12 Month Update

12 MONTHS

I can't even believe I'm already writing this.

How has my sweet little baby.....

become the sweetest, funniest, full of life little toddler?

I mean...all the feelings.

Where do I begin? How do I try to wrap up my feelings to you in words? How many times can I tell you I love you and still feel like it's not enough?

Let's start with the basics :)

Eat:

You eat like SUCH a boy {see photo above of you shoveling shredded cheese in your mouth :)}.  You love all food...seriously! All food.  You have gotten a little picky in that if we give you something but you see something better on our plates, you throw (yes, throw!) your food off your high chair in demand for some of ours.  We are working on the not throwing food thing, and you have started to listen and understand what mommy says "put it in your mouth" :)  You will try anything new and always love it, and I hope that it continues! Your mommy & daddy love trying new food, so thank you for being such a great eater!

You have your 2 bottom teeth, your 2 front teeth (one is bigger than the other since it broke through earlier than the other one) and then you have about 3 or 4 other top teeth that have broken through and are growing daily!

Sleep:

Let me say this baby...you are a rock star sleeper.  I couldn't be more happy with the way you sleep. The first 6 months of your life, you were up every 3-4 hours...but I'll take that for a baby who sleeps like you have since about 6-7 months of your life! You continue to sleep about 12 hours at night and then you take a morning nap thats around 1 1/2 - 2 hrs, and then an afternoon nap that's around 2 hours.  You do really well if you have to miss your morning nap and usually cash out for a good 3 hours in the afternoon then.  I don't even have to rock you (you're not a big cuddler, *tear*), I just put you in your sleep sack & put you down & you put yourself right to sleep.  Although some days I wish you would snuggle with me, it makes it really easy on us both that you put yourself right to sleep.  

I won't tell you how much your daddy & I watch you sleep.  It's just the sweetest thing.  When you wake up from your naps or even in the AM, you wake up and play with the animals in your bed, and then when we come in, you get the BIGGEST smile on your face.  I'm a puddle.  Thank you sweet boy, for taking notes from mommy & being an awesome sleeper.

Personality:

Where do I even begin to describe your personality? You are FULL of it.  You are the center of attention and you love it.  You do something to make someone laugh and when they do, you are convinced you're hilarious and will repeat that same thing over & over again.  You'll go back and forth with silly faces and noises with anyone who will play.  When we are in the store (Target mostly...), you wave & say hi to everyone, you blabber to anyone who will listen, and giggle and flirt with whoever is behind us in the checkout lane.  You are such a trooper when we run errands and being in and out of your carseat, stroller, shopping carts, etc.  As long as mommy has a few snacks, you are good to go.  You aren't shy in the least bit, but you can get overwhelmed if there are lots of things going on.  You love your cousins and any other kids/babies that will play with you.

The tantrums have started some in the past few weeks...You did this:

So, in fear of you opening the oven + cracking the back of your head on our tile...I told you no. Then you did this:

...but you were back to your normal self rather quickly ;) oh how I love you so.

quick story that sums up your personality: We were at Outback for dinner and you were fussy at the end of the meal.  I decided to take you for a walk while daddy paid.  I let you walk and I followed behind you as you made your way up the waiting area.  As you walked, people looked at you and say hi and you looked, smiled & waved.  We got to the waiting area and you walked up to a gentleman about 50-60 years old who was sitting down.  You put both of your hands on his knees and looked up at him and smiled.  I told the guy, I'm so sorry! He has no stranger danger and isn't shy at all.  The guy laughed, let you give him a high five and said "hey little buddy". I just can't believe how outgoing you are and the way you make even strangers smile and laugh.  It's just you :)

A note from your daddy & then a note from me:

Jacoby,

Happy 1^st birthday little boy! I absolutely just can’t believe how fast this year has gone. Seems like just yesterday I was holding you against my chest in the hospital helping to raise your body temperature.  

From the moment I saw you, I knew I would never stop loving you.  And sometimes in the first couple months, you tried to test that . It wasn’t always easy hearing you cry at night or seeing Mommy be so tired from getting up to feed you at all hours of the night.  But, we made it through that just fine.

Mommy and I had no idea what to expect from you. Before you were born, we used to wonder about what you would be like and what you would look like.  I’ll just tell you that we never imagined that you could be so cute and so lovable. You’ve blown all our expectations away.  Your little personality has developed and you are the sweetest, funniest little boy that I have ever met.  

You just started walking a month ago, and the first time that I came home from work and you walked into my arms was one of the best moments of my life. Those kinds of moments are the kind that I will cherish forever. I told your Mommy the other day that I hope that heaven has a big video library for me so that I can go back and watch my favorite memories of you.

I’ve been kind of sad the last couple of days thinking about you getting older. And I know that it’s dumb because you are only 1. But I have enjoyed being your Daddy so much.  It has been one of the very best things I have ever done in my whole life. And I really, really mean that.  The best part of every single one of my days is coming home from work to be with you and Mommy.  When I am feeling down, you can cheer me up in an instant. Your little smile and giggle are the greatest thing that I can see or hear.

I am so proud of you, even though you are so young.  I have seen you bring so much joy into the world so far, and I hope that you keep that part of you as you grow up.  Even though thinking of you growing up is sad, I still look forward to the future with you. You’ve already started kicking a soccer ball, and I can’t wait to teach you more and share that with you.

Jacoby Andrew, I could go on and on (you probably think I already have), but I just want you to know how much I love you. There are tears in my eyes just thinking about it. I am going to be there for you forever.  You are my greatest accomplishment and I never want you to forget that. I am going to miss the first year of your life, and look back on it with only the greatest memories. But I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for you.  

I love you forever little boy,

Daddy

To my sweetest Jacoby Andrew,

I keep thinking about this is exact time one year ago.  I was in the middle of the most pain in my life + yet it is one of my favorite memories.  I remember thinking in my head "he's finally going to be here". The anticipation had grown so much and I was SO ready to meet you.  I had no idea what to expect, but let me tell you that you have exceeded my expectations by so much. You have given me the greatest gift of being a momma.  You made me a momma first, and for that I'm so thankful to you.  Thanks for giving me the best year of my life.  Thanks for teaching me patience, joy, determination, and the deepest kind of love I've known.  

This year with you has been the BEST ride of my life, and I can't wait for it to keep going! It's so bittersweet knowing you're one.  The little baby we so cautiously brought home from the hospital has become the most outgoing, fun-loving & joy-filled toddler.  You have brought so much happiness to your daddy & I.  

You got me right

You got me right from the start

and I will fight.

I will fight for your heart.

{"The Weight" by Seth Abram}

There's not much more that describes it.  You got me from the minute I met you (really truly, from the moment I heard your heartbeat).  I am yours forever, little one.  I promise to fight for you, when life gets tough.  I promise to be here to listen when you just need to vent.  I promise to encourage you, push you, listen to you, and love you harder than any other.  You got me right from the moment I met you, and I will forever fight for you.  Know that in me, you have a mother but you also have your biggest fan and the one that will never ever stop loving you. 

I love you forever Coby Drew,

Mommy

To Nate, the best teammate in this crazy parenting thing + in life, thank you for all you do. One year down...we made it love :)

Photo by Kelli Rasler Photography

xox,

Naomi