Papito:

You're FIVE months! I'm so thankful to have you in my life. Sometimes I look at you and get the same feeling I get when I look up at the stars. It's this mind boggling wonderment. You grew inside of me? My body just knows how to put a person together? You couldn't stay awake for more than an hour at one time and now you're bouncing around and laughing for hours? You're eventually going to be a teenager? Amazing. And the best part is that you're going to keep being my little miracle. Forever. I don't ever want to take you for granted.

The past few weeks have been full of all kinds of emotion. The painful reality of our world's brokenness was felt by many when we heard about the gun violence that claimed three lives-- one from Seattle Pacific University and two from Reynolds High School. It's difficult to sit with the emotion that comes with these types of events. Confusion, grief, loss, anger, pain... I know I can't shield you from experiencing these, as much as I would like to. But always remember that there will be people to walk alongside you through dark times. I hope to be one of those for as long as possible. Together, we can experience healing, forgiveness, peace, hope and joy. We just have to be patient through the process.

Last week we got to celebrate the fathers in our midst! We're both fortunate enough to have dads that love us more than we'll ever really know. We don't need a commercialized holiday to appreciate them, although it's kinda nice to have a reminder.

It was love at first poopy diaper.

Father/son nap. Precious.

 

 

 

Grandpapa <3

It's late and we've got a new summer day to enjoy together tomorrow. So this is me signing out for tonight. Love you my little guy.

Mom

Amor mio:

The weeks have gotten away from me! Since the last time I wrote to you, you've had your first airplane trip, we've seen dad twice, started a new month, and changed more poopy diapers than I would ever care to keep track of. Phew! You keep growing strengthening your little body and have shown a remarkable improvement in your motor skillz. Look at you holding yourself up and using your hands:

You were not doing this a month ago.

 Wow. The joy that I get from watching you do things that seem so simple (what?! you just reached to grab something?! On purpose?!?) is pretty incredible. And talk about how happy you can make a total stranger by simply smiling! When I smile at people that don't know me, I'm lucky if they acknowledge me back. You'll outgrow your baby powers eventually, but hopefully you'll retain enough innocent love to keep spreading it in other ways.

Let's talk about your first time on an aeroplane.

Best travel buddy ever.

You did so great! People are generally extra nice to anyone with babies, so we had absolutely no problem getting through security and onto the plane.  I barely slept on our way to Chicago cause I was being a little paranoid about you ending up on the floor, but you didn't seem to mind one bit that we were thousands of feet from the earth. Slept like the peaceful little baby that you are the whole way there and on our trip back.

Once we got to Chicago you got to hang out with this guy:

The big and the little.

 Your papa loves you so much and I can tell you love him just as much back!

Peas in a pod.

 It's hard to believe it's finally NOT winter in Chicago any more, but I guess the rumors are true! We enjoyed the nice weather at a food cart event in the parking lot of the White Sox stadium, which was really only worth it for us non-milk-only-consuming folk cause we go to meet up with a couple friends and enjoy each other's company.

Casual gaze at Sox park.

A rough start...

... to a beautiful new friendship with tia Alisa.

 Your homecoming also consisted of a walk in the grass in front of grandma Vanessa's house.

Hello Mama Earth

Here's a visual of all the changes that have happened in the past couple months:

Remember this one?

Oh. My.

 The two days we had in Chi-town went way too quickly. But we had a lot of fun while it lasted :)

Back in Oregon you were greeted with a new friend, a fun bouncer from tia Miranda, and your first (short-lived) experience sitting in a high chair.

Twinsies!

Kangaroo style.

You really think I'm ready for this??

We've got a ton a fun to look forward to this summer. Let the adventures continue.

My endless love to you,

Mom