HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY MINI MAN

1 year!  ONE YEAR!  There is just NO way that my Little Way is 1 year old today! It just blows my mind.  My baby, my Mini Man is now 1. 
A year ago today, I woke up to contractions at 6:30 and we were blessed beyond imaginable at exactly 3:30pm with a perfect baby boy.  It truly was love at first sight. 

Our world changed in just one second and my heart could never had been prepared for the amount of love I felt in that instant.  Waylon Lawrence Pearce immediately became our everything.  Since that moment, our lives have revolved around him each and every second.  Everything we do and every decision we make is ALL about what is best for our Mini Man...and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Being a parent is far beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of.  I still cannot believe that the Lord entrusted us with such a perfect blessing to raise and love and learn from.  And while Waylon is truly our Ginny Pig Baby....and we are far from perfect parents, I think we are doing good at the most important facts of all.  Waylon is Happy, Healthy, and I am pretty sure he knows he is so so so so so so loved!

Today, I wish I could say I am just so thrilled to see my BABY boy turn 1, but it is of course bittersweet!  It is a clear reminder that my ever changing and growing baby will eventually be an adult all in himself.  But, no matter how old he gets and how much bigger than me he gets...he WILL ALWAYS BE MY MINI MAN!

Happy 1st birthday Mini Man!  We are spending today (not writing a blog) as a family watching Toy Story 2

 and visiting the animals at the zoo!  Waylon, your Daddy and I are so excited to spend your special day with you!  Thank you for all the love you have brought to our home and the extreme amount of joy your have brought to our lives.  YOU ARE OUR BIGGEST BLESSING FROM GOD EVER!!  We love you!

THE MINI MAN IS 11 MONTHS

11 months!  WOW!  A year ago, we were preparing for the biggest change in our lives to arrive.  I felt huge, miserable, and ready.  We couldn't wait for you to get here.  Now, in a way, it seems like you have always been here. We couldn't imagine a single day, moment, or second with out you being a part of it.  You are our EVERYTHING!  Our days and lives revolve around you and your needs.  We want you to be happy and healthy....and...we think you are!

Some fast stats on our Mini Man...
26 pounds and 31.5 inches tall
Size 4 or 5 shoes and Size 5 Diapers
18-24 Months clothes
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT

Walking Waylon....YOU ARE EVERYWHERE!  You take a few steps in between mommy and daddy and all across the furniture.  You are not quite just walking across the living room....but you are VERY close!

Favorites...
I am pretty sure your favorite colors are yellow and green....you ALWAYS pick these colors over others..
Your a dancing machine!  You love to dance to everything.

You shake your head yes, yes, yes, yes, yes or no, no, no, no, no.

You wave hello and goodbye, throw your hands up for a touchdown, clap on command, and point at what you want.

You know where your hair, teeth, toes, legs, and pee pee are! 

You also now recognize people, our fake doggy, your ball, book, sippy cup, shoes, and many other things.

You ramble all the time and are extremely loud!

You love to snuggle and give kisses...but you WILL NOT kiss a boy...not even Daddy!

You are SO strong!  You push your car and everything else all around the house.

You hate getting your diaper changed or getting dressed.  This is pretty much the only time you ever cry.

You are now eating everything...even with only having two teeth still.  You are loving whole milk but still nurse off Mommy at night.  YOU LOVE CHEESE and would probably just eat cheese and drink milk all day if we let you.  You also like ritz crackers, goldfish, Cinnamon toast, squash, applesauce, carrots, soup and MEAT!!

You love to play with hangers and your bowls and bottles that are in your very own drawer in the kitchen.

Lately, we have been taking MANY trips to the park...you do love to be outside.

You went on your first trip to Disneyland. 

YOU LOVED EVERYTHING.  You just stared and took it all in.  You went on all the little kid rides, Pirates of the Caribbean, laughed at the scary parts of the Haunted Manson and then fell asleep on that ride too.  Your favorite seemed to be It's A Small World and Buzz Lightyear. 

Yes...Mommy and Grammy made you wear personalized clothes while we were there.  :) We did eat breakfast with the characters and Mini Man...you cried!  You liked the characters from a far but they seemed to scare you when they were close up!  That's ok Mini...we still think you are brave!  And of course....you were SOOO well behaved! 

OUR HOUSE IF FULL OF LAUGHTER!  You laugh all the time and you make us laugh constantly.  Words can not even come close to expressing how much love I have in my heart for you and how happy you make us.  I hope you NEVER question how much we love and adore you!  

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."

1 Samuel 1:27

LOVING EVERY MOMENT

Being a Mommy has taught me A TON!  I feel totally confident in saying that I have learned more in the past 10 and half months than ever before.  I have learned simple lessons like how to quickly change a diaper and how to be the ultimate multi-tasker.  I have learned what unconditional and true love really means (that what I call gladly waking up multiple times a night for someone and feeling so blessed while doing it) and how much your heart can ache when being separated from someone while working.  One of the biggest lesson I have learned by becoming a mother though, is definitely not something I could have read in a book and prepared for.  The most important lesson I have learned from Waylon, is to value every minute of every day.

So yes, this is a clique thing to say.  But, I will say that my time, is my most valuable asset.  It isn't because I am so important and have so many people wanting a piece of my time.  It is because...it is going by so fast and I have finally learned how to be living in the moment.  I have spent years of my life planning for tomorrow and just trying to rush through today but I can finally say that I am no longer doing this.  I am valuing the time that God has given me, each day, and learning and loving it in.  Of course, I am still excited about things in the future (like being in Disneyland in less than two weeks) but I am focusing on what is right in front of me and what I have now.

I will say that I have pretty much had to do this by force.  By having Waylon, my daily routine changed and my freedom went out the window.  Trust me, I am not complaining....I wouldn't have it any other way.  But...it did make me realize that in order to have time for everything and everyone in my life, I would have to not only plan but make it a point to do this.  The evenings aren't spent just snuggling with my hubby on the couch or running to a movie any time we please...there is bath time, and reading time and "walking training" time that now fills that time slot.  But, our solution...Hubby and I make it a point to go on one date a month, just the two of us around our anniversary date. 

It sounds silly...once a month...but some months this is a challenge.  Life gets hectic so we have to make a point to make it happen.  It is so awesome to be able to go out, hold hands, eat with out wiping Waylon's face and just focus on each other and catch up.  Of course we spend a lot of our date time talking about our Mini Man but it really does provide me with the opportunity to focus on my hubby and just how much I love him!  It is something I look forward to each month and I really do treasure this time together we have.

Moments with JUST ME!  Wait.....I know at first it might sound selfish and ridiculous but I am sure even Super Mommy needed just a few moments of "me" time.  These moments too are pretty much non existent.  Gone are the days of  "monthly tanning" or just "resting" on the couch.  So now...when these moments appear....I totally soak them up.  It is nice to just be able to spend a bit of time focusing on me and relaxing.  My favorite...Shower time...BY MYSELF!  Now I love to spend bath time with my Mini Man and most days...I do.  But every now and then...I get in the shower all by myself, turn on some Jessica Simpson, and zone out!  I will say that it is usually interrupted with "Noodle, where is the..." and Waylon coming in to check on me but I do think that those deep breaths I am able to take in the shower keep me sane....or from not COMPLETELY falling off my rocker.

Time with my friends!  I am blessed that my friends make this pretty easy by always including Waylon in almost everything we do.  But, I am lucky that they love to stop by, meet me for lunch and are helping me plan an awesome girls weekend away wine tasting in Paso in March!  I CANT WAIT!  And of course my family too...dinner nights with the Pearces, church with the Baumeisters, games wtih the Stephers and Sissy, mani's with my Mama, and chatting with my Daddy are all moments that I treasure. 

And mostly...I value my time with my Mini Man.  The minutes I get holding and nursing him instead of giving him a bottle and cleaning, the minutes we spend reading instead of placing him in front of the tv, our trips to the park on the warm afternoons,

the nights I spend creating "terrible habits" by letting him fall asleep in my arms and snuggling with him in my bed before putting him in his crib, the moments I spend dancing with him instead of entering grades, and the seconds we share with his chubby arms around my neck and him giving Mommy KISSES!  These precious moments in my life, I am sure, will all too soon be replaced with awesome new, moments.  But, RIGHT NOW, I am living in the moment and feeling blessed beyond belief. 

I AM LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF LIFE...ok...well, let be honest... MOST! :)

10 MONTHS OLD...so bittersweet!

WOW....10 months!

 My tiny, precious baby is now into double digit months???  You have got to be kidding me!!! Well, the past month was full of many, many fun times and firsts.  I was off for two weeks for Christmas break so I was blessed with a lot of extra time with the Mini.  Each moment is something I treasure and am thankful for.   He is constantly growing and changing and learning.  My biggest fear is that I am going to miss something while I am away at work so I was ecstatic have the opportunity to witness every smile, laugh, and moment with my Mini Man.  He is such a big part of our little family. Not sure what we did before him!


10 Months Stats
Height: 30.75 inches
Weight:: 25 pounds
Size shoe: 4
Size Diaper: 5
Size Clothes: 18 months
*Luckily...he is slowing down just a bit! Mommy's arms were about to give out!

Highlights from the month and some of Waylon's favorites:

- Waylon's first Christmas.  He made my favorite time of year, just absolutely perfect.  He loved every minute of it.  One of the best moments was when we drove around looking at the lights and he was practically jumping out the window to get a better look!  He wouldn't stop rambling.  IT WAS HILARIOUS!
- He's a stander!  Not a walker yet...but more and more he is becoming a stander...well, until he realizes you are not holding on to him, they he quickly becomes a sitter again!  But, if you keep him distracted he will stand.  Derrick and I work every night to get him to walk back and forth between us.  He will play for a while but then will quickly crawl away.  He is one AWESOME crawler.  He is so fast! 
- HE IS INTO EVERYTHING!  I mean everything!  Every drawer, every bag, every box, the trash can, the kitchen cupboards, (even though I gave him his own cupboard...he loves the one with the glass vases in it much better) dirty clothes, shoes, cups on the tables, every one's keys, TV remotes and if all of those things are taken away from him...he will settle for his toys!  Whatever we are up to...he wants to be a part of!  Shoot....we were even cleaning the house up and dedecorating and he wanted to do the vacuuming. 

- We could hardly keep him away from the Christmas tree.  Even with the gate around it...he found a way to knock down those balls...even if he had to stand on his tippy toes!  Here is a video of the criminal in the act.

- He went to the snow for the first time this past month too.  Well, he got into the snow for the first time.  He saw it a few months ago in Tahoe.  I am not really sure whether he liked it or not, but he sure did look cute!

 -His current favorite Toys...Cookie Jar from Auntie Linds, Tickle Me Elmo Extreme from Uncle JT,

His Play Table from Santa at Grammy and Papa's,The Phonics Bus from Grandpa and pretty much anything he can stand behind and push especially the Caterpillar Dump Truck. 
- Favorite Foods:  Banana with rice and peanut butter, biscuits and gravy, beans and cheese.  He is now drinking Mommy Milk mixed with organic whole milk too!  HE LOVES IT!
- HE STILL LOVES TO READ!  This is where we find him all the time!

 He loves his new book from Auntie C, The Mixed-Up Chameleon and still loves to read his Toy Story books too.
- He loves music and dancing!  He will pretty much rock out to anything...Mommy's singing, Daddy's Rock music, Papa's Country or the rap music at the Clovis East basketball game too!  He loves it all and I am just gonna say it...THIS KID HAS GOT THE MOVES!
- HE DID IT!  On January 1, 2011, he made Mommy's year!  HE SAID MAMA!  It melted my heart and made me cry the first few times.  He still will pretty much only say Mama when he wants to eat...smart boy....he knows where his food comes from!

- And...most importantly...Waylon is HEALTHY AND HAPPY! 

 He is so happy!  He smiles and laughs ALL THE TIME!  He loves to play with others and play by himself too.  He is the center of our world and I think (and hope) he knows that!  He can make any moment and any day perfect just by putting his little arms around my neck, giving me a big hug, and placing one big open mouth kiss on my face!  I don't think I deserve this kind of love and joy in my life, but I thank Jesus for it each and every day!  I can honestly say, I HAVE ALL I HAVE EVER WANTED IN MY SON AND HUBBY!  We are blessed!

Good Bye 2010....Hello 2011

Top 10 Memories of 2010

1. Waylon being born! DUH

2. My baby showers and all the love and support we felt from our family and friends!

3. Our anniversary and Thanksgiving trip to San Diego.

4.  The first time Waylon rolled over. 

5.  Being in Tahoe for Donelle and Jake's wedding.

6. Waylon's first Christmas morning and opening presents with my boys.

7. Waylon's baby dedication. (and him raising his hand at church when Pastor Tim asked who prayed the prayer to invite Jesus in their heart)

8.  Laying on the floor in the afternoons with our little family and dancing with my precious Mini Man.
9.   Waylon meeting my Grandpa before he passed away!
10.  Visiting family is Arizona.

What I am most looking forward to in 2011

1.  Waylon's first birthday party!
2.  My girl's trip at the end of March with all my favorite ladies!
3.  Hearing Waylon say "Mama"...finally!
4.  Watching Waylon walk, grow, learn, and love!
5.  Taking Waylon to see his first Dodger's game.
6.  Continuing to fall even more in love with my fabulous Hubby.
7.  Growing closer with God!
8.  Mini Man Apparel building and creating awesome outfits for all the Mini Men and Little Ladies of the world.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Thank you Jesus....for all you have done for me and my family and all you have planned for us in 2011.  We love you so much Lord and are so undeserving of all the gifts you have given us!

Christmas and Life

How do I even start?  Life has been crazy, fun, and better than  ever!  I have had the past week off from work and have been enjoying all the festivities of Christmas, seeing family and friends, but mostly just being with my Mini Man.  Even still, after being back from at work since August....I have extremely tough mornings of leaving Waylon and have guilt about working.  Yeah, I know, you do what you have to do...but, I just wish life could be like this some times.  Enjoying all day with the Mini Man, laughing, learning and loving with him.  I have said it plenty of times.. I LOVE MY JOB...it is so rewarding and so much fun.  But, being Mrs. Pearce doesn't have a thing on being Mommy!  I am just trying to remember how lucky I am to have the job that I have, awesome family to watch the Mini Man, and all this awesome vacation time I do get for some extra snuggles and kisses.  I really am blessed.

So, other than that...My mom and I have been spending a lot of time working and creating new treats for our new clothing company, Mini Man Apparel!  (Obviously, inspired by our very own Mini Man!)  We have had a ton of support and a very successful Christmas season!  Now on to Valentine's Day!  It is so much fun to be able to work with my mom.  Plus, it allows me to tap into my creative side and do a little something for myself.  It feels good to be designing something that we love so much and accomplishing another one of my goals....a clothing line for babies!   Here is a little peak at what we have been creating!

 

Yes...I do have the world's cutest models!!

WE HAD THE MOST AMAZING CHRISTMAS!

 It is amazing just how much having a baby changes everything.  And, just like most things...Waylon made Christmas even better!   We got to spend a lot of time with our families and friends and each other.  Now...Waylon is probably a bit confused...I kept telling him it was Jesus' birthday and Santa was coming...he is probably wondering where the heck this Santa is at and why he was getting all the presents but I am sure he will eventually figure it out!  :)  We were all spoiled beyond belief and got to enjoy all the aspects of the season.  Waylon loved the lights, meeting Santa (well...after he got done crying)

  

 and even started figuring out how to open his gifts by the time the day was over! 

He literally fell asleep PLAYING!  This holiday really touched my heart and made me focus on all I have.  I sat on our floor Christmas morning and realized I have all I have ever wanted or dreamed of...not in the packages...but in my boys!  God is so good and I really have more than I deserve.  These boys are my everything and make me so happy!  Thank you Jesus, for my perfect little family. 

So...yes, we are blessed and looking forward to the new year and whatever it may be that 2011 brings.  Though, I am almost certain that it will never be better than 2010!  The most amazing year of our lives. 

9 Months! 3/4 of a year already!

WE LOVE WAYLON LAWRENCE PEARCE!!!!

I do!  I am so in love with our Mini-Man!  I can't get enough of him, his sounds, his laughter, his funny gestures and his kisses.  He is the best thing Derrick and I have ever done and he makes our lives so unimaginably good!  He is perfect and wonderful in every way...and each day that passes (in record time) he is growing, changing and learning something new.  He is our biggest blessing and the part of our lives that was missing that we didn't even know was missing.

So ....NINE MONTHS!  3/4 of a year?!?!?  I will be honest...I hate that he is getting so old so fast!  I don't know why I feel this way...but I just do!  The good news is....we are creating wonderful memories each and every day, so here are some of the highlights from this month!

- Christmas preparation started early at our house and of course, we included Waylon in everything from decorating (inside and out) to shopping! 

He will be an awesome wrapper in no time too.

- Way can now zip around the couch and has started letting go and turning around from it as well.  He has acquired MANY bruises this month but all in preparation of getting those all star legs ready!  And don't worry...he is TOUGH!!  He likes to literately DIVE off the couch and then laugh!   Goodness gracious....doesn't he know...Mommy isn't laughing.  He will get behind his cart and push it clear across the room. 

He also likes to pull himself up on the cage that we have around the tree and poke his little fingers through it just to get a small touch of the tree!

 Oh, and to get in the fridge of course!  Shoot...maybe he can start making dinner soon!  Now...that would be awesome!

-FYI... It is possible to lose your baby in your own house!  We spent a few minutes last week searching for the Mini Man to find he had gone through our bedroom into our bathroom and was searching in one of the drawers!  If he is this FAST crawling...I am terrified to see how fast he can move when he can walk.

- He says Ga Ga Ga Ga and tries to say hi too!  NO, he still is not saying Ma Ma Ma Ma yet?  Doesn't he know who carried him in her womb for nine months?!??!  Come on Mini Man!

- He is an extremely awesome clapper and he loves to wave good bye!  EEEK!

- HE LOVES TO READ!  So, I had one of my most proud "Mommy" moments this month at Joann's Fabric when we were waiting in a long line.  I busted out one of Waylon's most favorite books and started reading to him.  He was such a good boy and was following along.  You should have heard the other parents oohing and aahing about how their kids would have never done that!  Oh I know...my baby is the best!  Seriously though...he loves books, he will often pick a book over a toy, and I always keep one in the diaper bag.  He will even pretend read (it is hilarious how his tone is completely different while reading) to me for quite a long time!  Maybe my son is the next Einstein?!?!  His favorite books are The Big Yawn, Toy Story's New Friends and Knock Knock, and The Christmas Story!  Maybe starting to read to him daily at two months really will pay off!?

-  He also does have something in common with Mommy...he loves clothes!!  He loves to help us sort the laundry and even eat his socks!  (I don't enjoy the last part)!

- He can still squeeze into size 12 month clothes but is a bit more comfy in 18 months!  He wears size 4 shoes and size 5 diapers!

- He is trying more and more foods these days but still loves nursing too!  Some of his new favorites...blueberries and spinage!!  No wonder I practically turned into Popeye while I was pregnant!

- We went on our first family vacation this past Thanksgiving week to San Diego.  Waylon got to see all the animals at the San Diego Zoo,

Sea World, 

and Wild animal park

up close and personal.  His favorite was defiantly the turtles!  But he just adored the big fish tanks too!  (He loves Papa's fishes so we were expecting this!  But...after our trip...I think Papa might need to upgrade!)   It was nice to just get away and to enjoy our little family!  Two of my favorite highlights....Waylon got to touch a starfish and we got to see some of our most fabulous family friends for dinner!

-This might be more of a confession...but Derrick and myself are big time gamers!  I got hooked on Call of Duty Modern Warefare 2 while I was pregnant and picked right back up with it when the Black Ops came out!  We of course like to unwind with a little gaming at night and Waylon likes to play along right with us!  Here is a pic of the boys gaming!

- He got his first two teeth....practically at the same time but I felt the first one the morning of November 16th!  And he was such a trooper!

- Oh and I think he has a farting talent that is from out of this world!

Waylon Lawrence Pearce....you are the highlight of every single one of our days!  We didn't even know that loving someone this much was possible.  You make every part of our lives better.  It is our goal in life to make sure you are happy and know just how loved you are.  No one has ever been loved more!  God certainly was showing off when he created you....you are our everything!  We are so thankful for all your kisses, smiles, and snuggles!  We love you Mini Man/Mister!!



Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

You Waylon, will forever be...our greatest gift from God!