Friday's Letter (on Monday)

It's been a busy past two weeks.  Between school, taking care of sweet babies, and keeping up a house, I have not had the time to sit a write a blog.  Oops!  But without further ado... here is my letter for the past two weeks:

My dear Brett Joseph.  Thank you for your patience and sense of humor even in my emotional moments before, during, and after Aiden turned one.  I am not sure why I was so emotional, but I did not want Aiden to turn one.  Your funny jokes and weird stares kept me going.  Dear Aiden Hugh Barron.  You are now 12 months old.  It really does seem like yesterday that we had you.  You have been every bit of joy that I could ever wish to experience in life.  There is nothing like being your mother.  Dear Hasty family.  You have been such a blessing to our family.  We enjoy having Rownin in our home to spend time with Aiden.  He is the sweetest baby and I am so thankful that God placed your family in our lives.  Dear friends and family.  I do not have the time to mention each one of you, but I am so thankful that we were able to spend Aiden's birthday with all of you.  I would like to mention a few people who made Aiden's party possible.  Gina Reynolds.  You are the best sister a girl could ever ask for, and I am quite sure you are the best aunt ever.  This party would not have been possible without your help (not to mention your mad chocolate stirring skills).  Brooke Johnson.  I am so thankful to have a best friend who is artistically skilled and just so happens to be the BEST graphic designer ever.  Thank you for designing every little detail involved in Aiden's party (even down to food menu's and bottle labels).  You really are the best.  Lim Family.  I have no words for you.  Why are ya'll so good to us.  From the memories you have captured to the Beth hanging up banners last minute at Aiden's party.  It all mean so much and I don't know why I am so blessed to have your family in my life.  (Thanks to ya'll I will have pictures of Aiden's birthday party!!)  To my Gammy and my Aunt Robin.  Thank you for going above and beyond and helping me put this party together.  I am so grateful to have your support.  My dear Maya.  Thank you for lending me your party decor as well as your helpful hand.  And let's not forget those yummy Tropical Smoothie sandwiches!!  You have been the greatest BEST friend a girl could ever have.  Dear Prince Charming Brett.  We are so blessed.  We have so many wonderful friends and family to surround us.  God has been so good to us.  I love you more than you love Christmas lights.

If you really "mustache" I'm one!!

This is the only picture I could get with my man on his birthday:)

Sneek Peak at pictures taken by the wonderful Lim Family!! 

Aiden really enjoyed his cake!!

Happy (Day Before) Birthday, Aiden!

My precious Aiden.  Tomorrow is your birthday.  We have already had your birthday party, and for some reason I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that it has already been a year since you were born.  My heart is completely overwhelmed with emotions. 

This day, one year ago, I went to work for the last time.  Little did I know that it would be my last day because I was determined that I would be a working mother.  We lived in Mobile, AL and I worked at Lotus Boutique.  I loved my job and the people I worked with.  I had no plans of being a stay at home mother.  I worked until five that day and went home as I did everyday the days before.  My father and husband were at the house, and your daddy had the entire house decorated for Christmas and ready for your arrival.  My mother, your Gran, and my sister, your Aunt Gina, came soon after.  Brett left for work, Mama and Gina went to go get something to eat, and Daddy and I went to the hospital to check in sometime around 8:30.  It literally seems like yesterday.  I was so calm.  I brought the entire house with me to the hospital.  I had my laptop, a bag full of thank you cards that I needed to write (and never sent out...FAIL at being a southern lady), and several bags full of baby clothes that I wanted to dress you in.  I didn't sleep much that night.  The anxiety began to set in that you would be here tomorrow.  

I will be very honest with you.  I was nervous to be your mother.  I had no idea what I would do with a baby.  I didn't know anything about babies and I have never felt very motherly.  You came into this world at 1:33, December 6, 2011.  I remember bringing you home, and your father drove SO SLOW.  He was so scared to get on the road with you.  He said we had "precious cargo".  I could have never imagined my life the way it is now that you are here.  I never went back to work.  When you came into my life, I could not imagine not spending every second with you and having someone else watch you grow more than I.  I miss working, but I do not regret making the decision to stay home with you.  I am very grateful to God and your father for giving me this opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. 

Aiden Hugh Barron.  You have taught me how to love unselfishly.  I have learned to treasure each moment given to me.  Through you, I have learned to not sweat the silly things and to hold on to the important things in life.  It is because of you that I have found a renewed purpose in life and a refreshing in my relationship with The Father.  Our God gives life and He takes it away.  I am so grateful that He gave you to our family.  I have watched you grow and my heart soars and breaks with every milestone.  You have been an overachiever from the very beginning.  You already have eight teeth, you are in size 4 diapers, and you wear 18 month clothes.  You are walking around the house like you have been doing it for years.  I am so grateful, but I wish sometimes that I could go back a year ago and hold my new baby in my arms. 

I have mentioned this several times in my blogs, but you were not planned.  I had plans of my own.  However, God saw it fit to give your father and I a gift in the form of a precious baby.  I secretly call you a miracle baby.  Dictionary.com defines miracle as the following: 1.an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. 2. such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God. 3. a wonder; marvel.  You, my precious son, are a wonder, an event that has surpassed all my human understanding and has changed my life for the better.  I can't imagine not being your mother.  I am so honored at this privilege.  Thank you.  Thank you for showing me that love is not about what you receive from others but what you give to others.  Thank you for showing me that God has a divine plan in the midst of all my silly planning.  Thank you for teaching me that I can be do things that I never imagined I could.  You are my inspiration and the reason why I try to be a better person everyday.  I pray that one day you look back at the type of mother I am to you and the wife that I am to your father and are proud.  May God's love and strength shine through me.  

You are my heart.  I love you, Aiden Hugh Barron.  Happy (Day Before) Birthday. 

Friday's Thanksgiving Letter

Dear Brett Joseph.  You are so great with our son.  Aiden is absolutely positutely a "daddy's boy".  For some mothers, this might make them jealous.  Not I.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  I am thankful that you are such a great father to our son.  Dear Daily Thanksgiving Post on FB.  I have failed you.  I apologize for my lack of commitment, but there were more important things that demanded my attention.  Dear Thanksgiving Day.  I am grateful that you come around once a year to remind us of all our blessings.  Thanks to you, our families come together and eat, laugh, and enjoy each others company.  I have thoroughly enjoyed your presence this year.  Dear Aiden Hugh.  This was your first Thanksgiving and we didn't take one picture.  I am guilty of doing that but I feel that I am often in the moment and I forget to capture the moment.  I apologize for this mishap and I promise to try and take more pictures.  This has not been your favorite week either.  Your first year molars are coming in and you have not been yourself.  Mommy and Daddy are doing all we can to make sure you are comforted throughout this entire painful process.  Dear First Year Molars.  I. HATE. YOU.  You have turned my son into a crying, whining, sleeping, sad zombie and I want my old son back.  Get your process over with and BE GONE!!! Dear Prince Charming.  I love how you become Santa Clause as soon as Thanksgiving is over.  You came home today with garland strung with lights so we could hang it over the fireplace.  Your excitement for Christmas decor is precious and makes me love you even more.  I love you more than Santa loves cookies and milk. 

Friday's Letter

My Dearest Brett Joseph. You are so excited about hunting this weekend with your brother. I love seeing you like this. You're like a kid in a candy store, you can't contain your excitement. You are a city man most days of your life until hunting season starts. Then you turn into a honky tonk, back woods, hillbilly. Country music, camo, and all. I don't mind it. It makes you happy, and that makes me happy. My handsome Aiden. You are getting into EVERYTHING! This morning, your father and I walked into the bathroom to find you spinning the toilet paper off the toilet roll. Your laugh was the most precious thing. How can I get on to you when you're this cute??? Dear Sweet Rownin. I started babysitting you this week. You are a little over two months younger than Aiden. You two are hilarious together. I'm so thankful that Aiden has you to play with. You have to be one of the sweetest babies ever. Dear beloved husband. I have enjoyed you being home some afternoons this week. Especially on Wednesday nights where we can watch Duck Dynasty together. Can we please try to make them be our friends? I want to have Uncle Si and Jace in my life somehow. Thank you for all the hard work you do to support our family. I love you more than Jace loves bullfrogs.

Bass Pro Shop...A Man's Paradise

This past Sunday, we went to the Bass Pro Shops in Leeds after church. Brett was determined to introduce Aiden to the world of Bass Pro. They had just set up Santa's workshop which made Brett even more excited. I swear Brett is really meant to be Santa Clause. He's ready to start decorating for Christmas the day after Halloween. When we walked into Santa's workshop, Brett spotted this four wheeler that was small enough for Aiden to get on. It wasn't five seconds before I had Brett's keys and phone in my hand and he had Aiden on that four wheeler. I thought it was ridiculous at first; but the combination of Aiden's cuteness, the sight of him on this tiny vehicle, and Brett's face all lit up like Christmas morning...I've been convinced that Aiden has to have this toy. Will he ever use it...I don't know, but I can't get it out of my head. We spent a little over two hours just walking around and goofing off. I managed to break a hanger while trying on a jacket while it was still hanging on the rack. Brett of course walked away as if he didn't know me while I just stood there stuck in this jacket and the broken hanger was stuck in my hair. Oh the fun!! Aiden had no idea what was going on, but I imagine it won't be long until he's asking to take trips to the "Man Store". I actually look forward to the weekends where Aiden and Brett leave early in the morning to spend the day in the woods hunting. There are so many memories still to be made. I'm not rushing things, however. Aiden is growing too fast as it is!!

Aiden's Birthday Countdown...A look back...

Wasn't I just pregnant with a super active baby in my tummy?  Didn't I just come home with my little man from the hospital?  How in the world is my little man about to turn one?  I thought since your birthday is upon us, it would be fun to look back on the last 11 months.

First Month: 0 Months Old

This was taken right after you were born.  Your daddy was so proud.  He worked at the same hospital that I gave birth to you in.  I don't think he got much accomplished that day because he could not separate himself from you. 

You really are the most precious baby to me.  I am so happy to be your mother.

 

Aiden Hugh Barron
8 lbs, 14 ounces, and 21 1/2 inches long.  That's my future Auburn football player!!

Look at that double chin of yours.  You were such a big man!  I love that your onsie says "I Love Mommy".  I might have
done that on purpose.

Look at those lips!!  

We visited your Gran Jules and G Daddy for Christmas.  You had a diaper rash and wouldn't stop crying.  Your belly button thing (not sure what it's called) fell off, so we decided to try and put you in the bath tub.  You LOVED it.  We put ear plugs in your ear and let you play to your hearts desire.  You have loved the water and bath time ever since. 

This was your first night home.  Your daddy made sure that the house looked like the north pole exploded.  The front yard was full of Christmas lights and the inside had decoration galore.  We brought you home, and he turned on the Christmas movies and we ate cookies and milk while you and daddy cuddled in your man chair. 

I am not sure when this was taken, but I do know it was during the first month of you life.  You look so different now. 

Second Month:1 Month Old

This was your church outfit.  I tried to keep you stylish.

This was at our home in Mobile right before we moved to Birmingham.  You were in your pack n play. 

1 Month pictures taken by our friend Whitney Reynolds.

I love your blanket that your Gran got from Pottery Barn Kids. 

That frog was your best friend at one time.  I am in love with the wubbanubs.  They saved my life when it came to your comfort and my peace of mind. 

You have the sweetest face!

Third Month: 2 Months Old

You and Daddy shopping.

Not a good picture, but we tried.

I love that your lips are so kissable!!

You've always been a daddy's boy. 

Playing with your frog that daddy got you for Valentine's day. 

You are such a happy baby.

Fourth: 3 Months Old

Taking a nap in mommy's bed. 

I think I was trying to make you laugh. It looks like it was a failed attempt. 

Hanging out with Daddy.  Your favorite time of the day. 

You LOVED your wubbanubs!!

I've learned that as a mom, you rarely get pictures with your children.  This was an attempt a trying to take a picture together.  Of course, you weren't interested ;)

Five Months: 4 Months Old

We were headed to church on a Wednesday night.  It was your first time in nursery.  You did so well. 

You were so mad because you had eaten all of your baby food. 

Your 1st Easter basket.  It was bigger than you!

In Your Easter Attire:)

At Oak Mountain National Park.  You loved it.  

 6 Months: 5 Months Old

My Mother's Day gifts from you. 

You LOVE to jump in this thing!!

You were so tired, you fell asleep in the shower. 

You love bath time with your daddy!

Visiting with your cousin, Karmyn. 

Going to the pool with mommy and daddy.  You love the water!

You have always been a handsome man!

First time swimming at Lake Martin.  First of many to come.

7 Months: 6 Months Old

This was what you did for daddy for Father's Day!  He loved your gifts SO much!

We had just gotten back from the pool and you passed out.  You love the water, but it always made you sleepy. 

This was you watching the fireworks over the lake for July 4th.   

This was right before he mess of lunch!

Someone found their feet!

I love you in hats!

You tried to eat your float.

This picture was taken by our really good friends Chhorn and Beth Lim!  They have captured some of your most sweetest moments on camera. 

I will do the next few months in another blog.  I still can't believe you will be a year old in just a few weeks!! I do not care how old you are, you will always be my little man!