Judah Turns 1...

Today, I think I've experienced just about every emotion possible as Judah turns one. Happy, because he's such a blessing and brings so much joy to others. Sadness, because as hard as I've tried to soak every moment up, it's still passed by too quickly. Thankful, because it is an honor to have been given this precious little gift and excited about the ways that he's growing and changing.

Being a mom has taught me what true love looks like. Motherhood is the ultimate sacrifice as you give up your time, your body, your lifestyle and your freedom to nurture a new little life. But miraculously, it's worth all of it. Every morning snuggle session, a deep belly laugh or watching Judah discover something new is what makes my new role worth it. Still can't believe that he's ours for forever!

Here's a little something just for you my precious boy!

Judah,

From the moment that I first saw you, my heart grew a size bigger and was immediately filled with love for you. I've tried my best not to worry too much and to allow you room to grow and explore. My favorite time of day is when I pick you up from your crib and bring you into bed to nurse and snuggle with you. Becoming your mom has allowed me to learn so many new things about who I am and how to depend on Jesus more to. He is so good to us and my prayer is that you will experience the love that the Father has for you. I can't wait to watch you grow this next year!

I love you and Happy Birthday sweet boy!
                                                                                                                                

                                   

 

                            

                                 

Judah's 6 Month Pictures

The saying is most certainly true that "for the young the days go fast and the years go slow; for the old the days go slow and the years go fast". I cannot believe that Judah has been in our lives for nearly a year now. He is truly such a joy and it's difficult for me to imagine my life without him.

 As much as I miss the squishy, cuddle-filled newborn days, it is so much fun watching him roll, laugh, babble and make messes during meals. I want to bottle up each new thing that he does so that I'll never forget his curiosity, his sweet sounds or simply his innocence.

On the hard days, it's truly amazing that after he takes a nap, my heart usually misses him and I can't wait to scoop him up again. Even after the hardest nights, all it takes is one little giggle in the morning (and let's be honest a cup of coffee or two) to melt my heart and I'm putty in his little hands.
I cannot believe how much I love Judah and to know that my heavenly Father loves me more and is intimately aware of my thoughts, my heartbeats and each breath I take is absolutely incredible. I'm so thankful that He has allowed me to see the parallels between motherhood and my relationship with Him. He is so gracious with us and I'm so grateful for the way He shows up in the most tender ways.

All too soon Judah will be crawling, walking and talking and I will yearn for these days I have with him now, so I'm trying my best to savor this time and not let the days blur together.
                                                                                                       

        

Maternity Pictures

I'm currently sitting here staring at my handsome two week year old baby boy and I cannot believe that just a few days ago I was big and pregnant. It's already odd to think about how our lives looked without Judah being apart of it but looking at these pictures makes me want to be pregnant all over again. I didn't think it was possible to think that thought so soon after giving birth but there is nothing like knowing that little life inside you is dependent upon you even before you've ever met.

Pregnancy is truly a miraculous experience and I feel privileged and blessed to have walked through these last nine months and have now entered motherhood. Giving birth was the most difficult and yet most rewarding thing that I've ever done but it's worth every second of waiting once you lock eyes with your baby.  My heart is truly overflowing with gratitude to the Lord for a healthy pregnancy and delivery and I cannot believe that I have the privilege of being Judah's mom. This morning we took our newborn pictures and I cannot wait to lay my eyes on them, until then I'm satisfied treasuring these sweet pregnant moments that our friend Liz captured (she's taken all of our photos since our engagement and we love her so! ). Happy a happy week friends! Photos by Elizabeth Claire Photography.
                                                                                                   

And Baby Makes Three

It's true!! Drew and I are expecting our first baby this September! This has been the hardest secret for me to keep and it is a well known fact with my friends that I can't keep happy news secret for very long. We are so thankful and overjoyed with this life that the Lord has given to us and cannot wait to meet this little person growing inside me.

I'm 15 weeks and have thankfully been feeling well. I didn't experience morning sickness and am thanking the Lord daily for it. I've had a huge appetite and have had low energy but overall I just can't stop smiling from the sheer amount of happiness that I feel. I keep telling Drew that I'm ready for a little bump to appear so that I can show the world on the outside our little secret. 

I cannot wait to see Drew become a father. My heart feels like bursting thinking about how well he is going to love this little peanut. I'm so blessed by the way he has shown me his support with late night ice cream runs, countless back rubs and the way that he can calm me in an instant when my twirly mind foolishly looks up symptoms on my pregnancy app. He's simply the best and I'm so thankful that I get to parent alongside him.

            

 

*My two personal favorites... telling him we're gonna be parents and our attempts at baby bumps (also I think he was going for Derrick Zoolander in the shot on the right ha ha!)

It's going to be an another adventure and I simply cannot wait for September to be here already! Are you a new mom or expecting your first baby? I'd love to hear how you're doing! Any other September mommas out there? Much love...