eight months old

My boy is slowly inching his way away from being a tiny baby. This month he started doing the worm.  He has started eating two meals a day. I've been keeping him on a nap schedule. We put him to bed around 9, instead of letting him sleep on our chest until we head to bed. I'm mourning the changes, simply because I loved having those sweet moments with Graham and because it means he's not so little anymore.

This age is my favorite! Still sort of stationary, but so incredibly happy and giggly and fun. He loves to cuddle and will still fall asleep on me if he's tired enough. I'm soaking it in before he gets too busy and wants to be down all the time. He is still just the happiest, sweetest, most content baby. He is such a blessing! Happy 8 months little love!

one hundred twenty four

124. That's the number of miles my husband has driven to work daily for the last 7 years. It's over 2 hours in the car every day. It's over $20k in turnpike tolls (I wish I was kidding). It's over 200,000 miles on his car. Added up- it's something crazy like 2 entire weeks of driving. I'm tired looking at that and I didn't even do all that driving. Talk about perseverance.

This morning, Aaron left our house to head to Bristol for the last time. He starts a new job on Monday. It's 14 miles from our house. I will get back 2 hours a day with my husband. My kids will get 10 hours more a week with Aaron that they didn't have before. A big part of his decision to take this new job was the time we would get back as a family.

I am so thankful for this man. For the hours upon hours that he drove to work to provide for our family. For the nights that he got home just in time to put Everett to bed. For the construction, traffic, and crazy drivers he had to deal with. For the things he missed and wanted to be at.

Aaron- you are the best man I know. I am overwhelmed by your selflessness and dedication. I am so excited for your new job and all the adventures we will have because you chose us, your family first. Words can't describe how grateful I am for you and how incredibly proud and blessed I am to be your wife.

seven months

highlights:

a trip to the beach

first easter

a second tooth

lots of tummy time

discovering his voice

eating avocados, bananas, and sweet potatoes

jury is still out on eye color. I'm hoping he keeps his baby blues

cheeks and eyelashes for the win

favorite new face

Everett's aquarium adventure

Mimi and Pop

those hippos are crazy

best seat in the house

like father

like son

I'm pretty sure there's no cooler place for a three year old... or a 29 year old for that matter. It was a perfect birthday present and an awesome day together as a family. I love watching him discover stuff and ask questions and I especially love going on adventures with him!

happy half birthday

It's hard to believe that it's been six months already, but the proof is in the pudding. You are definitely growing and changing. I love it, but feel like it's going so fast this time around.

If I could sum you up in one word it would be happy. All the time with the smiles. You've got this adorable little dimple and just this month your first little tooth. Every time anyone even looks at you, you flash this sweet smile. It is so darn cute. I wish I could bottle up these days and your sweetness.

The other word to describe you is laid back. You are so calm and relaxed. You just seem to go with the flow. Nothing seems to bother you (unless it involves me not feeding you). You put up with all kinds of love from your brother and still think he's the most hilarious person of all time. 

The past six months have been an absolute gift. I am so smitten with you. 

happy half birthday my littlest love.

an interview with Everett

three whole years

Everett-
I am so thankful to be your mama. You teach me how to love better, see the little stuff, laugh a lot, pause for a good back scratch, sing Jesus loves me 87 times a day, have dance parties, use my imagination, practice my patience, and how to find favorite things every day. This year has brought new adventures and your "baby brother Graham buddy" to join us in those adventures. You are wild and crazy and smart and just so full of life. I wouldn't have it any other way. Being your mama is such an unbelievable, incredible gift.

Words can't express how much I love you little boy and just how very proud of you I am.
Happy (third) birthday.

xoxo- Mama

retiring the sign

This has been hanging on the wall in my dining room for the last year:

I made the sign almost exactly a year ago to tell everyone that we were expecting another Windle baby. I took a million pictures of Everett with the sign until I got the two I wanted for our announcement. 

After that, I hung it in our dining room because I just loved it. It was such a sweet reminder (along with my growing belly) of the new life on its way. 

After Graham was born, I just couldn't seem to erase it. Not sure why; however, today I finally need the chalkboard for Everett's upcoming birthday. I took a few last pictures of my baby #2 holding the sign. It's funny to think about all of the unknowns of a year ago --- and now today knowing all of the sweetness and certainty of our lives with Graham.

 I'll miss seeing that sweet sign on our dining room wall. 

the small things

I think in life and relationships it's easy to see the big stuff and easy to forget the small things. So often, I take for granted the small stuff. And lately, I've been really thinking about my husband and all the little stuff that he does that adds up to big stuff for me. 

-the way he makes coffee for me, every morning, even if he's not going to drink it

-the way he takes the dogs out before he leaves for work so that I don't have to

-the way he puts my phone on my nightstand because he knows I like to know the time when I get up

-the way he saves me the good creamer if there's not much left, because he knows I don't like milk in my coffee

-the way he changes Graham's diaper and gets Everett to the bathroom if they wake up before he leaves

-the way he gets dressed downstairs so that he doesn't wake me up shuffling around to get dressed

All these things happen before 7 am every single day.

Aaron,

I so appreciate you and all of the countless small things that you do daily that add up to one big awesome life together. You are the best husband and friend I could have ever asked for.

always, 

me

five months

month five highlights:

finding his feet
becoming a pro at rolling
laughing at his big brother (a lot!)
trying oatmeal for the first time
grabbing at everything
a visit from Mimi and Pop-pop

not impressed

favorite moment:

We were sitting around the dinner table and I had my eyes closed while Aaron was praying. I heard Graham laughing and looked up to see them (Everett and Graham) smiling and laughing at each other across the table. I'm sure it won't be the last time.

It's been another month of loving you sweet boy. Every time I look at you you are smiling or laughing.  You are so easy to love my Graham man!