grateful {remix}

dear Charlie,

Exactly one year ago today, I wrote this little letter to you. I didn't really know anything about you {besides the fact that you liked to kick me in the ribs}. We weren't even sure what your name was going to be. I wrote last year's Thanksgiving-eve blog post sitting on a bed in your grandparent's house, because our own house wasn't quite finished.

Now, a year later, here you are. And life is unbelievably, incredibly different with you around.

Last year, I went to bed knowing that I'd wake up when I wanted to. This year, your daddy rocked you to sleep while I ran out for some last-minute groceries, and tomorrow morning, I'll be waking up to your little voice, singing {er, yelling?} from down the hall.

Last year, I had an outfit planned for Thanksgiving dinner. This year, I have your outfit planned for Thanksgiving dinner {and haven't given a single thought to what I'll be wearing}.

Last year, I didn't have a kitchen. This year, not only do I have a kitchen, but I'm baking two apple pies and a pumpkin cheesecake in it. {YUM!!!!}

Last year, you were rolling around inside me. This year, you're crawling, and standing, and wishing you could walk. You're waddling, and climbing, and scooting. You're yodeling, and yelling, and--yep, just like I thought--gurgling.

Last year, I thought I knew what we were getting ourselves into with this whole "baby thing." This year, I know full well that one year ago today, I had no clue what we were in for.

Last year, silly cars were the last thing on my mind. This year, we're actually looking for another silly car. Imagine that.

I've got my own predictions for what next year might look like. But this year, I'm keeping them locked inside my head. Because for now, I'm content with the incredible, unbelievable blessings that God has showered on us, over and over again. I spend much too much time looking at what I don't have.

Right now, I'm so. very. thankful. for the things I do have.

This year, you sat on your daddy's shoulders, and looked down at me, and I snorted like a piggy, and daddy looked at me like I was crazy,

and you laughed, and laughed, and laughed.

And my heart burst with happiness. For the billionth time...

i love you.

p.s. happy first Thanksgiving. you can have as much turkey as you want, but forget about the cheesecake.

giving up on perfect.

Well, I just wrote a big long post, bemoaning my inconsistencies as a blogger. And then I re-read it, thought it sounded pathetic, and deleted it. I'm over it :)

I've got some plans for this little blog. Nothing crazy or earth-shattering. Just a few ideas for some more, er, consistency over here.

But not just yet. First, we're off on a trip to Minnesota to visit my little sister and her husband {remember the trip I took last year, with Mr. Charles on the inside? One year later, he's out and about... and we're embarking on a 6-hour car ride with a crawling machine who doesn't like being cooped up. this should be interesting.}

I'll let you know how it goes :)

{p.s. this photo is unedited, because my computer is running slow, and I have lots to do. hence, the title of this post.}

Cayden : two (TWO!!) years

Allow me to introduce you to the photo shoot that almost killed me...

Remember this little cutie from last September? Well, let me tell you something. Mr. Cayden is still absolutely adorable... but who knew that two-year-olds could run so fast? Cayden was everywhere, all at once, a total crazy whirlwind of little-guy-energy packed into one tiny body!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{And I, totally not thinking, wore flip flops to the shoot...}

Cayden's mommy {hi Lauren!} and I ran all over the park for an hour, just trying to keep up with him. At one point, Lauren, being the smarter, more experienced mom than I, put Cayden in the swing {which is where we got some of my favorite shots of the day}... that gave us a twenty-second breather... and then he was out, and off again.

We ran, and ran, and ran.

I get tired, just thinking about it.

Also, at one point, he figured out that this crazy, sweating lady with the camera was following him everywhere, trying to get him to smile.

He decided, "Me no likey," and gave me this look:

Hilarious!

But really... Cayden is a sweetie-pa-teetie! One big grin, and he's on your good side for life ;) I'm so thankful I got to do this shoot {and not just because I got my exercise quota in for the week}! Cayden comes from the very sweetest family ever, and I'm blessed to call them my friends :)


Click here for the slideshow!!!

{Also, some of my more astute readers might note that I have an up-and-coming two year old on the way... planning on getting started on my calisthenics early.}