Nine Months

Jacob turns nine months old!

He is crawling all over the place. He enjoys flipping over the dog's water bowl and unrolling/ripping/eating toilet paper. Jake loves being in his big sisters room, banging on pots in her kitchen, and trying to crawl away with her bunny. The tupperware cabinet is back into being a play area and water bottles have become a go to music toy Jake hums into them.  The little red fire truck, aden and anais blankets, and mickey are his favorite loves.

On Tuesday, Jake received his first hair cut at Disney. Just a little trim. Just a few tears (from my eyes).  He barely moved and did great!

 

Jake is cruising along the couch, their table, around the toy storage in their rooms. He is on the verge of taking his steps!

 Jake you bring our family much joy. Your smile makes everyone smile. You melt hearts when shopping and you have the ladies at the publix bakery throwing cookies at you. 

The name in her backpack

I've packed Rylee a backpack plenty of times. A bag for sleep overs at Nana's, a bag for Disney, a bag for the beach, a bag to go shopping with daddy.

But I've never written her name in her backpack. She was always with us. I know of every item in her backpack, the true love of her bunny packed safely inside, and which snacks she would eat first. I know which bag she prefers for different trips.

I wasn't prepared for this morning when I wrote her name into her backpack for she'll be backstage for her big dance recital tonight.

"Rylee's"

It was strange. And I just stared at her name. Because I blinked, time is racing by and she really is growing up. No matter how much I plea for this time to stand still and let me soak it all in, she is growing.

Seeing her name on the inside of her made me think of the life she'll oh too soon have that won't always include me. From starting school to growing up and becoming a bride.

As I collect myself, wipe tears away, and put snacks into her bag, I think of the little girl she is becoming.

I pray her sassy attitude will ward off any bullies and her kind heart will hug those in need.

I pray her strong willed personality guides her into doing grand things and her sense of humor keeps her grounded.

I pray her love is felt and cherished by others and never taken for granted.

I pray she stands strong in this big world and offers a hand to those having a hard day.

Her sweet name, written in black sharpie, startled me and pulled me back to look at the big picture here. While some days I am wishing away her time as a wild toddler, I have to remember this time is so short.

One day she'll be writing her own name. Not me. And when that day comes, you'll find me in a corner a blubbery mess.