Let the Countdown begin!

Reese will turn 1 in 20 days.

These last few months have been amazing.  He has become a little man faster than any of us ever expected.  He is making his place in this family, and we are so happy that he is here.

He said "mama" on April 9.  It was his first word.  He said "dada" on April 14.  And, he started calling Emmanuel "brother" a few days later.  Unlike most kids who choose a word and refer to everything as that word...Reese was very clear that when he said "mama" he was talking about me.  When he said "dada" he was talking about Eli, and so on.

He took his first steps right before he turned 10 months old, but of course, I was the only witness (Eli was at work...Emmanuel was asleep), so no one believed me.  He walked to Eli on May 20th, and then it became "official."  He has taken steps here and there everyday since then, but he still prefers to crawl.

He is a total flirt...most of the time.  He loves attention, and will smile or talk to anyone who is in his face, unless, of course, he's not in the mood.  He has very strong opinions and emotions.  He is incredibly determined.

He has 8 teeth, but I'm pretty sure he's cutting his molars.  He loves being outside (like his big brother).  He loves putting any and everything in his mouth.  He's very loud...and loves to clap his hands.

He does not like to cuddle, he loves his daddy, and always looks for his brother.  He continues to love to eat savory dishes over sweet, and I imagine having coffee with him when he is in college as he tells me about his favorite dishes to cook because, of course, I want my boys to know their way around the kitchen.

He loves other babies and kids.  He's got a great little playmate in our neighborhood, but anytime he sees a little one, he gets excited.

I look forward to his 1st birthday with great joy.  I cannot tell you how grateful I am to Jesus that he got me through this first year of parenting a two year old and a new baby with a husband who was working a new job and going to school at night.  I am tired, but I am thankful.  I am thankful that we have some playmates for the boys.  I am thankful for my neighborhood walking buddy (who has an almost one year old, too!)  I am thankful that I did not lose my sanity.  I am thankful for grace.  I am thankful that my mom reminds me that staying at home is important and that I won't get these years back...even though it is a huge sacrifice for our family financially and puts whatever career I might have dreamt of having on hold.  I am thankful for my MOMS Club (we are 70 MOMS strong and most have multiple kiddos).  I am thankful for my closest friends who are far away, but who never hesitate to check in, even from across the pond.  I am thankful for Eli, who has endured more than I could imagine and who never gave up.

Well, let the countdown begin.  Happy" soon-to-be" 1st Birthday, Reese Martin.  I can only imagine what the next year holds!