What a stud

You are the best dressed baby boy on the block.

Worth It.

I go to work 5 days a week to make your life the best it can be. While I miss you during the week, come Saturday I am reminded why I do it. You are the sweetest little guy ever. There are no words.

Advertising (Warning: Sap Alert)

I'm in advertising.
This means I watch commercials very closely.
This, combined with my newfound soft spot for all things baby, means that I cry when inspiring or touching baby ads appear on my television.
Here are a few that get me - every single time.

This one is my favorite. It reminds me why I write this blog and what I hope you get out of it someday.


This one makes me thankful that you are happy and healthy, and most definitely my bitty miracle.


And finally, an ad created by my W+K family (shameless plug). This reminds me of how hard I love you. I would do anything for you, and I will support you and instill confidence and self-worth in you. I will always believe in you.

Ride em cowboy!

Big boy.

Report Card

Good boy, buddy.

Miss You.

My reason

for living. love this family!

this blows

on this, my final day of maternity leave, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I cannot believe how much I have come to depend on you. Which is funny, because obviously in most cases, the baby depends on mama. Sure, you love to cuddle on me, and I make you laugh, and we have SO MUCH fun together, but truth be told, today this very last day of special time for you and I, and it is gut wrenching to leave you. Your daddy has tried to sympathize, he has asked me what it's like, and the best I can describe is knowing, that in just a few short hours, your right arm will be cut off. Yes, this is dramatic,  but if I'm being honest, this is how it feels. Not my left arm, my right arm, the one I write with. It will be gone, and I'm preparing for how to live life without this integral part of my world.
I just have to tell myself that you are strong and independent, and you will thrive in this new environment. These women will take the best of care of you and you will NOT call them mama (or they are forbidden from telling me if you do). This is one of the hardest things I've ever done, little guy. But in the long run, I pray and hope that it will be the best for us both. I love you, and these last three and a half months have been heavenly, there are no words. Please don't forget me.
I love you, fella.

Mother's Day!

There is no denying that I have been looking forward to my very first Mother's Day since I first realized I wanted kids (which means I had been waiting for this day for nearly 18 years). I wanted to spend the day with our amazing family, and it was such a spectacular day full of relaxation and the best family a girl could ask for.
Though I had every intention of sleeping in, I was awakened by your sweet squealing voice at about 7:30am and I couldn't help but get up to play with my sweet dude. You greeted me with that huge gummy smile, setting the tone for our wonderful day. Your Grandpa came over and made the most AMAZING triple berry french toast and served your Grandma and I breakfast in bed with fresh mimosa's while we watched a chic flick. We finished breakfast and headed out to do some wine tasting, picking up a lovely bottle of Viogneir to sip on while Grandma and I got pedicures (along with every other mother/daughter duo in Newberg). Finally, we came home and your daddy cooked us the most amazing blue cheese steak dinner (his specialty) as we watched the beautiful Newberg sunset over the hills. We laughed, we cried, we gossiped, and I had such an amazing day. I realized that I was recognizing my own Mother in a new light, with more adoration and appreciation for all that she has done as an amazing mother to me. Being a mommy now, I simply cannot believe all that I've put my mother through (especially in those dreaded teenage years), and through it all she has always loved and supported me unconditionally. I hope to be this for you, little guy.
Thank you for helping me become the person I've always wanted to be. You are helping me grow on so many levels. I am more accepting of myself and my emotional ways, you have taught me the true meaning of being completely self-less, and I am becoming a much more compassionate person. You have given me purpose.
Thank you for being such a Gem on my first Mother's Day, I look forward to many, many more of these days.

Mimosa Brunch in Bed!

Cuddles with mama

Storytime! (Brown Bear + Green Eggs & Ham)

Lincoln likes storytime too!

Sad Day...

A dear friend of mine received the news that no parent ever wants to hear. His brand new baby girl has passed away. Our thoughts, prayers, and well wishes go out to he and his family. There are no words to describe how awful this would feel, it makes my heart ache every time I think about what a difficult time they must be going through right now. Our whole heart goes out to he and his family.
I'm hanging on to you extra tight lately, little guy. I can't imagine my life without you and am beyond thankful for every single day that God has blessed me with your life. We know God is taking extra special care of this very special little lady.
Hug your babies today and everyday.

Rest in Peace, sweet Evie Tahan Sarver

Thanks, Daddy

This is the home your daddy worked so hard to create for us. This is our view from our rocking chair - a gorgeous green lawn, beautifully landscaped to the point that our neighbors think I married a landscaper. And we even have a canoe sitting out there just waiting for its first adventure with this new family of 3. Before you came along, we replaced the carpet, painted the walls (ALL of them!), cleaned out the spare room closet, bought a rocker, and assembled countless baby items. And by "we", I mean daddy. Thanks, Daddy for all of your hard work in the months leading up to your baby boy's arrival, and for your support and help in the months he has been a part of our life. We have such a warm, comfy, peaceful, loving home, and I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.
We love you, daddy.

First Bonfire of the summer!

Home

One of those moments...

When I am in pure ecstacy, I love you with my entire body, soul, being. We cuddle here, your warm body next to mine. I live for moments like this. Amazing how my life and priorities completely changed on February 1st, 2011. Can't I just freeze time right now?

Baby Book

I actually got your daddy to fill out one page of your baby book. This is a huge accomplishment. He sure loves you, dude.

Family Beach Vacation!

Guess what? You had your very first beach vacation last weekend! It was mommy and daddy's 2 year wedding anniversary and though traditionally this would be a weekend for just the two of us, I couldn't stand the thought of leaving my new babe at home, so we packed up the fam (sans dogchildren) and hit the road. It was a BEAUTIFUL drive, we took the long way down the Oregon Coast, it took a good 9 hrs to get to Gold Beach, but we were happy to learn that you just LOVE the car. You fussed only once when mommy accidentally hit your head on the roof (oops). We broke the law a few times when mommy crawled into the back seat to change/feed you. You just loved staring out the window at the trees and the ocean.

On Saturday (the day before our actual anniversary), we tried to hit the beach. You were such a trooper, but the 35 mph winds kept us on the beach for a total of about 15 minutes. I kept thinking we could tough it out but your daddy finally made the call to head back to the car. We spent the rest of the day lounging and watching movies as you cuddled in your daddy's arms. You also took a bath with Mommy, which was SO FUN! 

Sunday, May 1st, was our actual wedding anniversary (and the 1 year anniversary of the night we made YOU!). We had much to celebrate and this was just a PERFECT DAY! Mommy got to sleep in until 9am (which is HUGE since you are such an early 6am riser). I woke up to a happy baby and a sweet daddy. We had mimosa's (well, you had milkmosas) and watched our wedding video, laughed and remembered that very special day. Then we packed up a few toys and headed to the beach. It was a GORGEOUS day, about 75 degrees, sunny, with very little wind. You napped and then we walked up and down the beach all day long. You wore a hat and tons of baby sunblock, Mommy and Daddy should've followed your lead and ended up pretty sunburnt by the days end. Daddy took a nap in the sand while I carried you up and down the beach. I sang you some Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, and Dave Matthews Band as you fell asleep in my arms. You were such a joy, so much fun, and we look forward to many more family getaways. 

By the end of the weekend, your daddy and I had fallen in love all over again and it felt so good. As it turned out, we really needed a weekend away to focus on our marriage and to enjoy our favorite little guy in the world. We laughed, we danced, we watched movies, we had a few white russians, and played Old Maid and tons of dice. By the end of the weekend, your daddy and I were a little sweeter, a little nicer, and a whole lot more in love with eachother, and of course with you.

Cheers!

You and Daddy enjoying the sunset

Happy Family of 3!

Chillin by the Rogue River

Sunday, Gold Beach, Gorgeous day!

Beach Bum

Mommy and Baby

Daddy loves you!

Yaquina Head

Daddy borrowed your hat

click here for more photos.

I love this boy