to pray before we eat.

 

 

I am taking it all in.

This mommy thing is good stuff.

Good, good stuff.

 

More than words, to the moon and back, with all the love in our hearts,

oh sweet Baker,

how we love you.