15 Months

Dear Patrick,

         15 months! I remember thinking that 15 months seemed so far away this time last year. I wondered what you would be able to do, and I remember looking at 12 month clothes thinking you would never be able to fit into those! Now you are running everywhere and barely fitting into 12 month clothes! It makes me a little sad to think about, but so proud of all you have accomplished!

         You probably weight around 23 pounds now, but that’s just a guess. You eat a TON, so you had to have put on weight! You are getting so tall and are probably around 30 inches, if not taller! We go to your official 15 month check up next week so we will know more then. You are in size 4 diaper, but are starting to grow out of those too, and 12 – 18 month clothing. You also wear a size 4 shoe, even though you would much rather run around barefoot!

         You eat like a moose! So may people comment that they can’t believe how much you eat! On a typical day your normally eat breakfast around 8:30 and will have an egg and a banana and blueberries, or a waffle instead of the egg. You have a small snack of goldfish around 10:30. Lunch is at 12:00 and normally consists of yogurt, two different fruits and maybe some crackers or hummus. You have another snack around 4:00 after your nap, which includes goldfish or teddy grahams, and then dinner at 6:00 which is normally whatever we are having. You eat so much and sometimes still ask for more! What a growing boy!

         This month you learned how to stand up on your own instead of using furniture. It’s so cute. You have to stick your butt up in the air as you push yourself up. It’s quite funny to watch. Unfortunately you have also started to hit! I’m not sure if it’s just to see our reaction, or if you really know what you are doing. Either way, it better stop soon! Right now when we reprimand you, you smile and laugh! That won’t work! I hope you understand that hitting is NOT nice soon!

         Patrick even though you are starting to show your stubborn side, you are still really cute, and it makes it hard to be upset with you for long! I know there will be times that you test your Daddy’s and my patience, but always remember we love you and want what is best for you! We can’t wait to see what you do this month!

Love,

Mommy

5 Years

Today, Michael and I have been married for five years! I can't believe how fast time has flown by. We have survived a deployment to Iraq, and the pregnancy and birth of our first son! I love him even more now then I did then.

Today he also returns home from his two week AT (Insert excited squeal here!) I told him I didn't want anything for my birthday besides a date night out to my favorite sushi restaurant. He has planned that for tonight, and even arranged care for Patrick. To say I am excited it an understatment!

Michael, I love you more now than ever. You are an amazing husband and father and I can't wait to see what there is in store for the next five years.

Pinterest

Since Michael has been gone, I have been doing a lot (besides playing with Patrick and cleaning the house!) Pinterest is a serious problem that I have! I just can't stop pinning things, it's horrible! Here are the projects that I have done so far:

Patrick now has lots of new CUTE onesies! I need to start putting these on regular T-shirts, but I haven't found ones without pockets! Suggestions? I know he will thank me later for his cute wardrobe (Insert Michael's eyeroll here!)

Ok, so this wasn't Pinterest inspired, but we needed to plant plants on the side of the house to finish off our gardening. I took care of that! Ignore the weeds, I am letting Michael finish those off....and mulch!

This is a wood growth chart I made for Patrick. The numbers aren't on yet because I haven't quite decided how to do it yet. It is supposed to look antiqued or distressed. I thought I did very well with that, then my Dad came over and was confused by the whole concept. HA. Oh well!

Yes, just call me Martha. This was done on burlap. CUTE.

This is our front door. I ordered the Welcome from Etsy, because I wasn't quite that talented (and didn't own a Criket machine) but the burlap wreath I made!

I am quite impressed with my talent! I already have other projects in mind, but I need Michael to sand things when he gets home! I know he is beyond thrilled!

Patience

We are more than halfway through this two week AT and I feel stupid and ridiculous even feeling like this. I am exhausted. Words can't even describe the exhaustion. I am just tired. Tired of doing everything around here. Don't get me wrong, I do most everything anyway, but the at least Michael is normally here to give me a 5 minute reprieve.

Not to mention Patrick is starting to get a stubborn streak in him. He is also starting to hit. I am torn as to what to do with that. I have been smacking his hand and firmly saying "No." I would much prefer a timeout to hitting. It doesn't make sense to me...hitting him because he hit me. Don't get me wrong, I believe a kid needs a good spanking every now and then (if the need arises) but Patrick is too little to understand a time out. Any suggestions?

Today, he was hitting his head against the wall (Why?) so I moved him from the wall and tried to distract him with other toys. Well he didn't like that, came over and smacked my leg! I said, "No, we don't hit Mommy." To which he smiled, and hit me again! Ughhh. Then I smacked his hand and sat him on the carpet away from me, again saying 'No.' He cried that time, but then came right back and did it again! What do I do?

By the end of the day I am spent and my patience is gone. I feel so bad getting short with him or yelling, when he is so little and doesn't understand why I am doing it. After bath time today he would NOT sit still long enough for me to get his diaper on, even after handing him everything I had in arms reach to distract. I yelled at him, and he started crying. My heart hurt. Seriously. But what do I do? After I put him down for bedtime, I felt so bad I went back up and rocked him.

When I tell Michael he always suggests getting my parents to watch him for a bit. Well that's nice, but then I feel like a failure. Why can't I watch him and just handle it. It's two weeks for crying out loud. I did it for a whole freaking year and survived and I am struggling with TWO WEEKS. What the hell would I do if he deployed?

Ugh. For now I am going to have a glass of wine and feel like the WMOY...Worst mom of the year.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my Mom's birthday! She is such a great Mom. She coached me in field hockey since I was old enough to hold a stick, gave me advice and guided me. She never pushed, but instead let me come to my own decisions, but was always close by if I needed her. Now she has turned into a great friend. She swears we have always had a 'connection.' She claims when I was a baby, when she would walk by the room, I would ALWAYS wake up out of a dead sleep and look for her. She also claims that she knew I was pregnant before I even told her (She may be crazy too!)

Love at first site! Patrick loves his Nana!

Happy Birthday Momma! I hope I can be half the Mom you have been to me.

House Tour

Ok, so this post took long enough for me to get together! We still have pictures to hang and furniture to sand and repaint, and boxes to unpack (still!) but here it is! Welcome to our House!

Front of house (obviously!)

Our (Michael's) office. We still have many things to hang in here!

This is our entry way when you walk through the front door. Off to the left, is our office. 

Once you walk through the entry way, past the office and stairs you walk into the family room. It has two story ceilings and you can look up into the loft area. 

Off of the family room is our kitchen. I LOVE this area. We have so much counter and cabinet space it's amazing. Off to the left (behind the cat) is all counter space and the oven. I guess I should have done a better job of taking pictures! You can see our breakfast area off to the right in the dark. If you look in the left corner of the picture there is a doorway that takes you to the laundry room and an entry to the garage.

If you look back at the entry way photo, there is a doorway off to the right. This leads to our master bedroom and a half bath across. I didn't take a picture of the bath, but here is our bedroom. Again, in LOVE.

Master bathroom. Double sinks, shower and claw foot tub on the left. Straight ahead is our closet. Not the best lighting...I should have turned more on!

At the top of the stairs is the loft area. Patrick's room is right on the left at the top of the stairs (He is asleep so you get that picture some other time!) This is where we keep some of his toys. He loves it!

Loft, another view. I love that you can see downstairs.

Guest room upstairs - a work in progress!

Another bedroom upstairs. Again, a work in progress. There is a bathroom attached to this room, and a huge storage area. The door isn't pictures but it's to the left of whats in the picture. 

Upstairs bath

We are so happy with everything and we are loving living here. The neighborhood is nice and quiet and Patrick loves playing outside! I am excited we have off in the summer because now I have time to really turn the house into our home!

Sorry about the picture taking and format. I don't claim to be a photographer!

Another Year Older

Today I turn the big 2-8. I don't like that number. When I hit 27 this past year I was a little sad, I am getting OLD! I know many people will laugh at that, but for some reason that number just seems old to me.

28. We are supposed to have our ten year reunion this year (which I don't think I am going to anyway) which is just crazy to me! I have been out of school for ten years? Where has that time gone?

I look at my life and am so amazed at how much I have accomplished in 28 years. I have my Master's degree, a good job, an amazing husband, a smart and handsome son, and a gorgeous house. Does it get much better than that?

Today, my husband is away (like every other year....I can't remember the last time we spent my birthday together!) but little man and I plan on having some fun. Today will be our first pool day! It is supposed to be HOT, so he won't stay in too long! I plan on taking the pack and play to my Mom's and putting him down for his nap and then I can get some much needed relaxation and sun! After that, maybe I will go to dinner with Patrick too! He can be my birthday date!

While I may not like the age, I am thankful for another year to spend with my amazing family and friends and look forward to what the next year brings!

Two Weeks?

That time of year has come again...the two week AT. I remember thinking before Michael deployed that two weeks was so long. I felt like those 14 days would never be over. HA. Then he deployed. To Iraq. For a year. Yeah, needless to say, I felt like a complete idiot for complaining about two weeks!

Two weeks is nothing!

I love the people that always say, "I don't know how you do it!" or "I couldn't do it!" Really? It's not like we have much choice in the matter! My response to those people is always the same, "Do you love you husband? Then you can do it!" I would go to the end of the Earth for that man, so I can wait as long as it takes!

Anyway, I have never experienced AT with a toddler! Talk about exhausting. We are only on day 4 and I am looking for light at the end of the tunnel. Don't get me wrong, I love my son and I have so much fun with him, but he is exhausting! I better be 10 lbs skinnier with all of this running around I am doing!

I keep trying to think of new things to do with him! One day we went shopping, one day we played outside in the dirt (not so much fun for me!), we take walks every night, we made a mold of his foot, and have tried new foods like hummus (which he loves!). We plan on Toddler Time at the library this week, maybe a Strawberry festival on Saturday, and hopefully going to the pool for the first time this year. It is supposed to be HOT this week! Any other suggestions for me?

First Steps

While this post is well overdue, almost two months now, I just had to post it! He is so cute! Now he is practically running all over the house!

Happy Father's Day!

I was blessed growing up. I had parents who were amazing role models, and as I have gotten older, have become good friends and mentors who I look to for advice, especially now that we have Patrick. While I love both of my parents more than words can describe, I am definitely a Daddy's girl. He was the one that I always looked to for approval, and who I measured all of the guys I dated against (because there were SOO many, ha!)

Now that we have Patrick, seeing Michael as a dad has made me fall in love with him all over again. He is an amazing Father. Seeing his face light up when he comes home from work and Patrick runs to him just makes me melt. No one can make Patrick laugh like he does. From his funny faces, to wrestling around with him on the floor, Patrick just can't get enough. I am so happy and proud that I have found someone who is such an amazing husband and father. We love you!

I'm Back!

I have really neglected this blog for awhile now! I am kind of disappointed in myself because I had been doing really good. I could make excuses, like we moved into our house, life is insanely busy, Patrick is a wild man now, but the fact is, I just really didn't feel like it! I had things I wanted to write about and events with Patrick I wanted to document, but at the end of the day I was exhausted and really just wanted to have a glass of wine instead.

Life happens.

So much has happened since the last time I wrote! Our house is coming along, we actually have curtains and rugs and new furniture, oh my! Patrick is walking all over the place and is learning to say more words everyday. He really is so much fun right now, I just love him to pieces!

Today was the last day of school! I am free! To say this year was challenging is an understatement. I have to say this was the first time I dreaded going to work. 99% of my class was amazing, but there were a few that made me hate my job. The good news is, they have moved on, and as weird as it sounds, I am ready for the new class to come along. Almost. First, I have some summer fun to enjoy! We are planning a lot of day trips with little man, and I can't wait to see his reactions to the many things we do together this summer.

Hopefully with summer break starting I can blog during nap times and catch up on everything that has happened with Patrick and the house! Plan for picture overload! Stay tuned!

12 Months

Dear Patrick,
I don't think that I can fully describe how I feel about your first birthday! It is so hard to believe that one year ago today, you were placed in my arms after waiting 9 long months to meet you. To watch you grow over this past year is a blessing. This past month you have started to point at the objects or food that you want, or the people you want to go see. You still love to wave hello and goodbye to everyone you see, stranger or not! You also say 'Hi' and 'Hey' when we walk in the room!

You weigh around 21 pounds, and are probably 29 inches long. We go to the Doctor next week and will have your real numbers then. You wear size 4 diapers, and size 2 to 3 shoe, even though they often come off! You are in size 12 month clothing, but the pants are still a little long for you. I have a feeling that we are going to have to buy different size pants and shirts soon because the tops fit just fine!

You have nursed for an entire year! While it was hard work at times, I am so glad, and proud that I was able to feed you the best for a year. The past week we have started to mix in whole milk so we can transition you to that during the day. You like to drink out of your sippy cup and are slowly starting to wean yourself off a bottle. We know when you are done drinking because often times the sippy cup ends up on the floor! You are still a great eater! You eat everything we put in front of you, including a pepper I tried this month and pancakes! I can't wait to see your reaction to your cake at your birthday party.

You still get up once a night, but that is ok. I know when you are ready you will sleep through the night! I think once you switch to whole milk full time you will sleep all the way through. You do sleep in very well though, which I am thankful for. This month we had a two hour delay at school and we got to sleep the whole two hours because you didn't wake up until 8:00!

You absolutely love other children. I think that is why you love daycare so much! When we are in stores you sit and stare, or try to wave. Your favorite toys still include your ball, remote control and walker, but I am sure with your birthday there will be more to add to the list! You are such a speed demon around the house. You can even walk while holding on to just one of our hands. I am sure that walking by yourself is just around the corner. We are starting to see a stubborn streak in you! You constantly go after the dogs food, or the electrical outlets and when Daddy tells you 'No,' you point at him, shake your head, and go right back to it! I can't help but laugh!

Patrick, you have been such a blessing in our lives. God sent us such a perfect little angel, and we couldn't have asked for a sweeter, happier little boy. While I am sad that you are growing up so fast, I am so excited to see what you learn next. I know this next year will be just as exciting as the first. I am so proud to be your Mom.

Love,
Mommy

MIA

I have been MIA for quite awhile now, but for a good reason...we finally moved into our house! We received our certificate of occupancy on March 7, and moved in that Saturday. I have to say I was completely overwhelmed.

When we started to move things out of our house we did it a little at a time, so I had forgotten just how much stuff we had really accumulated. To say I was shocked was an understatement. We have a three car garage in our house and it was packed. We couldn't park either car in the garage. RIDICULOUS!

I made it a goal to unpack a few boxes a night, which I did all last week. Then this weekend Michael and I really went through the boxes, threw a ton of stuff away and then our friend Dale came over and they moved what needed to be moved to the proper places in the house today. We can even park in the garage now! I even got curtains hung in our bedroom. We still need to get the TV on the wall, hopefully this coming week, and hang up pictures and really make it home. There will be a trip to IKEA soon to get new couches and a bookshelf or two for Patrick's play area.

I can't believe we are finally in our house. It really is amazing. Grass is even growing in our lawn and I can imagine Patrick playing out back when he finally starts to walk on his own. Don't get me wrong, we still have a long way to go, but we have a lifetime for that!

I PROMISE I will post pictures this week!!

11 Months

Dear Patrick,

Only one month away from a year old. I remember this time last year I was begging my Doctor not to put me on bedrest, and now you are already 11 months old! How things change in a year. This month you started to get braver with your walking, and tried many different recipes that we made for you including a squash and apple bake! You even learned how to give Mommy and Daddy kisses! It is so cute. You open your mouth wide and slobber us, but we love it!

You weigh probably around 21 pounds and are 28 1/2 inches long. You can still fit into your 9 month clothes, but it's a tight squeeze. The 12 month clothes give you more room to move around in! You wear size 3 diapers during the day (barely) but size 4 at night. I think we are going to switch to size 4 during the day soon. Again, so you have more room to move around! You still wear size 2 to 3 shoe, but you much prefer just socks, or nothing at all!

You are still nursing (Go Mommy!). You drink anywhere from 10 to 16 ounces at Ms. Margaret's and then you nurse when we are home together at night and in the morning before you leave. You eat all kinds of finger foods! Anything we put on your plate, you love! You even tried spaghetti and grapes this month and could not get enough. We are so glad that you are not a picky eater. It makes our job much easier! Since all of your food has been homemade I think you may have a sugar rush next month with your cake! There will be no turning back after that!

You are still waking up throughout the night. We were going so good with only once a night, but then the stomach bug got you last weekend, and it has been a little rough since. We are hoping that since you are feeling better your sleeping habits go back to normal! Even though you get up at night, you sleep later than us! There are some mornings we have to wake you up to get you ready!

We realized that you absolutely the show 'Wheel of Fortune.' You get so excited and if someone stands in your way, you lean your head to the side so you can still see. It is so cute. At least you are learning your letters! You have added the word, "Ball" to your vocabulary and love playing with one. You also particularly like your remote control that Grandpop got for you! This past month we experienced your first stomach virus. You were not yourself at all and it broke our hearts. It is something we hope to not see again for a very long time, or every for that matter. You are such a lively little boy and to see you so worn out was sad. Luckily the bug only lasted for 12 hours or so, but it took you a little while to recover. Thank goodness you are a resilient little boy.

Patrick, you are the happiest, most content little boy. You constantly amaze us with what you learn. I have to say that although I can't wait to see what you learn next, my heart breaks a little because I realize how fast you are growing up. We love you very much little boy!

Love,
Mommy

House Update!

I still can't get back into the routine of blogging. I want to, I just can never find the time. Things should slow down around here though. This is the last week of the block, so the class I am teaching is over and the two I am taking are done! Yay! I am putting a class online this block, but that is pretty easy!

Now on to the house front! I cannot believe we are so close to our move in date. When we first started, we thought the house would be done in May or June. We were shocked when they said March 23, and now it looks like even that has been moved up - probably March 9!!! TWO WEEKS!

I love my parents, but it is time to GO. Not only that but I am just anxious to have my own place, my own room, my own TV and my own DVR. Not only that, but I can't wait to get into this beauty:


I have always wanted a claw foot tub! I know some people will shake their heads and wonder why we didn't get a jacuzzi tub, but I love these things! Not only that but we have a cable outlet on the wall so I can watch RHNJ and drink my wine! Ahhh, heaven.

The granite is in, the fixtures are up, and the only thing we really have left are closet shelves and carpet, which my brother should be starting this weekend.


I will try to post more pictures this weekend, but they are all on my phone!

I. Can't. Wait.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I have the sweetest (and cutest) Valentine ever!

Yes, his shirt is a valentine's tie, and yes, I made it! I am becoming quite talented in my old age. Patrick may hate me for the amount of shirts I am about to make him!

National Guard = Army Wife

As I was browsing through Facebook today during a pumping session at work, I saw a post that discussed a blog that basically said that National Guard Wives are NOT Army Wives. She argues that although our husbands deploy like active duty army, we are in fact not Army wives because our husbands get to return to their civilian jobs, and active duty soldiers keep on their uniforms and return to being a 'soldier.' She also goes on to say that her husband can be deployed at any time, while we get the 'safety' of knowing that our husbands can't be deployed for four years.

Wow. She is a special one. While I am glad she has the freedom to express her opinion, I wish she would educate herself, which, by the way, she says National Guard wives are not. (I have two Master's degrees, am working on a third, teach 4th grade and Master's level classes - I am educated, thanks). First of all, yes, my husband did return to a civilian job, some do not. Some return to full time guard jobs which may not be there anymore. While civilian jobs are protected, active duty jobs are not. My husband returned from two deployments and became a teacher again. I almost think this is, in a way, more difficult. My husband had to return from Iraq, where he was a full time soldier, in the dirt with other soldiers who understood him, to a civilian job where no one can really fully comprehend what it is like to be deployed. Not only that, but he is amazing at TWO jobs - a Captain in the guard, and a school counselor. VERY educated. Thanks.

According to this 'educated' individual, my husband doesn't really qualify as a soldier because he only goes to drill one weekend a month, two weeks a year. While I agree with the time, my husband can get called in during national disasters, and whenever the Guard decides. Does this make him any less of a soldier? At one point, this lady actually says the uniforms are different. No, they are the same. Again, get educated yourself.

I hate lashing out against other military wives. We are supposed to be in this together. We are supposed to understand that although we are holding it together on the outside, there are times when a box of wine isn't enough at night. I can guarantee this woman that when my husband deploys, I cry just like she does, I have lonely nights like she does, I hold it together and bite my tongue when people say, "I couldn't do it" (Do you love your husband? Yes, you could), I couldn't wait for him to get off of that bus and back into my arms. I worry, watch the news, and have my heart skip a beat when the phone rings, like she does. Does the branch of military make our deployments mean less?

Airborne wife (that's her name on her blog) then lectures us Guard Wives on how to act in public, and what manners we should have when meeting commanders, and how NOT to disgrace the uniform our husbands wear. NEWSFLASH, she just disgraced the uniform her husband wears. Perhaps she should take some of her own advice and get educated.

Her husband also commented on the blog and talks about how he gets mad when people say he is in the Guard and doesn't understand why people don't know the difference. It's simple, people don't know the difference because they see a person in uniform, and they are all the same. They are the soldiers who have given up their weekends, their holidays and time with families to protect their freedoms. They can't see the difference because it doesn't matter. All soldiers bleed the same and make the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

I feel much better now! I also feel much better knowing that the husband of this woman had to have a sit down with his commander regarding his comments on her blog. The commander of the recruiting station where he works said that although the wife is correct and she can say what she wants, he cannot. I guess perhaps he should learn how to act in the uniform.

10 Months

Double Digits, oh boy! This blog is two days late, but better late than never. Things are so crazy around here these days. I really do hope to be able to blog more in the future.

But on to the good stuff!

Dear Patrick,

Double digits! What a big boy! Before we know it, you are going to be a year old! This month you started to pick up more food on your own and feed yourself! You are walking all over the place, behind your toys of course, and you love to walk around hanging on to the furniture. You are getting to be a daredevil, and hang on using only one hand- I think you will be standing on your own soon!

You weigh 20 pounds and are 28 inches long. You are in some 9 month clothes (which fit perfectly) and 12 month clothes. You wear a size 3 diaper, but that is getting a little snug. You wear a size 4 at night and I think we are going to switch to a size 4 during the day too, but we have a lot of size 3 left (thanks to Mommy’s planning) so we are trying to use as many of those as we can first! You wear size 2 to 3 shoe, but would rather not wear any at all!

You are still nursing (Yay!). You eat anywhere from 10 to 16 ouches during the day at daycare, and then you nurse when I get home from work, during the night, and before I go to work in the morning. You are still eating oatmeal in the morning and then a variety of food for lunch and dinner. You have eaten pieces of chicken, turkey, green beans, peas, cheese, avocado, bananas, crackers, and so much more. You love everything!

For a while this month you were only waking up once a night, but this past week you have woken up two times a night. I think it may be because you are going through a growth spurt. The good news is on the weekend you normally sleep until 7 or a little later! Daddy and I love that!

You love all of your toys! Recently Nana got out a wooden car and you love pushing that around on the floor. Your favorite thing these days is chasing Nana’s cat BC. You see him and take off after him. BC tries to run away but you are pretty quick and catch up, squealing the whole time. It is very cute. Rocky is one of your best friends. He lays in your room at night by your crib, and during the day he lets you crawl all over him. Now that you are eating pieces of food he waits at the foot of your high chair for anything you drop. You are still saying Momma and Dadda and will copy, or try to, any noises we make. I am working on getting you to say, “I Love You,” now.

Patrick, you are such a happy little boy and we love you so very much. We can’t imagine life without you and can’t wait to see what the next month brings.

Love,

Mommy

House Happenings

Our house is moving right along! The builder got the first coat of paint on the walls, and I have to say I am very impressed with our choice. I always get so nervous with that sort of thing because I am a very visual person and need to see the final product to really decide if I like it or not. Thank goodness I like it!

This coming week, my brother is laying the floor in the bathrooms, trim work around the windows and doors with go in and they will start leveling the ground outside. So exciting! We are still about two months out, but still, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

This past week we picked out, and ordered appliances, picked our ceiling fans and light fixtures, and started to look at couches and other furniture we want. I have a new found love for IKEA but that is for another post.

We had a few setbacks, but overall the process is going pretty smoothly. I seriously cannot wait to move in and make it our own, however, I am dreading unpacking. A small price to pay!

9 Months

Dear Patrick,

9 months, already!? I cannot believe you only have one month left in the single digits! My heart is breaking a little. I am so sad that you are growing up so fast, but so proud to see all that you are accomplishing already. This month you started to pick up food and feed yourself on your own, climb up and hang onto objects, clap your hands and walk behind your toys. Such a big boy!

You weigh 18 pounds and 11 ounces, and are around 27 1/2 inches long. You are in 9 month clothes, and some 12 month shirts. You are in size 12 month pajamas and still love you sleep sack at night. Size 3 diapers still fit, but I think we may have to go up a size at night soon. You wear size 2 shoes, and love our soft, stretchy shoes that we got for you - they actually stay on!

You are still nursing (go us!) and have about 24 ounces a day. In the morning you have oatmeal and bananas (which you love!), for lunch and dinner you have a variety of food. You love anything we put in front of you, and even tried grapes this month! You, of course, loved them! You can even pick up pieces of food now, and enjoy Gerber puffs. You can't get enough!

You are still waking 2 or 3 nights a night, but now if you get up before 1, I pick you up and rock you back to sleep instead of feeding you. I hope you start to sleep a little better soon. You are such a happy little boy despite the lack of sleep. Everyone comments about how happy you are and what big, beautiful brown eyes you have. We are truly blessed.

You have some new favorite toys thanks to Christmas. You especially love your walker and play table. I have a feeling you will be walking sooner than we think. Bath time is still fun, and you love splashing and yelling! You have stated to mimic what we say more, and have said Momma a few times. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is your absolute favorite and you laugh and squeal every time Mickey comes on TV. Disney is going to be so much fun for you, and I can't wait!

Patrick, you have made us so happy. Seeing your smiling face simply melts our hearts, and we can't imagine our lives without you. You have accomplished so much in your short little life, and I can't wait to see what you do next. We love you so much little man.

Love,
Mommy