Big Boy!

A signature sleep pose ...

... along with this one on occasion.

The beginning of the "faces"...

...still going!

 

A new family...

 

...a year later!

 

Boy, how time has flown and changed!
What a big boy the Cub is! He's now one!

Letter to Cub...

Dear Cub,

As I sit here and type this letter to you, I am getting all choked up and tears are welling up in my eyes. It is so hard for me to believe that a year ago tomorrow at 7:15pm, you entered the world and forever changed our lives. So many emotions happen when a baby arrives, but especially one as special as you. I have always been a planner and had planned everything out for your arrival. Little did I know that you were going to wreak havoc on my plans and forever change my life.

You were due to arrive on November 3rd and your Auntie Lena was keeping her fingers crossed that you were going to arrive on her birthday. I was PLANNING on working until October 24th and then have a week or so before you arrived... But nope. You were already in the womb, working your way out and throwing a monkey wrench in my plans. Two weeks early, you arrived. Six pounds, 13 ounces and 19 1/4 inches long. Here you were:

Nothing can ever explain the emotions and feelings of your arrival and all that followed. Most of it was a blur and as I try to look back and remember it's just so hard. We have a kajillion pictures of you from when you arrived all the way up to this point. Trying to remember holding you as a little Cub and how sweet you were, so new to the world. I am in awe of how much you've grown, how much you've learned and how much life has changed for the better with you in it.

It's no secret that I've struggled to adjust with the changes that came with you in our life but with each passing day, I am more grateful that you're here. My heart seems to overflow and burst with love for you so much. No matter how tough a day I'm having, I can't wait to get home and squeeze you and feel like the world has been righted for me because you're there.

At ONE YEAR, you've done so much. You're walking and starting to talk (Mamma, Mum, DaDa, Duh (dog), Hi, Hey). You make Mamma's scrunchie face. You clap, laugh, giggle, love to be thrown up in the air. With only 4 teeth, you munch on food like there's no tomorrow, especially anything that Grandma makes for you. :)


You love the water and you're learning to swim.

You're learning new things at the Little Gym every week We'll get you flexible like a bendy straw soon enough! You're already into cars and make the 'car noise' whenever you're pushing something.

You help me out by pushing the laundry basket and closing the dryer door. You help Daddy do the dishes (more like unload the dishes). You dance to music and shake the maracas or anything else that makes noise. You've learned to blow a whistle, hum the kazoo and bang on the drums (tell me you aren't a musician in the making!).

You've gone on your first plane ride, vacationed in Sedona, Arizona, saw the Grand Canyon and went on an off-road Hummer Tour.

 You've gone to your first Rivercats baseball game, your first Kings basketball game.

You have many friends and girlfriends (better watch out for those Daddies) and you are LOVED. There really are no words to describe the well of emotions that you bring to me, but you should always know that you are our precious Cub and you mean the world to us.

Happy Birthday my Son. I love you.

Cloth Diaper Swap!

WARNING: This post is full of shameless plugs.

First, I would like to say THANK YOU to Megan over at Newlywed, Newlybred for hosting such an awesome, fun event! If you're reading this and wondering (what the heck?), you can read all about it on her page about the Cloth Diaper Swap.

AND if you don't follow Megan, you SHOULD. She finds the most... umm... shall I say... INTERESTING things to blog about and is funny as all get out. I almost die laughing when reading her posts. Check out her blog by clicking her button below!

Now that we got that out of the way, I have to say how much FUN this was for me to not only GET my fluffy mail package but also to shop and GIVE fluffy mail.

I received an awesome package from Renee of Monkeysnuggles. I was sooo excited because I absolutely ADORE her diapers! Renee sent me one of the Safari print fitted diapers I was coveting with a matching tee shirt for the Cub! What do you think?

ADORABLE, RIGHT???

Here's a close-up of the print:

 I have to RAVE a little bit about Renee and her diapers. I only have one other fitted diaper in an awesome print and it has been one of my FAVORITE diapers. She does quality work and the diaper fits well and is oh so squishy soft and absorbent. If I could, I'd buy more of them! If you want to see her awesome work, check out her shop on Etsy.

As for the rest of the goodies received for this swap, check out this link over at Newlywed, Newlybred!

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you Megan for hosting! I know I had a good time & I sure hope you enjoy your Hostess with the Mostess package!!! :)

Edited to add action shots (10/30/09):

How happy is he in his new diaper and matching tee?

Starting him early...?

Maybe just a little too early? Pappa Bear absolutely LOVES Starbuck's. So much so that I know getting him one almost always cheers him up. So now I guess he's got the Cub on it. (What do they put in those drinks???) Here's Cub NOT sharing his Starbuck's with DaDa. :)