Boots, Bows, & the 5-OH: Happy 1st Birthday Bryar!!!!

I almost cried while typing my headline. Honestly. I am actually starting this post on Wednesday night because I am seriously scared that I may not be able to finish it in time due to all of the tears that I keep trying to hold back. A little emotional, huh? Isn't that to be expected when your baby turns one? The baby that very well could be your last baby? Most of all, Bryar will always be my baby; no matter what just like Charli Beth is.

A year ago on this day, Bryar Wayne arrived very quickly at 2:03 a.m. and weighed 4 lbs and 4 oz. The thought of that night still gives me chills,. The happiness that surrounded me and how anxious we all were to meet our little guy that we knew would be a spitting image of his Daddy. Then the spending the next 20 days being very sleep deprived and making it to the NICU every 3 hours on the dot to see him. I was the most annoying Mom ever. I remember hearing them say "It is Bryar's Mom, she is always on time." I had to be because just as much as that tiny baby needed me, I needed him and his comfort to get through his struggling time of getting healthier.

It is amazing to think back at how quickly time has flown by. I hate to question of why it must be and why we cannot cherish the moments longer than we are able too. But I know just as I heard on the radio before I started squalling like a baby myself, "You're gonna miss this" and I am! In fact, I already do. But the wonderful thing to know is that we are blessed with another day to make more amazing memories together as family. God is so good and we are so blessed to be the parents of this amazing child along with his beautiful sister.

Weight: 17 lbs

Height: 29 in

Clothes: 12 months due to length and size 3 diapers

Food: Bryar loves to eat anything that we are eating, and that he is able to "gum." Some of his most favorite foods are refried beans, green beans, pinto beans, carrots, potatoes. He also is still loving the yogurt blends and yobaby. Bryar's formula is still at 8 oz and around 3-4 times a day.

Sleep: Still not sleeping through the night, but it will not/cannot last forever.

Toys: His favorite toys to play with are balls, books, and little people. He just loves to throw and chase after things.

Other: He has learned to blow kisses recently, but typically will take the kisses that you blow at him and put them in his mouth. Haha, we are working on it! We are also trying to help him become more brave on standing alone. He seems to have zero interest in it still, and will always fall into us. Although, he has stood by himself for quite sometime. He just laughs shyly and tries to reach out for us. His love for climbing has reached an all new high recently, from the dishwasher to fireplace. It scares me to death and I am constantly pulling him back away from it, so hopefully this will pass soon and he can move on something not as hard as the brick fireplace to play on.

I made Bryar a photo book for his first year (0-11) months to have at his birthday party. I actually rushed way to quickly on this project but I am in love with how it turned out and the memories that it holds. At the end of the book, Curtis and I both wrote letters to Bryar and I decided to use mine again as the letter to my baby. If you would like to view the book, click here.

Baby Bryar,

The Lord could not have blessed our family with a more perfect gift than you. Every day being a Mommy to you and Charli is the greatest accomplishment and gift I have ever been given. The love that I have for you is more than words can ever express.

I pray for you daily to grow into a strong Man, just like your Daddy is. You have so many of his characteristics yet so many of Charli Beth's. You are the best of both worlds to me and I could see this in you as they placed you in my arms for the first time. I cannot wait to watch you grow and accomplish more milestones with each passing day.

My heart aches at this bittersweet time that we are coming upon, I wish that time could stand still and I could hold you forever in my arms and keep you safe from the worldly things. Although, I do promise to love and teach you about the Lord and how to be a strong yet fun person. You will accomplish great things, for "You Are My I Love You".

Love,
Mommy