Very quick update on B...

Had to put this in here. Identical twins? Nope! Just mama and son. :)

The past few months have been crazy, busy and full of all kinds of adventures but the most important is that this little monkey is now 1 1/2 years old! How is this possible?? Brighton is the funniest little boy and has the most outgoing personality. He loves getting into mischief and laughing whenever mommy tells him "no". I'm pretty sure I have the next Evil Knievel on my hands. If he's not climbing up onto the couch or my lap then he's climbing up on top of his little motorcycle or blue car (pictures to follow in a later post). He's a hand full but so much fun! A few of his quirks are:

• he LOVES going for walks and is obsessed with being outside. We go for A LOT of walks.
• he's finally getting used to going to the gym every day and has made friends with a few of the girls that work there. He'll stick his lip out once I walk out but the crying has subsided (thankfully) and he's always super excited once I pick him up. He'll lay on my shoulder the entire walk to the car. So sweet!
• he's obsessed with toothbrushes and is always wanting to brush his teeth (future Dr. Harris?)
• when it's study time for mama then it's story time for bubba. He'll walk up and set books on my lap so naturally there's a lot of story time in our house. But I love it! I'd drop anything to read to my munchkin.
• climbing stairs is one of his favorite activities. If I can't find him then I look for the stairs.
• he laughs at himself all the time which naturally makes me laugh. Lots of laughing in our house!
• he's still obsessed with screwing on lids and taking off caps to bottles. Milk cartons are a must. Who needs toys?
• Words: "Mama" "Bubba" "Clock" "Duck""Daddy""Car""Truck" "Duke" "Thank you" "Go (then walks to the nearest door)" "Walk (also walks to the nearest door)" "Book" "Ball" "Welcome" "Quack" "Moo" "Hi" Obviously these words aren't always pronounced correctly. Such as "clock". Remove the "l" and that is the word he likes to refer everything as. It's a little awkward when it's said very loudly in the middle of the store. Gotta love kids! :)
• he always wants whatever I'm eating or drinking and loves drinking out of my ginormous water bottle that is the size of him. Very amusing to watch!
• he could eat raisins for every meal. He's obsessed. Or spaghetti.
• loves giving high fives, low fives and side fives.
• He says "no" or "nope" to just about everything but gives me the sweetest kisses when I ask for one
• he runs to the bathroom when I say it's "tubby time". Loves his baths! Just like his mama. 
• and if I say the word "walk" or "go" he repeats the word and runs for the front door
• he doesn't dance but he does head bang.
• he's still a huge cuddle bug...I'm hoping that doesn't ever change

I wish I could chart every tiny thing he does every second of the day but clearly that's impossible. We have so much fun together and he's still my best little buddy. Love you bugs! To infinity and beyond...

                                              (Yes, he is in his pajamas eating dinner.)

16 1/2 months

• 21.1 lbs
• 32 inches 61% height
• 18.8 inches head 57%

Looks like I'm going to have a tall and skinny one on my hands! I may be a little bias but he is the perfect little dude. Every day with him just gets more fun. He loves to cuddle and always wants to sit on my lap.He loves to unscrew/screw caps and lids, take out the outlet plugs just to plug them right back in himself and either try to maneuver his way into Duke's kennel or towards the kitchen garbage can. He loves the word, "no" and uses it very frequently, yet finds it hilarious when mama uses the same word. 

Other words he say's are:

-Duke

-Mum

-Daddy

-Thank you (Literally every single time, usually multiple times, after I give him something. It's adorable.)

-You're welcome (working on it)

-All done (along with the sign language version)

 

He loves Christmas tree's and Christmas lights in general. We went to the temple lights at the Mesa Temple and he just loved it. He wanted to run around and touch every single light bulb that was within reach. He enjoys eating mama's food and drinking mama's drink, even if he has the exact same thing in front of him. Throwing food on the floor is his favorite activity, even when I tell him "no", he just laughs and keeps doing it. Maybe I need to work on my "stern" voice? In the mean time, good thing we have a tiny permanent vacuum cleaner (Duke).

This little guy continues to bring so much joy into my life. I look forward to him waking up every morning. I love cuddling with him on the couch while we watch Christmas cartoons and the way he lays on my shoulder when we read bedtime stories. He's growing up way too fast and I look forward to helping him learn and loving him more every single day. If that's even possible.

Love him so much.

Update:

Since nursing school started, I literally have no time to update this thing but I'm deciding to take a tiny break from studying to do a very quick update. :)

The past few months have been filled with all sorts of surprises such as:

This little stinker starting to walk. My dad came down to visit us during the middle of September and he was actually the one to see B officially take his "first steps". I was in class at the time but I got PLENTY of videos of him  the next day. I can't believe my little boy is getting so big. I love him more every second of the day and could not be more thankful to be his mama. We have so much fun together! 

While my dad was here we went to the zoo, ate yummy food (and dessert) and just spent quality time together. It was so nice having him here for the weekend. I miss my family. I wish I would've gotten more pictures though!

My friend's Chris and Kara got engaged! So happy for them and so happy I got to be a part of the big surprise engagement. 

 With the soon to be bride on the left. Congrats again!

And a few surprise packages from my sweets:

Yes, it's a turban and yes I had been stalking it on anthropologie.com for the past 9 months and Case decided to surprise me with both.

I have the sweetest man. I'm a lucky gal.

So besides a few concerts here and there and a couple of play dates, this pretty much sums up my past few months.I think. I'm probably missing something but oh well. My brain is fried.

Nursing school is hard. And there are some days that I would be content with pulling my hair out over studying or going to class. But over all, I really do love it. And it'll be so worth it in the end. 

Now back to studying...

*Don't be surprised if I don't update for another few months. Maybe more than that if Casey comes home for Christmas. :)

For the past 5 years, I have been able to spend this lovely lady's birthday with her. One of the joys of living in a big city is, you can spend the night away at a resort and feel like you're on vacation. 10 girls in one upgraded suite (thanks Kyle) with lots of junk food, laughing and painting each others nails. It was the perfect 2 day getaway followed by an even more perfect night of dancing and singing every song at the top of our lungs. 

Awesome girls and one fantastic best bud. Love you Britt, Happy Birthday!

Crazy to think about. Love this guy. Lots.

Thank you Shannon Worley (Photography). Your work never ceases to amazing me. We love you!

It's still crazy for me to realize that I am now a mama of a one year old. People are constantly asking me how old B is and it takes me a minute each time to respond properly. I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. 

Every single detail. 

There was a point, a few hours before he was born, that I kept thinking about his first birthday and what our lives would be like on that day. 

Now that day has come and gone and it couldn't have been more different than what I had imagined it to be.Yet, it was still so perfect in every way. 

This past year has been one of my hardest to date yet without a doubt the most beautiful. Brighton has been my rock. He has been, more than once, my only reason for wanting to get out of bed in the morning.

I don't think he will ever truly understand how grateful and in love with him I am. 

I'm so glad that he chose me to be his mom. 

I'm glad that he was able to spend his birthday with family, especially his dad. Eric left for Mexico to do charity dental work right after Brighton's birthday party. I know it was a challenge for him to be there but I am so glad that he was able to. And I know it will mean a lot to B to see pictures of him and his dad on his first birthday.

 I think adults forget how exciting and fun birthday's are until they have kids. I, may or may not, have been more excited than Brighton was to open his presents.

It was such an amazing and unforgettable day and I can't wait to see what this next year brings us...

*I took about 9 billion pictures on his birthday and had to refrain myself from posting all of them. However, I will be posting more once we have his other party. Which I am so excited for.  :)

...it's your Birthday shout HOORAY!...

My baby turned ONE today. One! I still can't believe it. 

Happy Birthday to the little love of my life.

Mama love's you bubba. To infinity and beyond...

(more detailed post to come tomorrow. i'm pooped.)

My first night away from Brighton (besides Japan) consisted of:

A beautiful view of Phoenix.

Even more beautiful company.

Photoshoots.

Random fake tea parties.

Extremely good cupcakes and laughing so hard that my stomach still aches.

I have been dreading my first night without Brighton since the day he was born but I have to admit it was nice to get out and spend some quality time with good friends. Plus I must admit that the sleeping in past 7 am Sunday morning was pretty fantastic as well. Thanks Alyssa and Brian for having such an amazing apartment in downtown Phoenix and for having us at your house warming party! I loved every minute of it.