16 MONTHS!! My happy and healthy Mini Man!!

16 MONTHS!! I cant believe that my Mini Man has been a part of our family for 16 months! So my toddler (yes, I am admitting it these days!) is keeping me on my toes and laughing more than ever! There are some definite advantages to having a more mobile and independent Mini Man! For one, I LOVE that he can walk himself to the car. When he hears the garage door open….he knows right where to go!! This is a huge advantage for me being that Waylon weighs 28 pounds now and usually I have him, a diaper bag, a purse, a sippy cup and a water to get into the car! Waylon…Mom Mom’s arms thank you! I also love that he brings us a diaper when he goes poo-poo and needs a clean butt! Then, he will even throw it away for us sometimes! Way to go Mini! He also knows right where to go when I tell him “Lets go do your hair” or “time to eat”! He even helps Mom Mom throw away the food he throws on the floor while he eats! He is an amazing little guy and such a great helper! We couldn’t be more blessed!

So with me being off with the summer….the activities have been crazy!!!! Mini started Little Gym in June.

He loves the activities, playing with his friends Addi and Braydon, chasing the bubbles and ball…but mostly, I think Waylon loves his teachers and getting one on one help from her!!! She is a cute, young blond! Oh Way! He is learning how to hang from the bar, do forward rolls, and walk across the balance beam. (Oh, and how to play nice with others!) We have a great time going and I love watching him try new things!

He also started swim lessons this week! They are Baby and Me class which he is doing with Daddy so Mommy can watch and take pictures! He is doing great and I love seeing my boys in actions together!

We also have been taking morning walks with some old friends who now happen to be neighbors who have precious babies too! His buddy Clark is only two weeks younger than him and well….he just can’t get enough of Preslei!!

We have met up with our playground once and spent some other afternoons with friends we don’t get to see enough also!

Other recent highlights….we went to Pismo with the Pearces for the car show.

Mini played the beach and even got his precious little toes wet!!

We went Bass Lake with the Baumeisters!

Waylon went on his first boat ride and loved it! His favorite part was being Captain!!!

We even took Waylon to the circus to see the elephants and horsies!! We thought it was the coolest ever.

When Waylon gets excited, he ooohs and aaaahs and swings his arms around in a crazy motion! I wish I could read his little mind! After spending the day swimming at Grandmas,

we came home and watch the firewords with Grammy and Papa and a few close friends!

HE WAS ON CLOUD NINE!!  Check him out watching the fireworks!

Waylon also got to spend some special time with his cousins from Arizona and his Auntie Kim when they came out for a week to visit! He loved playing with Kennedy and Gigi,

and rough housing with Davis and Spencer!!

It is so great to hear him giggle with his cousins! I just love it!

So some Waylon stats…..Waylon is now 28 pounds and almost 33 inches tall. He wears 2t clothes and is about ready for some size 6 shoes. He loves to eat watermelon, olives, corn,

quesadillas, hot dogs, mac and cheese, pineapple, fishies (of course) and about anything he can DIP! Especially in ketch up….HE LOVES THE STUFF! He is also talking a lot more these days. He can say dog, Mom Mom, Dada, Pop for Papa, JT, fish, two, no, yes, yeah, ball, toes, nose, shoot, shoes, milk, green, tree, truck, bye, Gigi, and I am sure I am missing some others!! He knows countless words and can identify almost 40 flash cards.  I am amazed at how many he just “knows”. He sure is a little sponge.

My most favorite thing Waylon knows (I am pretty sure he is the smartest baby ever). He knows what 1 +1 is…check him out in action!

Maybe I should send this video to Stanford so they can start recruiting him now!

He loves to watch Toy Story, Nemo, and Cars when riding in the car. Sometimes as a treat we will let him watch Mickey Mouse club too! He loves to play outside, swing, go on walks, chase around a ball, throw his lemons, play with his train, dance with Mom Mom or by himself…HE LOVES TO DANCE is an understatement, here he is getting down with his cousin Gigi,

swim,

 bake,

throw all the pillows on the floor and fall on them, ride in his car while being pushed, paint, take a bath, give Kisses, but MOSTLY…his favorite thing to do is READ!! Like I said…watch out Stanford, here comes Mini!

I think that as parents we always and continuously hope that we are doing the BEST possible job for our children. I know how fortunate I am to be a temporary stay at home Mommy with Waylon! I DO NOT TAKE ONE SECOND FORGRANTED!! We have had a blast this past month and I am looking forward to the next few weeks. I think it is absolutely unimaginable and unmeasurable how much you can love someone until you are Mommy! Waylon has my heart…and always will. He is smart and funny and sweet and loving and HAPPY!!! People always say “he is such a happy boy”. And it is true!! My Mini Man is happy , healthy and loved!! He is perfect!!!! Waylon...you are our everything and ALL our dreams come true!  Mom Mom and Dada LOVE YOU!!!

My Wishes, Hopes, and Wants for Waylon

I think as a parent, it is quite normal to wonder what the future holds for your child. I wonder how tall Waylon is going to be, what his favorite subject is going to be in school (it better be MATH), where he will go to college, and what sports he will love to play. And, while I am pretty sure that my Mini Man is going to be the star Chicago Bear linebacker

WHILE going to be school to become a doctor (smart and studly) there are a few other REAL wishes I have for my Waylon.

My Wishes, Hopes, and Wants for Mini…..

1. I hope he loves the Lord with all his mind, soul, heart, and strength. I hope he prays when things get tough and praises the Lord when prayers are answered. I hope he never feels alone and trusts that God sees the whole picture. I hope he has faith.

2. I hope he is strong.

Not just physically, but mentally. I hope he stands up for himself and what he believes in. I want him to make his own decisions and not just follow what everyone else is doing. And, I want him to stand up for others when they need the support of another.

3. I hope he treats women with respect

and falls in love...at least once. I hope he loves with ALL his heart.

4. I want him to believe in himself and NEVER let anyone tell him that he can or cannot do something.

5. I want him to not quit something when it gets tough. Being around high school aged kids all the time, I see this frequently. I want him to push through the long practices, piles of homework, and discouragements to achieve greatness.

6. I know he won’t be perfect so my wish is that he learns from his mistakes. (And the mistakes of his friends, cousins, siblings, or peers).

7. I hope he can fix things on his own, with his own two hands.

8. I hope he doesn’t cheat! Like I tell my students, it is better to fail with pride then pass by cheating!

9. I hope he know how lucky he is to be an American and is thankful for the sacrifices of others.

10. I hope is isn’t afraid to work hard and knows how to play hard too.

11. I hope he is giving, courageous, go with the flow, funny like his daddy,

goal-orientated like his mommy,

loyal, determined, charming, honest and independent.

12. Finally and most importantly, I hope he knows that no other little boy has EVER been more loved by his Mommy and Daddy! We will always believe in him, stand by him, and support him! You can’t lose us Mini!

Remember Waylon

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4: 13

THINGS I WANT YOU TO KNOW....

You just turned 13 months old!!! HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?  There are so many awesome and unique things about you.   When you turn 13 years old...I want you to have something to look at and read that tells you about all the joy you have brought into our lives and all the special little things that make you ... YOU!

So....at thirteen months...you are still about 26 pounds and about 34 inches tall.  You wear a size 18 months - 2T shirt or shorts and size 5 shoe.   You are built just like Daddy, buff and broad....your shoulders are so WIDE!  Everywhere we go....people  tell us how cute you are!  IT IS TRUE!  You have the most adorable dimple and smile...it could light up the world.  Your hair is getting a bit longer these days....well only in the back really!  You have a natural mullet!! Oh...and it has bit of a RED tint to it!  Mommy dresses you up for almost every occasion...and with that being said....you are one of the BEST dressed babies in town...if I do say so myself!  From your converse shoes, wranglers jeans, hurley shirts, and of course Mini Man Apparel custom designs....you are dressed to impress!  But, even in your diaper...you are the world most adorable baby boy!

Saying you are into everything, does feel like I am accurately describing just how crazy things are theses days.  You get into every cabinet, every drawer, you dig in the trash can, and we have even caught you playing in the toilet twice!!  Oh, you are SUCH a boy!

You love to...
Watch Toy Story in the Car
Watch and Dance to Dancing With the Star with Mommy and King of the Hill with Daddy
Play outside...in the dirt of course.
SWING on your play fort at Grammy and Papa's house.

Go on walks in your new wagon from Grandma and Auntie Kim and Uncle Scott.

Sit in your "Gaming" Chair from Uncle Steve like a BIG boy.

Playing in the courtyard with the snake!
Pet out fake Doggy...and give him kisses too!
Ride your quad and horsey.

Play catch with daddy!  You have one hell of an arm Mini!
WALK AROUND!  You are so proud of yourself!  You pick your feet up all high and pull your shoulders up and have a huge smile on your face!  
Brush your teeth....using the sonicare of course.  You can even turn it on and off all by yourself.
DANCE!  You have got the moves Mini Man!  You don't even need music!  Here is a video of your shaking it in the back yard!  Your prom dates are going to be so lucky!

READ READ READ!! 

You are officially our little book worm!  You love every Toy Story or Cars book you have.  You like the touch and feel books and often read these on your own.  But with Mommy, our favorite book to read is I'll Love You Forever.  Being that you are so busy, one of my most favorite things to do with you is read.  This is because I get to spend a long period of time hugging and snuggling and loving on you.  When we read this book, we rock ...back and forth....and giggle and laugh.  This book tells my promise to you.....

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always.

As long as I'm living,

My MINI MAN you'll be.

Waylon...you need to know that you are our EVERYTHING!  We love showing you off to the world and you make us PROUD each and every day.  You are so well behaved and such a sweet mini man!  Your family and friends fight over who gets to watch you when Mommy and Daddy have date night.  You are just too irresistible.  You are stubborn!  You think "no" means go faster, and even a swat on the bottom won't stop you from digging in the trash can.  You hardly ever cry...except for when we make you get a clean butt or put clothes on....and you constantly make us laugh!  We are so amazed that God would entrust us with such a perfect Mini Man to raise and love.  We feel privileged to be your parents and blessed to have you with us each and every day.  You are healthy, happy, strong, sweet and smart!  YOU are our dream come true Mister! 

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!