King of the Castle!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Happy GOLDEN Birthday!!!!!

Happy 4th Birthday, sweet J Man!!!!

Today we celebrate you. Your entrance into this world. A day that changed my life forever. Since the second I knew you existed, I loved you with every ounce of my being. That love has continued to grow as the years have passed. I am having a hard time digesting that it was 4 years ago when I first met you. When you first looked into my eyes almost immediately after you entered the world. When you snuggled onto my chest for the first time and made those amazing baby noises. When I smelled your sweet baby scent. When your ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes became the most fascinating thing I had ever seen. When my heart felt things I never even knew existed. When I was your sole form of nourishment. When all you knew was the love and comfort of my arms. When my life became so much more.

You came into this world with your fists up and I now know that was a good indication of the spirited personality you would develop. You are an emotional and strong-willed child. These traits mixed with a great deal of stubbornness have made this past year a tad bit difficult! But, you are also one of the sweetest, kindest, most loving boys I have ever met. You have a heart of gold. You love your family and life so much – it is endearing and infectious. You are always giving hugs and kisses. You tell people you love them at any opportunity. You can make friends with ANYONE!! You constantly tell me I look beautiful or that you love something about me (my outfit, my hair, my makeup, etc.!). You love with your whole heart and I am thankful for that. All of these are characteristics I wish for you as you grow older. My goal has always been to raise a kind, generous, hard-working, fun-loving boy. And, then to guide him to being the very same kind of young man and then adult. I see it happening and pray that it continues as you grow.

This past year was full of amazing (and exhausting!) memories. You made me laugh until I cried, held my hand and my heart, continued to let me sing “the sunshine song” and snuggle with you in your bed as you fell asleep, learned the importance of loving and taking care of your sister and reminded me that life is for living and loving. To find joy in the small things. I also witnessed some of the most unbelievable meltdowns and tantrums I have ever seen! You definitely became quite expressive and vocal about your feelings and opinions. You are a negotiator and a stubborn little being! But, that is what makes you special. That’s what makes you my Jameson. And, I know this is what will help make you a strong, independent and gracious man as you grow.

You are extraordinary. You are inquisitive. You are so intelligent. You are kind. You are sweet. You are compassionate. You are hilarious. You are handsome. You are simply amazing. My heart melts when I watch you do the things you love or do something new, when you hug and kiss your sister, smile and say hello to a stranger, talk about your school friends, tell me stories before bed or tell me you love me to the moon and back.

It is my honor to be your mom. I am thankful each and every day that you are my son.

Love,
Mommy (or Mother as you were calling me last night since apparently that's what big kids do!)

You may be growing up, but you will always be my baby boy!

Coolest kid, ever!

Love you.

Best big brother, ever!

Cutie pie!

Such a good helper! You love to help Kyle sweep after a hair cut!

You are my favorite Target shopping buddy...and, you love being there!

I hope you smile this big throughout your whole life!!

Handsome boy.

You love giving kisses!

My precious, precious babies!

You and Daddy are two peas in a pod.

I still see traces of Baby J from this angle.

Pure joy.

You two are just the best.

She loves you so much.

Definitely a sweet little baby face when you sleep.

Perfection.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

1st Day of School!

You were not real thrilled about going back to school this year, which is crazy because you were so sad when it ended last year. But, I guess you probably got used to summer and being "free." So, to say I was a little nervous is a bit of an understatement. You didn't even want to go to the Orientation until we told you we would be with you. You've been a little clingy with me - we had to quit gymnastics a little earlier than expected this summer because you wanted nothing to do with going by yourself and we weren't going to force you. So, I knew this may be tough...

I was right. The first day drop off was "not very good" (as you would say!). You were attached to my leg. And, when I sat you down with the other kids, you lost it. I stayed and hugged you a few more times, but knew that wasn't going to help anything, so I slowly walked out. Then you REALLY lost it. I waited outside in the hallway for a while...apparently I enjoy getting tortured because hearing you scream for me and me not being able to go get you was pure torture. But, I knew going back in there would only make it worse, so I just listened for a bit. I just felt like I couldn't leave until I knew you had calmed down. There were a handful of other kids crying, but eventually everyone started to calm down. I left at that point. Got in my car and started sobbing. I knew you would be fine, but I hate when you are sad. Sad because I left you. You know that I will ALWAYS come back, but it's still hard.

The hours couldn't pass fast enough while you were at school. Gwendolyn kept me busy, but I was really missing you. I left about 20 minutes early just so I knew I would be there when that door opened. You came running out with a huge smile on your face, so I knew that everything must have gone very well. You just needed to get used to it. I know we probably will have a rough month or so of adjusting, but I bet you'll be back to loving it in no time!!

Oh, and the bribing of getting cookies and a movie from Target didn't hurt either :). That was one of the first things you said when you came out of the classroom. So, we went to Target and picked out a Lego Superhero movie. You also said you wanted to get a Frozen book because you had a dream that you got one. I thought that was pretty clever, so I obliged. But, we found a Teeange Mutant Ninja Turtle busy book instead. And, then went to Grove St. Bakery and got cookies.

We also had plenty of cuddles that afternoon while Gwendolyn napped. Wanted to make up for the time you were at school! And, to make sure you knew just how much I loved you and how I would always be there.