11 Months

Dear Drew,

How is it possible that another month has gone by, and that next month we will be celebrating your first birthday?? Everyone told me that it goes by too fast - now I believe them. You are certainly not a "baby" anymore....You are growing up and turning into this little person right in front of my very eyes.

You are developing such a personality.... When we are out and about, you have to take it all in. You don't crack a smile too easiliy for strangers, and you are pretty quiet. But when we get home or around people you know, you really let loose and smile, talk, and giggle. You are into ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. You are most certainly on the move these days. Your little legs take you very quickly where you want to go. You haven't attempted walking yet, but you are cruising around on all of the furniture and have stood on your own a few times - until you realized you were doing it and promptly fell down!

You have 6 teeth now and eat just about anything I put in front of you. You got over your "people food strike" and now you want nothing to do with baby food, which suits us just fine. Your favorite things are anything involving cheese - such your daddy's boy! I need to buy stock in Kraft so I can keep enough cheese in stock in the house.

You rarely snuggle anymore, but when you do, I relish every moment. Most nights you will snuggle with me after your bottle and I love that time with you. You are now saying "Mama" and it thrills me beyond belief. You love to play peek-a-boo and get a big kick out of yourself for doing it.

Your 11th month will be full of many exciting things - a beach trip, starting back in Kindermusik, meeting some of your cousins for the first time, and a BIRTHDAY PARTY!!! I can't believe it.

Every day I am amazed at how blessed I am to be your mommy. I can't imagine my life without you, and most of the time I don't remember a time that you weren't part of my life. I think that is because I loved you before you were ever a twinkle in my eye.... You are such a joy to your daddy and me. We LOVE being your parents.

Happy 11 Month Birthday sweet baby boy!!!

I love you!

Mommy

10 Months

Dear Drew,

My baby Drew isn't so much of a baby anymore! I can't believe what a big boy you are becoming. We have had a fun month and you are definitely keeping your mommy and daddy on our toes.

You are pulling up on everything and crawling everywhere. You have just started cruising around a little bit on the furniture. You uttered your first "mama" the other day - at the same time that you got your first knot on your little head! You ran into the corner of a door and boy did you cry! And then said "ma-ma-ma-ma" as your stretched your little arms out for me. I'm sure that is only the first of MANY bumps on the head.

You are really starting to like big boy food - peas, green beans, chicken, cheese. You will not pretty much try anything we put in front of you. Quite a change from even last week when you wouldn't have anything to do with any finger foods other than puffs! We went to Piggy's for the first time and you loved the ice cream. We also have discovered that you like cake when you pretty much planted your face in my piece the other day!

You had a very busy 4th of July. We went to a birthday party, the church picnic, and our neighborhood picnic. You slept blissfully through the many fireworks that were being set off right outside your window. I'm not sure how you managed that!!!

It is fascinating to watch you grow and learn. You are full of curiousity and wonder - and I love every minute of it. I can hardly believe that in two short months you will be a year old.

You are such a blessing to me!!!
I love you!
Mommy

Powerful Word for the Day....

I was in the car today on the way to go grocery shopping. I was listening to our local Christian radio station, and the song "Praise You in the Storm" was playing. It is one of my favorites. But today, for some reason, one line struck me and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. It says, "Every tear I've cried, you hold in your hand." What an amazing image of our loving, compassionate, and caring Father. Picturing His strong hands holding my tears almost brings me to tears....

Isn't it comforting to know that the God of the universe loves us enough to hold our tears in his hands??

9 Months

Dear Drew,

What a fun month it has been!!! I can barely wrap my mind around all the things you are doing now. As always, it has gone WAY too fast and you are getting to be too big too fast for your mommy. But I know that is part of this motherhood gig, and I just have to get used to it.

Your army crawl has turned into a real crawl and you are really on the move. I can't take my eyes off of you for a second. You are also pulling up now - on EVERYTHING! Your favorite spot is the entertainment center. You are just like your daddy - you love the electronics! Your two top teeth have come in so you are now sporting a 4 tooth grin. I love it! You have also learned to sign "all done" and even say it in your own little way.

You've grown out of all kinds of things - your bouncy seat, your car carrier, your activity gym.... It amazes me the rate at which I am moving things down to the basement to put away for the "next baby" - a LONG way down the road, I might add! It makes me sad to put it all up, but at the same time it is so exciting to watch you explore the world around you and learn new things every day.

You also found out this month that you are going to have a new baby cousin in December. Your Aunt Amy is having another baby, and it will be so much fun to have another baby in the family. I hope you two will grow up to be very close! Your cousin Braden already adores you, so I'm pretty sure you two will always be big buds!

I can hardly believe that in just 3 short months we will be celebrating your first birthday. I will treasure these moments forever and I am so very grateful that I am your mommy. I couldn't ask for anything better in the world.

I love you baby boy!
Mommy

This.......

...is what I walked into after Drew's morning nap today. Think it might be time to lower the crib?? I'm gonna have my hands full!!!

8 Months

Happy 8 Months Baby Drew!

You are getting to be SUCH a big boy!!! I fall more and more in love with you every day.

You are really on the move now! You decided to start "crawling" this month. Now, for you this means the army crawl. You crack me up because you use your whole body - head included - to get where you want to go. And lately, you have wanted to go towards either electrical cords or Lexie's bones. You have a TON of toys, but all you want is what you aren't supposed to have!

I walked into your room a couple of mornings ago and you greeted me - sitting up! You acted so proud of yourself - as you should be! That's a pretty big feat - going from lying down to sitting up!

You went on your first airplane ride. You and I went to Florida to visit Jen, Chad, Jack, and Grant. You were such a trooper and had a great time. You absolutely loved the pool. I think you are going to be a water boy for sure. You loved watching Grant and Jack and I could tell you were trying hard to figure out how to GO like they were!

You have also learned to clap and wave. It's pretty cute!!! Now every time someone says "YAY!" you grin and clap your hands.

It was my first Mother's Day this year, and it was one of the most special days of my life. You have brought me so much joy and happiness. I feel so blessed that God smiled on me and entrusted me to be your mommy!

8 Months of Pure Joy!
I love you baby boy!
Mommy

7 Months

Dear Drew,

I am a day late on this post...Where has the month gone?? Time goes so much faster now that you are in our lives. There are many days that I just want to make time stand still so I can enjoy these fleeting moments with you for just a little bit longer. You are growing up too fast for me! But what fun we are having. Daddy and I just love to see the new things you learn, and watch you take in the world around you.

You are really coming into your own as far as your personality is concerned. You are CONSTANT motion. If you are awake, you are moving, and you don't want to miss a thing. I have no idea where you might have gotten that (ha, ha - you definitely get it from me). You are also very inquisitive and seem very interested in making things work. You come by that honestly too....you have quite the engineer for a daddy.

You are sitting up like a pro these days and hardly ever fall over. If you do, you are great at catching yourself so you don't get hurt. We got you a Johnny Jump Up and now all you do is jump, jump, jump. I can sit you down on my lap, and you will just start bouncing. Like I said, constant motion.

We celebrated your first Easter and what a wonderful day it was. I dressed you in a sweet little outfit that you will probably hate me for one day, but that's okay. I can only dress you like a little baby boy for so long.... We had Gigi, Pop, Doodle, Grandaddy, Aunt Amy, Uncle Trade, and cousin Braden to our house for Easter dinner. You and your cousin hunted for eggs and he was so excited to help you find them. He loves you so much. It was such a special day for us to celebrate with you, and we can't wait to help you understand the meaning of Easter.

You have turned from a teeny tiny baby to a big boy right in front of my very eyes. I love watching you grow and explore. I love being your mommy.

I love you sweet boy,

Mommy