forth of july pictures & alotta lovin!

what would you do if i told ya that i la-la-la-la-love you!
i had a great 4th of July. It was good just to unwind with family without a congestion of kids running around. there wasn't any fireworks or any firecracker.
we had a barbeque and played games outside on the back patio at my maw maw's house - which is my mother's mom. laken showed up for the festivities dressed to the nines.

today is my first 4th of july, and tomorrow is my first 5th of july.. what's the big deal?!



uncle mar-mar. my brother marty.


my maw maw. last night when i woke up for a feeding i stayed up just in love with laken and everything about him... i wrote this on an iphone note.

I can't describe how much I love my little guy. I love that I have the ability to hear the tiniest noises to wake up in the middle of the night to feed. I love that when I pick him up from his crib at 5 am that his hair is still combed and looks exceptionally handsome. I love when he is hanging out with someone else his eyes follow me when they find me. I love when he sits "still" and let's me read to him. I love when he wakes up and I unswaddle him he stretches these big "I'm growing" stretches. I love when he and I have conversations consisting of coo's and ahh's. I love that he let's me sit him up, dress him up, and stick a huge lens in front of his face. I love that my little 2 month old likes to sit on my hip and look out into the "world." I love that he makes spit up look like the latest fashion trend. And what I love the most of all is that when I look into his eyes.. I know and feel how much this little baby, who doesn't have the ability of speaking or any concrete thoughts, loves me back.

:)

dear laken

dear little baby laken,
you are growing up to be such a handsome little guy. and i thought you were cute right outta the oven.. who'd a thought you'd be THIS cute.
you are a little firecracker. i love waking up to your face. well, sometimes i think... come on laken... sleep just an hour longer! but then i look at your little baby blues and your ear to ear smile and i join along with you in your stretching! you're a fighter little guy, just like your momma. however, you like to fight the wrong things... your sleep and your bottle when its in your mouth... then you get mad because you want the bottle or you want the sleep. and i know when you're older you're gonna wish that you took better naps. i promise.
you eat like a monster, sometimes you eat too much and then we both get to wear it. you just fuss too much until you get a bottle (it is sometimes the only thing that will soothe you - chunk butt). oh boy, you little piece of work. i love ya anyway!
you're not quiet wearing 0-3 month clothes and you hardly fit in newborns anymore... i wish that hanging around in diapers was acceptable, but when you are in diapers i feel like the bad guy when i am patting your back.
when you're in other peoples arms you're always looking for me. like you think i'm the prettiest girl in the world... even when i'm greasy looking like a potato chip. thanks for that, but you'll soon see that these people that have you in their arms are pretty good looking too!
thank you for sleeping throughout the night and being the best part of my day. love you little guy to two infinity and beyond!

love,
mommy.

dear laken

dear baby boy laken...
you're the best decision i have ever made. i honestly believe you were my little gift from god. i've only seen your face a couple times on a computer screen. your little yawns are my favorite memories of you so far. i can't wait to kiss your little button nose and nibble on your little tiny toes. you have made me become a women that i was no where near becoming. you've moved me and pushed me before i ever even felt you move or push inside me! you will never know how much i already love you before i have ever seen you. i just hope that i can give you everything that you desire in life, and if i can't... i am going to try or root you on while you go seek after it. i just want you to know, and this will not be a secret - it will be quiet apparent, you may not have a "normal" family unit, but let me tell you... you've got the people that support me and that is better than the "typical." you have been blessed by so many, and you will continue to be. i can't wait for you to meet everyone... i can't wait for everyone to meet you. most of all... i can't wait to know your favorite foods, your favorite activities, the clothes you pick out for yourself, the music you will listen to, what you'll believe in, the way you handle your anger, if my hugs and kisses will heal your wounds. baby boy... i can't wait to know the you-est you you will be.
i love you to heaven and back.

love,
mom