That screaming mouth-- still how he looks today when he cries![/caption]
The first time I held him... I never expected it to be this way, and I only pray it is that way when my little girl is placed in my arms. Immediately, I felt complete. I felt like what I was designed for.. was here. All the sadness and feeling of not being able to do what I always dreamed of doing: Natural Birth.... it was GONE! I struggled still as the months went on not understanding it, but it honestly did not matter. He was my boy... and who cares how he came to me. He had so much of his Daddy in him... I loved it. Every cry, move, sound.. I was there. I wanted nothing more than to be the best mom ever. I can't believe that was almost three years ago
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The first time I held my baby boy.. That first year presented many "first times" for us... feeding him new food, rolling over, sitting up, going back to work, babysitter, smiles, kisses, words, first steps, daddy deploying, etc. That first year brought many struggles in my marriage as well. I know I can't be the only one that experienced that. It was, by far, the hardest time in our marriage. We had been married 7 years by the time he came into our little life... and it was such a change. I'll never forget.. and today I am so thankful that the Lord allowed us to go through these challenges .. because we are stronger now- and I try and relate to girls that are first having babies.. because I GET IT! Because of Daddy's service to our Armed Forces, he missed our little guys first Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Birthday. We waited for Daddy to come home so celebrate his 1st Birthday.. and we did.. with two great sets of friends! I will forever be grateful for the friends that became my family while we were in Japan... because they were there for all of those firsts with us! I am even more grateful for those friends that have continued to be my family... and still know my boy like he is their own, besides the fact that they don't see him!
1st Birthday "Party"
Shortly after our boy turned one, we took a trip of a lifetime with our best friends to Thailand... I will forever cherish that trip. I only wish he would remember it as he gets bigger. Shortly after we made our move back to America--- to California. It was so exciting that our little boy was going to be a Cali Dude! :) {Though I had zero desire to go there..gotta make the best of it}... Our family were able to see him for the 2nd or 3rd time since he had been born! We enjoyed life over the next year- but it went SO fast. Thankful that daddy didn't deploy during our little one's 2nd year! We made great friends in Cali and joined a wonderful church. We bought our first, beautiful, home! We loved it. Life was hard adjusting for me back to America.. but by the time Noah was two, I felt connected with a few friends!
He's 2!!!
I couldn't believe my boy was two years old. I know all moms feel this way, right? Time had flown. In his short two years he had been around the world and back. Born in Japan, traveling to Texas at 3 months old and again at 9 months old, going back to Japan, traveling to Thailand through Korea at 13 months old, then at 15 months old traveling to Texas then California.. and also making another trip to Texas during that time. When March of 2012 arrived and I realized my boy was almost 2 and I had still NOT gained control of my body or life since he had been born- I had had ENOUGH! It was time to do something about it. It was during this time that my boy and I started running together... and for the next six months we would run multiple races together. He loved it, I loved it, we totally bonded over our running adventures. He got entered into his first race, life was good. When he was 2.5 years old we found out we were expecting another baby... this changed a lot in my brain. I honestly wasn't sure how I felt about it... and honestly I still worry about my boy having to share me.. not because of him, but because of me! I am pretty attached to him.. ask anyone. But I also can't wait to meet his little sister and see him in action as a big brother.
Just my main man... working hard on his woodwork!
There are so many memories in the last three years... and I am so thankful to have them! He has changed me more than anyone will ever know- I know you mommies have to feel the same!! I also know that during that 1st year of life how we document things by pictures so much!! I took pictures ALL the time.. actually I still do. I have been labeled by many as the Picture W*ore! Really?!?! I don't use that kind of language.. but I don't know how else to describe it! :)
However, when I had him and throughout his first year- I really wanted to be one of those parents that took that one single picture each month and watched the growth. I have seen some pretty amazing things... from teddy bears, frames, shirts, to these stickers I am about to share with you. I want to do it for our little girl- but then I feel guilty I didn't do it for our little boy! :) But man, I am sure I have more pictures of him than I will EVER have for our little girl! 
Courtesy of Lucy Darling Shop
As we watch our babies grow and love every minute of it, why not have something cute to document it, right? I am so excited to share with you mommies {and daddies} out there about our giveaway today. Haily from Lucy Darling Shop has graciously offered to give one of you a very awesome GIFT! She describes it perfectly on her shop:
"Cute colorful baby monthly onesie stickers. Photograph monthly milestones with month by month stickers. Great baby shower gifts and photo prop. Baby girl month onesie stickers and baby boy monthly onesie stickers. Baby Month stickers and more! Thanks for shopping with us! At Lucy Darling Shop, we love helping you make darling memories!"
Courtesy of Lucy Darling Shop
Courtesy of Lucy Darling Shop
I can't lie.. I am a little jealous of those of you who can enter into this Giveaway! :) But what fun. She is going to give the winner the choice of a boy or girl set! So if you are expecting, enter.. if you know someone who is expecting, enter! I know like-- NO LIE-- 15 other girls that are pregnant right now! It is crazy. While you are at it, go check out her Etsy Shop too. Her prices are very reasonable in case you don't win the Giveaway! In order to enter this Giveaway you will have to follow her on Facebook and she would love for you to pin some of her products on Pinterest. So, let's get on with the Giveaway.
