One

I can't believe our tiny baby boy is already a year old! We celebrated the day after his actual birthday, on a rainy Saturday, perfect for milk & cookies!

I had the idea for this party quite a while ago (like, maybe before he was even born?) but my original thought included a park setting. With the weather I was glad we had opted for something indoors.

I'm convinced there is nothing sweeter than planning events to celebrate little ones. This one was no exception. I was committed to making, rather than buying, just about everything I could for this party, and with two parents working full time, time is of the essence! We got to work way back in January. 

I may be getting "craftier" with motherhood, but I'm still not very original. I like to refer to my style as "recreating." I typically have to draw my inspiration from something I've seen before. Enter Pinterest. Ideas and tutorials galore! Of course I also have amazing friends (Allison) who spent an evening after a long day at work sewing flag banners and sweet grandparents who helped baked delicious cookies.

This little one is loved so well by so many. Friends and family drove from all over in the rain to help celebrate him. He started walking the night before his first birthday, and was happy to show off that new skill to everyone.

This day made me reflective (as almost everything in my life does), and I found my mind constantly drifting back to the same day a year ago. I have so many dear memories of the day and the days following Wesley's birth, but I kept going back to one moment. 3 AM. The night after he was born. Holding that tiny baby after nursing him in my hospital bed, still exhausted and hurting from his birth. In that moment I could have never imagined what this past year would bring. The sleepless nights, the colic, the worry, the prayer, being on my knees at my bedside every night - because I knew without the Lord's help I would never make in through. Yes.

But...

the indescribable JOY, the laughter, the coos, first steps, first words, first kisses, the love, the love, the love. YES! It's more than I could have ever imagined, ever hoped for. What was difficult in the beginning has overwhelmingly given way to days that I can't get enough of. Whereas time seemed to stand still those first few months, it's truly flying now. Sometimes I have this silly image of reaching out to grab it, to slow it down, make it stop. Like if I could just grab hold somehow these days would last forever. And like wind it just wisps right through my fingers. This little boy is such an incredible gift. Not a day goes by that I don't dwell on that in some form. And since I know he can't stay little forever, I'm doing my best to soak up these moments. Even the hard ones.

Wesley, you blesses us daily, more than I could ever describe in words.  I am humbled and honored to be your mommy. What a beautiful year of your life!

Thank you, Lord, for giving us Wes!