Sweet 1 years old!!!

Where do I even start with this kid. He has been such an amazing blessing to our family. I just look at him and he makes me giggle like a little school girl. I am not sure if it is those blue piercing eyes or those cheeks that have been pinched too many times to count.
I told Brett when I was pregnant with Abe that as sick as I was, this baby was going to hold a special place in my heart. I think my exact words were "I think I am going to have a serious sweet spot for this little one". Man, did I nail it. Abram was 5 weeks early, the whole pregnancy went nothing liked I planned but the minute I held him I knew everything was perfect.

Being my second born, Abram got a much more relaxed Mom. I didn't stress about nursing, napping times or how many dirty diapers he had a day. I just held him and loved on him because I knew how fast this first year would go and I was not going to miss it. Now here we are a year from his birth and I am thinking.... why didn't I snuggle him a little more???? Shoot, if we have another baby, that baby is for sure going to get smothered!!!

Abe, sweet sweet Abe,

I love you so much and tend to miss you when you take your long naps. You fit in so perfect in our family and your big brother and Daddy love and adore you. This has been such a year of changes and challenges but you have been more than a joy to raise through it all. I can't wait to see what kind of person you become. Yet, I am not going to lie, part of me never wants you to grow up at all. Just so you know, even if Daddy tells you it is time to move out after you graduate from high school, you are always more than welcome to come on back home. Please never leave me and marry a women, drive on major highways, play aggressive sports or camp with an open flame. Oh wait, no I don't mean that, I am not a crazy mom, I just want to be around you as long as I can.

I love you my sweet little man!!

Because I have to

Hey guys, I am not going to lie, I am kinda bored with the thought of blogging but I feel the need to do it because it is kinda a journal of my life in some ways. I honestly thought I would have a little more time on my hands to come up with fun blogs and pictures. It turns out that these stay at home moms do a lot of work. Maybe now that the holidays are over and we are headed into some cold days, I will make more time.

Anyway, Christmas was good this year, I would say one of the better Christmas's I have had ever. What was the difference, you ask? Less gifts, more just enjoying my family and all the fun Christmas traditions. I kept hearing so many people say "I have so much to do, I have not even started shopping yet.......". My response was "mmm, I'm done!" That is right, got a few little things for Hutchy, even found some on craigslist. Did one homemade gift for Brett along with some shirts and well Abe.... he got lots of wrapping paper and tape. I was blessed to get some wonderful gifts from others and my kids have all kinds of fun things to play with from grandparents but it would have been just as much fun with an even more simple Christmas.

I think my top 5 things about this Christmas were:

- Christmas Eve with the family. We missed the Christmas eve service because of poor planning on my part and ended up going to Jimmy Johns for dinner and being the only people there. We then went home, got the kids in the bath and turned on the fireplace. it was not as we planned at all but kinda magical to all be together at home. The boys smelled so good and were so warm and snuggly, I loved it!

- Watching Hutch get so excited for each gift. I kinda thought it would be overload for him but he did great and I felt like he was so thankful for each thing.

- Snuggling with my sweet Abe in his jammies on Christmas morning. I often want to be more like Abram, I love his childlike heart, life is so simple for this little guy. Oh those cheeks!!!

- Watching my family members snarf down several dozens of cookies I made. I love cooking when others enjoy it so much. I am not sure how many total peanut butter balls I made but they were a hit!!! I love standard white trash cookies like that. Forget my Martha Stewart cookbook when I have Better Homes and Gardens!!!

- Making homemade scarfs for a couple of my family members. I made them from Brett's old undershirts and some Rit dye. I was pretty pleased with how they turned out. Talk about being thrifty!!

Well, there you have it. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and if you wished it would have been a little more relaxing. Don't spend so much money and time shopping for all those people because you feel like you have to. Don't go to the mall, just find fun things in your own home to share with others.