The week before Christmas

Before I get to my Christmas day post, I have to put up all our before Christmas happenings. So much happens the week before and the week of Christmas. Phew. Not sure how we squeezed in all that fun!

Loving on my girl in her smocked reindeer dress.

Emerson at her first Ole Miss basketball game.

She loved the M&Ms.

My Bat Boy

I stopped pushing the car to get a cute pic...she has an opinion these days.

I still succeeded :)

It was in the 60s and 70s for a few days, so we enjoyed some park time.

Everytime the swing stopped. See what I mean about having an opinion? Oh dear.

Baby Hewes was born!!!!! Stephen and Kate had their first baby, and it was a BOY!! Jacob Hewes Bell was born at 9lbs 6oz on December 12th. He is so very precious. Chubby cheeks, dark hair, sweetness....I can't wait to squeeze him!

She swiped a blue sucker at a bday party.

Coop had his Christmas program at school. He did such a great job! He sang "Go tell it on the mountain" and "Away in a Manger." Way to go, Coop! So proud of my buddy.

Oh the messes. I bet I clean up 25 messes a day. She makes it her mission to empty every cabinet, drawer, and basket every day. One year olds....it's a good thing they are so stinkin cute because mama is tired, and the messes have only begun.

Coop has this thing about penguins. He calls them "merp merps," and he loves all things penguin. So when his buddy at school gave everyone a pair of socks, and Coop's were merp merp socks, it was as if the floodgates of heaven had opened. Hahaha! 

We finally put Emerson's swing up on the back porch. She loves it so much. The boys were obsessed with swinging at her age, so I had a feeling she would share in the swing love. I was right! Giggles all around.

Carter's portrait came in! Merry Christmas to this mama!! I love it so much. My sweet baby boy looking so sweet and charming. Precious. Thanks, Hub, for tolerating my picture love even when it hits you right in the wallet :) Such a treasure.

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, this angel came into our lives. I can't believe it's been a year. What a year! What a baby! I am so thankful for the gift she is. 

Dear Emerson,

You are one year old today, sweet girl! I can't believe it's already time to write your birthday letter. I feel like you should still be a snugly newborn all swaddled and nestled in your swing. But hardly. You are a joyful, opinionated, on the move, mess making, giggly, nose scrunching ONE year old. 

The first birthday is such a bittersweet day. It's a celebration of babyhood survived, the celebration of bottles retired, naps dropped, infant car seats gone, contraptions passed on; it marks the ending of the itty bitty baby stage and the beginning of toddlerhood, the beginning of funny word pronunciations, toddling around the house, kisses starting to be blown, the beginning of Elmo, wearing shoes, dancing to music, a mouth full of teeth growing in, and yayas being drug all over. Much to be excited about and much to grieve. 

So I begin your first birthday letter with a full heart. As I look back over your first year, I can't help but smile. I can't even begin to put into words the fun we've had with you. All four of us have been smitten with you from the very moment we met you. You are our angel baby who's had a mom or a dad or grandparent or a brother in your face from the moment you've entered the world. 

Your brothers squeeze you, laugh at you, teach you tricks, bring you toys, make sure you aren't eating cat food, and scream at you when you break their toys. Your mom dresses you up like you are a baby doll, sticks bows in your hair, and bites your rolly arms and cheeks constantly. Your dad scratches your cheeks with his beard a hundred times a day, throws you in the air, blows your tummy, and squeezes your thighs, and you take all of it! We love you so.

You have never really cried a day in your life. You are a content one. Oh how I am thankful for that! Three kiddos is a load, but you have made it so manageable and enjoyable. You have just jumped right into the chaos and rolled with the punches. 

A few our favorite things about you are your fuzzy chick hair, your button nose, your squishiness...you were the butterball of all butterballs! (oh the rolls!), the way your sniff your nose to make us laugh, how proud of yourself you are when you master a new trick, your cow moos, the pats you give us on the back when we hug you, and how well you sleep. I love walking into your room in the morning to get you...you hand me your paci and yaya, and say, "All done!" And everytime I hand you something to eat or play with, you say, "Tank oo." 

You love your baths, squeezing Molly the cat, emptying cabinets and drawers (help!), being outside, milk, waffles, crawling under the kitchen table, the pantry, riding in your pink car, and being sung to. 

Emerson, you are a blessing, and I am so thankful God chose me to be your mama. I am absolutely loving watching you grow and discover the world. I can't wait to see how God grows you what He has in plan for this next year of your life, but for now, I'm just going to smell your fuzzy chick hair, squeeze your chubby thighs, and soak in every ounce of you.

I love my girl.

Happy Birthday to you.

Love,

Mama

Here's a glance back at your year:

The Birthday Girl

We had the sweetest birthday party for Emerson Saturday. It was so pink and yummy and special. She loved her cupcake, the presents, and most of all the part where everybody sang to her! She giggled and smiled so big. Love my girl. So thankful to the Lord for her and for such a blessed and joyful first year of life. 

Pre-party cheerios

All dressed up in Mama's dress.

The cousins came a little early to play :)

Here comes the good part....CAKE!

Yay!

 

Pure joy

First taste

She went all in!

Best picture of the party. Hahaha! That's my girl.

Aunt Jennifer helping E get every last crumb.

Digging into the presents afterwards.

BB cleaned up my entire house afterwards in typical BB fashion, and Pawpaw entertained the birthday girl.

And in the process, he got some slobbery kisses. Ha! Emerson's kisses are the most sweet and the most slobbery.

It was a special day celebrating our girl! My heart is full. 

Her actual birthday is this Saturday, so the celebrating has just begun!