Moments: 21 Months

Little Man,

Today you are officially 21 months.

Another month added to the best years of my life. 

At 21 months, I think the hardest thing for me to accept is that
although you are still very much my little baby-
you are slowly starting to change and grow into my little boy. 

Your little personality is SO big
that sometimes I can't even believe it. 
My whole world continues to light up every time you flash that BIG smile of yours
and the amount of "just because" hugs and kisses I get, grows by the day.
You are so silly, and now you will do things just to make us laugh.
Simply put- you are the sweetest most handsome boy I've ever laid my eyes on.

At 21 months
you want mommy and daddy to go everywhere with you. 
You take our hand in yours, 
and will drag us around the house to wherever it is you want to be.
Then, no questions, we must sit and play! 

You absolutely love "helping" us cook,
and in the mornings when we wake up before Daddy leaves for work-
helping Daddy make his lunch is one of your favorite things to do.

This past month, you've grown so attached to Daddy, 
and you ask for him all the time when he is gone at work. 
It breaks my heart that you don't fully understand why Daddy leaves everyday,
and that you don't get to spend more time with him.

You love forts, playing outside, and blowing bubbles.

You love going to the library, helping mommy water the plants outside,
and you love looking for snacks in the pantry. :) 

You love to color- however it's more like you love watching us color for you.

You love anything cars, trains, trucks, and planes.
And if the TV is on, most likely we have Thomas the Train or "choo-choos" on.

You love your babies (stuffed animals)
and love wrapping them up, rocking them, "feeding them" and 
and taking them for a walk in the stroller aka shopping cart. 

Your favorite meals consist of macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese,

and spaghettios.

A well balanced diet for sure. :)

You still love helping with the dishwasher, and always tell me when things are "dirty."

You also love telling Mommy and Daddy when things are "hot" and "cold."

You love reading, "helping" mommy on the laptop, 

and taking pictures with Mommy's camera. 

You love looking at yourself in the mirror, and making silly faces.

(You are your father's son, for sure!)

We are not pushing the potty training issue, 

but we do have an adorable Mickey potty in your bathroom that you

use at least once a day. 

My attempt is to slowly warm you up to the idea,

and then like magic one day- you will just want to use it all the time.

:) 

You can say about half the letters of the alphabet, 

and your vocabulary is growing by the day.

You love playing in your playroom,

and building "block roads" for your cars to drive on. 

Obviously I'd be writing for days if I put on here each and every little thing that makes my heart soar with you at this age.

And as expected, along with all the great moments, come more and more challenges.

The past couple months you have really been learning how to test my patience, 

but at the same time teach me patience.

(Like fighting me on diaper changes, and learning the art of stalling at bedtime!)

And because you are at an age where we don't always understand each other

 feelings of frustration creep up on the both of us quickly.

But I truly try to remember to take a deep breath, and take it all in.

Yes, even those not so great moments.

I try to remember

 that as much as I don't understand what it is you are wanting or needing sometimes, 

I know there are also many times you are not understanding 

what I am trying to communicate to you as well. 

I know know day, I will look back, and will want to give anything to be here

in this moment with you all over again. The good and the bad. 

So here we are just three more months until you are 

officially two years old.

You fill my days with more fun, 

and my heart with more love than I ever thought was possible.

As sad as I am to see this time passing-
I look at whats ahead, and can't wait for another holiday filled season with you,
with so many new moments to love and share with you
and so many new memories that we will create together.

Bubba, always keep that bright smile shining.
I love you with all my heart, forever and ever,
Mommy

Simple Things Sunday #017 | Watercolor

This week, 

my little man painted his very first watercolor. 

There is something so warming to the heart, 

when you watch your little one do something for the first time.

Jackson absolutely loved his watercolor paints.

He was beyond intrigued with them,

and was so intense when it came to his painting.

I was also very impressed that he held off for about 10 minutes before 

he started painting his hands and belly.

I'm pretty sure he has a natural talent, 

or maybe I'm just one super proud mommy,

but either way I think it's beautiful, and I can't wait to frame it. 

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I'd love if you'd join along with Simple Things Sunday

hosted by Rebecca of Simple As That.

"Simple things Sunday is about slowing down and capturing life’s everyday details. 

Taking joy in the simple things is the focus and Sunday is the day we gather together to reflect on our experiences from the week and share our photos with each other."

 #SimpleThingsSunday

Head on over to the Simple As That blog and click for details HERE! :) 

Moments

Okay- you are all going to have to bare with me the next few months. 

In just five days, my little man will be turning 21 months. 

3 months until his second birthday. 

As in- two years old.

How. Did. That. Happen. 

As the days pass, and as he keeps getting bigger and bigger

(no matter how hard I pray he doesn't)

I can't help but think back to those days where he was just a dream.

Where I just imagined how perfect he was going to be.

I think back to those first days, weeks, where the only thing I was sure of

was just how much I was head over heels in love with this little baby

that was now my absolute world.

So before I started Simply Sweet Moments, I had a private family blog. 

I was reading through it tonight, because I felt like getting really emotional 

and shedding a few tears over how big Jackson is getting

instead of "sleeping when the baby sleeps." :)

Okay, not really. But I'm not sure what I expected to happen 

by taking a trip down memory lane. 

Anyways, I wrote and still write letters to Jackson.

My hopes are to take in all these little moments that will some day

make up the biggest moments of my life.

So here was my first post, about Jackson's first month.

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Dear Jackson,

I can’t believe you are already one month old.

The past four weeks my mind has been flooded with the most precious moments. 
Moments that I never want to forget. 
Moments that will forever mean the world to me.

Since I became pregnant, I have had a fear inside of me. 
A fear that one day these little moments will fade, 
and I will slowly start to forget. 
Forget the little things that put the biggest smile on my face, 
and that brought a tear to my eye. 
The little things that fill my heart with so much love and happiness. 
From the feeling of your little kicks when you were in my belly.
to the cries I couldn't hold in when seeing you for the first time. 
Your adorable facial expressions, the way your little cries sound. 
and the way my world stops when I'm holding you close.

Little everyday things.

I also fear that I will try so hard to preserve moments with you, 
that I won’t enjoy them to the fullest while they are happening. 
I’ve taken a million pictures, and write down as many thoughts as I can, 
but I think sometimes I have to just let those fears go, and enjoy.

I just want to be able to look back and remember this time in our lives. 
The little details that may fade in time. 
Writing them down helps me know that they are there. 
They are in a place that I can come back to, to remember.
They also lessen the anxiety I get fearing that one day they will be lost.

I want Jackson to be able to look back one day, 
and know just how much we loved him. 
I want him to know that I tried my hardest each and everyday 
to be the best mommy in the world to him. 
I want him to see all the experiences we gave him, 
and all the little things he did that made our hearts melt.

I’ve decided that each month, I will post about “moments” I don’t want to forget, 
along with some of my favorite pictures. So here we go!

Moments: The First Month

I never EVER want to forget the very moment you came into our lives. 

After a stressful delivery (a "sort of emergency" c-section) hearing your little cries 

for the very first time was seriously the most beautiful sound ever… 

so strong. so perfect. 

Seeing your tiny little face for the first time. 
(and touching your little button nose)

even more perfect and handsome than I could have ever imagined. 

When they brought you over to me, my whole world stopped. 

There you were… I couldn't believe it. Our baby boy. 
My heart was bursting with love for you from that very second. 
A love so strong, I never thought was possible. 
I will never forget how alert you were from the very beginning. 
Eyes so open and bright. 

I never want to forget how tiny you were. 
Tiny eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. Tiny little fingers and toes.
Pure perfection.

I never want to forget our stay in the hospital, 
learning how to care for you, taking it all in, before we were off on our own.
I never want to forget the feeling of bringing you home that first day, 
how nervous I was, praying with all I had that I had it in me to be the best Mommy to you. 

I never want to forget stepping into our home for the very first time with you,
thinking- this is it. 
Absolutely everything I've ever wanted.
Starting our lives as a family of three.

Your first night home, not wanting to sleep in your bassinet,
and I was way too nervous to try putting you to sleep anywhere else! 
I sat awake on the couch all night while you slept in my arms. 
(This would be the morning I found out that the news started at 4:30am, haha.) 

It was such an amazing feeling to me,
knowing you felt so safe and comfortable in my arms.
Knowing that you knew I was your mommy,
and that I would hold you tight and keep you safe while you slept.

I never want to forget how tough things were in that first month. 
So many new fears and challenges, overwhelming feelings I had never, ever felt before. 
So many doubts in my mind as well.

I never want to forget just how amazing your Daddy was from the very beginning. 
How much he loved you from the very first second you were born. 
The way his eyes light up each time he sees you, holds you. 
Being a Daddy comes so natural to him, and especially in those first days… 
my eyes would fill with tears just seeing him with you.

I never want to forget your adorable facial expressions in that first month
(especially in your sleep), 
the little cooing sounds that you would make. Your little “smiles.”

I never want to forget the feeling I got when you looked at me the first time, 
the first time our eyes really connected 
and I felt like you knew that this person you were looking at was your Mommy.
One of the most amazing feelings ever.

I never want to forget the peaceful feeling of rocking you to sleep, 
with your head on my chest, or the feeling of your tiny little fingers gripping mine. 
I never want to forget how silly it was, 
that I got so sad when you grew out of your newborn diapers. 
The very first sign that you were getting bigger, was so bittersweet to me. 

And I never want to forget how proud we were on your one month birthday. 
One month old. 
Your daddy was bursting with excitement, and not only got you a couple 
“one month birthday” gifts, but a cookie cake too!

(Obviously we enjoyed that FOR you!)

I can't believe one month has already passed,

but this has been, by far, the most amazing month of my life.

I will be forever grateful that I was chosen to be your mommy,

and I can't wait for all the moments to come in this journey ahead.

We love you little man. 

Patience

Of all the lessons I hope to teach my little man, 

he is teaching me one of the most valuable lessons of MY lifetime. 

Patience. 

To help you understand, my husband always said, 

"You would never make a good doctor, because you don't have any patients." 

Like patience. Get it?! :) 

I'm not so sure that helps you understand... but it's the best I could do! 

It's not that I was always in a hurry- it's just that if I had something to do, 

that was not fun- I just wanted to get it done. 

I didn't want to take my time doing chores, or running errands.

Before Jackson, I never knew it could take twenty minutes to vacuum our kitchen floor. 

Normally taking me about three minutes. 

(He absolutely loves the vacuum.)

He holds on and doesn't let go until we are done. 

Periodically looking back at me, thinking that it is one of the coolest things he's ever done 

in his short 18 months of life. 

Don't even ask how long it takes him to help me vacuum the living room. :) 

Before Jackson, I never thought I would take my time putting the dishes away. 

Normally I just wanted it done- 

Grabbing as many things as I could to speed up the process. 

Now Jackson hears the dishwasher open, and RUNS over. 

He stands there and hands me one spoon at a time, then one fork at a time, until we are done. Big smiles on his face the whole time. 

Before Jackson, I never knew it would take me two hours to grocery shop, 

or that I would talk to so many random people while grocery shopping. 

Going up and down the aisle, if he isn't trying to help, he's smiling and waving at everyone. 

Literally everyone. 

I can't tell you how many times he will smile at an older couple, and they stop to talk to him.

I used to get to the store, focused on what I needed to get, 

not paying attention to anyone around me, let alone talking to anyone. 

Seriously. someone could have been standing in the same aisle as me, 

trying to hand me $100- and I never would have noticed. 

Not intentionally- I just wanted to get in and out.  

Now I cherish the moments, and all the new people I meet, even for a brief moment. 

Some people have said the nicest things to me about cherishing my time with Jackson

or just about how happy (and cute) he is. 

There is something so heartwarming about someone you don't know, 

taking the time to say some kinds words to you. 

But back to my big helper at the grocery store... 

His favorite is when we pick out apples. 

He can't wait to grab an apple, and put it in the bag for me. 

One by one, focusing on getting it in the bag- taking twice as long. 
And I don't mind at. all. 

I used to rush through things, to get them done before Jackson had a chance 

to come and be my "big helper". 

I knew if I didn't, I would be doing a small minimal task for much, much longer. 

But that was short lived, and I quickly learned to embrace it. 

Jackson will never be this age ever again (nor this eager to help me out!) 

and I want to take in each and every little moment. 

He wants to help. He wants be by me.

And I want him to have the experience, no matter how silly of an experience it may be. 

Because to him-  right now, everything is a fun, new, exciting experience. 

I'm sure as he gets older, my lessons in patience will change-

 from being patient with small things- to being patient with much bigger things. 

But I hope I can always take a step back- and always enjoy the experience of this journey.

Plus, how can I say, 

"Mommy doesn't need your help right now" to this sweet face?!

Simple Things Sunday #009

Yesterday we celebrated my son's 2nd Easter.

What a difference from last year! 

This year he ran to his Easter basket, and started taking things out one by one. 

And although we had to help him on his Easter egg hunt, he eventually found 

all of the eggs that that Easter bunny "hid" in our back yard. 

Our Easter was filled with family, tradition, amazing new memories, and the best food! 

16 Months

I can't believe my little man is 16 months today.

I'd say I wish time would slow down, but we all know that isn't going to happen.

16 months is a crazy age. 

Jackson is getting too big for a lot of the toys and things he was into, 

but he is still too small for almost everything else. 

His attention span for coloring is on the level of baby ADD, 

but we can sit and read books for hours. And hours.

He's also mastering the art of throwing tantrums. 

However, he is the sweetest, most loving little man I have ever known.

This past week he has grown super attached to his baby Jeffrey, 

and we spend a good part of our day wrapping him up like a baby and carrying him around. 

He is becoming more independent little by little,
and now only wants to eat if he's feeding himself with a fork. 

He also likes to brush his teeth, and his hair.
His little legs run everywhere. His little fingers leave prints everywhere.

A clean room is overtaken with toys in seconds as I navigate around
trying not to break an ankle stepping on one.

But his hugs are bigger and stronger every day.
His eyes bigger and brighter, learning more and more.
His smiles can still light up a room, and his giggles... priceless.

Instead of getting so sad about how fast he is growing,
I'm trying to just sit back, enjoy, and take it all in.

He is ONLY 16 months old, he is still my baby.

Simple Things Sunday #008

A day late, because my little man has been sick. 

This week, he grew very attached to his baby giraffe, Jeffrey. 

He loves wrapping him up like a baby, and carrying him around everywhere. 

Jeffrey also likes to read him bedtime stories. 

It makes my heart melt to see him so loving to his best buddy. :) 

Good Morning

Last night was a productive one. 
(In my opinion at least!)

I made dinner, participated in Simple As That's first live facebook chat, as well as made two new birth announcements for Simply Sweet Prints.

Cottage (5x7)

Burlap (5x7)

The weather has been beautiful here in sunny AZ, so we are trying to enjoy it as much as we can before we are locked up in the summer months!

However, I am excited to announce that I will soon be adding banners to the Simply Sweet Shop! Make sure to follow Simply Sweet Moments and like my Facebook page so you don't miss out! 

Welcome, Nursery Wall Art!

I don't know how stay at home moms do it. 

Finding time to work, with my now 15 month old son, is next to impossible! He is a bundle of energy and than some, who doesn't nap, and definitely doesn't like to sleep through the night. 

#mommyproblems :)

So... slowly but surely additions will be made.

I am beyond excited to share my first two wall art printables, that are perfect for your little one's nursery! 

They both come in a variety of colors, so make sure to choose your preference upon checkout! 

To order, simply visit: Simply Sweet Prints

Both wall art prints are sent as an 8x10 printable. 

Lovely Wall Art Printable (8x10)

For some reason this print is showing way darker than it really is.
You can see the actual version in the shop.
Sorry! :)

Adventure Wall Art Printable (8x10)

Two New Additionsl

I know I said I probably wouldn't have any new additions to Simply Sweet Prints for a couple weeks, but sometimes you just need a break from packing, and creating new announcements is a nice way for me to relax and do just that!

So, today I've added a new birth announcement, and a new maternity announcement. 

Birth Announcement- God's Grace (5x7)

This is only the second maternity announcement I've added, but I was melting over this quote.

If I would have seen it before I had my son, I probably would have sent out the announcement below, myself! 

Maternity Announcement- Grand Adventure (6x6)

I've had a lot of new followers the past few days, and I couldn't be more excited! Thanks so much for stopping by! Don't forget to sign up for updates via email (to the right!) so you don't miss out on any new additions! 

And as always, stop by and say Hi on Etsy! 

Simply Sweet Prints