We Remember..

This past weekend was Memorial Day, a day which for me always meant, lakes, bbq, beginning of summer, swimming, parties, family and friends. It is actually a day where Americans celebrate fallen soldiers who pridefully died fighting for our freedom. 2 years ago it took on a very different meaning. Johnny White, your grandfather, was taken from this earth far too early leaving his family behind in a state of shock. Even though he is not here we all so deeply want you to know him. I like to think he visits your in your dreams. Trust me, if there is way for him to do that he has figured it out. Your dad and I were joking the other day that he would love you so much,  probably almost to the point of embarrassment. You would be the best, most handsome, smartest baby to even be born and he would let everyone know and make no apologies for it.

Your dad is so much like him and I see his greatest qualities shine through more and more everyday. He would do anything for his family, work as hard as he needs to and still ask what he can do to help. He was everyone's friend and knew very few enemies. His experiences built a great deal of character. His love for his family was so strong nothing could get in the way and he let everyone know it. When I put it down in words this describes him and your dad. They are one in the same and you and I are very very lucky.This is one of the ways he is still alive and well today. We will speak about him for years to come because he was and still is a very important member of this family. We will remember this on Memorial Day and every day. RIP John p White xoxox

It's all for you..

Aah it's Sunday and you are napping in your crib, your dad is napping in the living room and Lily is napping at my feet. All is as it should be. I don't nap but I'm good at relaxing when I can. Thought I would write a post to update you on what life has been like lately. You are now almost 17 months old and seriously get cuter everyday. Your little personality shines through from the minute you wake up until you lay your head down at night. A couple of my favorite things you are up to right now...

• You have to carry as many things in your hands as possible
• When you are not sure of something you concentrate really hard and then laugh a little- maybe a nervous laugh? not sure, but it's so darn cute
• When you don't like a certain food you laugh and spit it out--broccoli!!
• You bring us books to read you and then walk backwards to plop down on our laps. I absolutely love this and hope it lasts for a long time
• You do a little dance when you are happy- especially when you see family (nana, grandma, aunt Haley and aunt Sharon)
• You are obsessed with sticks and pretend to write something in the ground when you have them

There are lots more but I'll move on. Since I absolutely love you so much I am very concerned with your health and well being and I am doing as much as I can to help you have a heatlhy lifestyle. Aunt Sharon recently opened my eyes to all of the harmful things we are putting in our bodies from processed foods so we are making some big changes in thie fridge. I plan to cut down on as many GMO's and High Fruictose Corn Syrup as possible!! You are great eater and I thankful for that. I figure the more changes I can make now the more you will like them.

I recently ran in my first half marathon and you trained with me almost every day. You didn't even realize it! I would strap you in the jogger and off we would go. You love it and just look around the whole time. I hope I am giving you an early love for exercise and outdoors. When I signed up for my 1/2 marathon I had to write what inspires me to run and the answer is you. It's all for you...

Britney and I about to start! 

SXSW Spring Break!!! #Gueros

Party Time, Sharon, Tabby and Me Reunited!

My two loves

Family time before bed

Maybe my favorite picture xoxo

Can you get any cuter?!?

I can't sleep because I'm thinking how grateful I am to get to spend so much time with you, my sweet 15 month old baby boy. I'm still not working and I have to say it's really nice to get pause from the stress of corporate America and see life through the eyes of a child, once again. Today we were piddling around the house doing chores and I had music playing from the ipod and you just stopped and started to dance. Later on you started clapping because you liked something. How nice to just be able to express yourself no matter what, no fear of judgment, no political correctness. Even when you throw fits, I'm glad you are able to get out those frustrating emotions and move on. I don't like seeing you upset, ever, but it's going to happen and I'd rather you get it out then ball it up inside. Now when you are kicking and screaming at the mall in a few years I will probably be silently willing you to stop but just know I will always want you to express your feeling to me.

You are at a really fun age, so curious, so sweet, so talkative in your own little language. You sleep so good! We are in a good routine, your dad comes home and can't wait to see you and take over. Tonight after you went to bed he told me he wanted to get you just so he could rock you and he left a blanket on the couch just in case you made a peep so he can go get you and cuddle on the couch. You are still sleeping soundly though and we wouldn't dream of waking you in your sweet sleep.

Just a quick little update. Love you so much Jonathan Grant White

Sleepy head after a nap, you are OBSESSED with books, I love it...

Angel face

1st of probably many baths with you sweet cousin Bowen

sleepy from too much fun at the park

Love that little unbalanced walk

You are Loved. 

ER

Unfortunately this post is about your dreaded first visit to the ER...or shall I say our dreaded first visit. Let me start by saying you are A-OK and we are very lucky!! I will also be dramatizing just a tad for a compelling read.

Let me introduce to you the Culprit:

Now you probably want to know who purchased these who some might say is the actual culprit since these blocks did not just walk into your playroom:

JK Aunt Nancy we love you and we know that we will have hours and hours of fun with these in a few years.... you know when he is 18 or so ;) So we just finished up dinner and you were playing with daddy in your newly transformed "play space" and I walked in to join the fun. I was a little distracted, I'm sorry to say because I was on the phone with ....yep.....you guessed it....

JK again, We love you Aunt Nancy and even if I had not have been on the phone this still would have happened.

You are full on walking now but still very new to it. Daddy and I have a little too much confidence in your walking abilities and we let you go all over the place while trying to keep an arms length. Here is where it gets sad :( You were so happy and you put a block in your mouth sprung up and started to walk only to fall face first, block still in mouth. I knew immediately this was not good. Let Nancy go and Daddy and I quickly inspected. To spare the details we decided it was best to head to Children's to get you checked out. We would never forgive ourselves if you had a speech problem because we didn't do everything we could for you. We took turns sitting in the car with you so you were not surrounded by sick kids and 3 hours later after a quick dr inspection we were back home and you were just fine.

Such a sad face :(

So it's a happy ending and we have put up the blocks and are now doing EVERYTHING we possibly can to baby proof and protect you  even though we know accidents will happen.

I was SO happy to be at home with you the next day and I spoiled you all day long.

xoxox Love, Mom