It's Birthday Week!

Jackson turns three this week. Three. Three hurts my heart a little bit more than one and two did. I know it is only going to get harder every year. You think the time can't go any faster than it is, and suddenly the are all little boy and nearly every bit of baby you remember seeing in their face just a short time ago is gone. This sweet boy has become so full of life and personality. He loves to pretend to be a dinosaur, loves minions more than anything else, and loves to make play pretend and make believe.

When I saw this book, I knew immediately that I needed it for Jackson to celebrate his special day this year. We already have a personalized name book for Lincoln, and with Jackson's birthday right around the corner it was the perfect opportunity to treat him to a new story made just for him.

In this book, a little boy loses his birthday, and goes on a journey to get it back, all the while learning about the days and months that go into each year. The customized details are so precious, I teared up when I first read it. From finding the numbers that create your child's birth year, to using 'King August' to help him find his birthday, every page of this book was made exactly for Jackson. He loves it!

Can we just talk about his stare for a minute? Those dark eyes and innocent little expression  are just about more than I can handle. He is growing up before our eyes, yet he really is still so little. Now if only I could keep him that way. I do know that we have found a precious keepsake in this book; I am already looking forward to reading it with him every year for his birthday. It's one of those little treasures that I am so happy to have!

*I received this book from Wonderbly in exchange for an honest review. I only endorse products and brands that I myself would personally purchase. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Stang&Co!

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Dear Lincoln

My sweet baby boy,


You are one. I can barely believe the words as I type them. This has, without a doubt, been the fastest year of my life, and it seems unfair that your first year passed by in the blink of an eye. And while it has gone by so quickly, I already feel like I cannot remember your newborn days. Sometimes that is a blessing, because those first few months were hard. You, my sweet boy, were not exactly an easy baby to deal with. You cried a lot. you never wanted to be put down, and yet you also never wanted to be held. There were few moments when you were content. In the thick of it, I sometimes thought we would never get to better days. And then, magically, one day I was able to hold you, and you relaxed into my body, and finally I was able to truly start cuddling you, snuggling you, and getting to know you. I haven't looked back since.
You are so sweet that it almost hurts. Your daddy calls you 'cheeser', and with good reason. Ever since you started crawling, it is a common sight to see you coming at us with the biggest cheese face we have ever seen, so proud of whatever trouble you are undoubtedly getting into. And speaking of trouble, my goodness, I do not even know where to begin. You are my sweet little man, but my gosh do you know how to get into things! You love phone chargers, wall outlets, knocking over furniture, and chasing the vacuum. You have absolutely no fear, but also get pretty darn angry when your plans don't go according to plan and it results in you taking a tumble. You are 100% our wild child, and while you are the cause of a gray hair or two, I love your fierce independence and desire to explore.

You also are very aware of your voice and how to use it. While we rarely heard your brother cry or scream, we became very familiar and conditioned to your cries and screams from early on. You used your screams to communicate any frustrations, and we learned to know when they meant you needed something, and when you were simply working through something. You may be our second child, but you have ended up being an entirely new, and very big, learning experience for me and your daddy. You are such proof that every child is so unique and different, and it has been such a joy to watch you make sure to remind us of that every single day for the past year.

Your strawberry blonde hair, blue eyes, and dimples are something I will always be amazed by. You are so beautiful, the picture perfect baby, the blonde haired blue eyed child I never imagined I would have. I constantly look at you, amazed that you are mine. Being your mommy is one of my greatest blessings. I watch you alongside your brother, cut from the same cloth and yet so vastly different, and swell with emotion. You love each other so much, but also push each other's buttons, as I imagine any set of rough and tough brothers would. You love to follow him around, and are overcome with glee when he takes down the baby gate, encouraging you to follow him upstairs when he knows mom isn't looking. This week, the three of us were cuddled in bed in the early morning, and Jackson was on a mission to give you the biggest kiss, giggling the entire time. You, of course, were more focused on eating, but your love for each other is something I pray continues throughout your entire life. You two are going to get into lots of trouble together, but you are also going to have so much fun.

I want to remember every last detail about you at this age. You are curious and into everything, yet you are still so sweet and innocent. Those little dimples on your fingers, and those baby rolls on your wrists. I love the way you babble when I feed you before bedtime, and the way you breathing turns over as you drift off to sleep. You adore putting on your 'snuggy' before bed, and love to cuddle under your blanket as we settle in for an episode of Mickey Mouse. You are beginning to shake your head no, and can also point at things you are intrigued by, and it is the cutest thing ever. And, I am going to go ahead and say that your first word (said with intent) was definitely mama. You usually say it when you are sleepy or want to be picked up, but nothing makes me happier than hearing you say that sweet word. You are stubborn and have little desire to start walking, and yet I know that once you do, we won't be able to keep up. We are in no rush; you stay little as long as you would like.

There are no words to describe my love for you, Lincoln. You have taught me so much, and are an absolute joy to be around. Now please, stop growing up, just a little bit. Although I know the years are going to continue going faster and faster. You are my baby, and I love you from the bottom of my heart.


Happy birthday baby boy!


Love,


Mom

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Lincoln: One Year Photos

 I don't know if one could look any cuter. This little boy is our wild one, and I figured there is no more perfect theme to suit us celebrating his first birthday. These pictures are such a perfect example of who he is at this exact stage; a little bit sassy, not one bit inclined to pose for the camera, but so darn sweet.

 

"I'll eat you up, I love you so."

Teepee // Hobby Lobby

Wild One Tee // c/o Here We Go Hunter

Crown // DIY

ONE Banner // DIY

Leaf Garland // Target Dollar Spot

Chambray Top // Old Navy

Tulle Skirt // HM (sold out online)

Baby Button Up // Gap Factory

Moccs // c/o Freshly Picked

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