Rock a bye....

Last year around Christmas time, Talent decided that he wanted to stop being rocked to sleep. He even pushed my rocking chair to the door and told me he wanted me to take it out. So, I moved it across the hall to our junk room. We started a new bedtime routine and he hasn't been rocked since.

Tonight, I put Talent to bed. We read books, said Goodnight Moon, and said our prayers. I kissed him and told him I loved him, then left the room. I could hear him as I sat in the living room and read. He was playing with some of his stuffed animals and talking. Finally about an hour after I had put him to bed, I heard his bedroom door open. I heard his little voice calling out "Mommy". When I went in there to see what was wrong, he said, "Mommy rock!"  How could I turn that down? I picked him up and took him to the living room and rocked him.

As I sat in the chair rocking this precious little boy, all I could think about was how blessed I am. I never thought I would enjoy being a mom as much as I do. Being able to teach Talent things and watch him grow and learn has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. Someone asked me last week if parents post pictures and things of their children on social media out of obligation. My response to that was, no, I post pictures and things because I truly enjoy my child. I truly enjoy parenthood. I'm sure there are some that post to make themselves feel better, but I am not one of them. I love my boy. I love being a parent. Aside from being Seth's wife, I think this is one thing I was born to do.

I am glad my baby let me hold him and enjoy the little moments of rocking him tonight. Just having that time to hold him was sweet. It doesn't happen often. I cherish those little moments. He's a handful. But, I'm thankful that he's my handful. I love him so very much.

OH NO!!!

I am sitting here in the living room "Christmas Shopping" on my laptop while Talent watches Mickey Mouse. He is growing so much. Pete (a character on Mickey Mouse) was just shrunk down to the size of a pea and Talent turned around with this terrified look and said, "OH NO!" He is talking so much lately. All of these funny phrases and words keep spewing out of his mouth and he is always making me laugh. Some of the things he says still have to be interpreted for others, but, he's talking. He's making an effort instead of just pointing. I see all of this progress he's making and it makes me so proud.

The funniest and sweetest thing he has said lately is that he is "Mommy's baby"....not Daddy's, not Gee's, not Nee Nee's, not Poppy's, or Pawpaw's....MOMMY'S! He's very specific about it and it makes me laugh when I ask him whose baby he is. He also has like a shouting match when you tell him you love him. You say, "I love you, Talent" and he will say, "Love Mommy" and if you say "I love you" again he will scream, "Love MOMMY!" as loud as he can. It's hilarious.

This kid is getting big fast. He loves his Daddy and is already developing a love for sports. Each night when Seth gets home he begs him to lay on the couch with him and watch "Daddy ball". He doesn't want to go to bed on time because he is watching ball with his Daddy. He misses his Daddy when he is gone and will walk around saying "Daddy bye bye" until his Daddy comes home. I love watching their relationship grow. It's precious to me.

So much in our world is changing as he grows and gets bigger. I'm so excited to see what his future holds. We are enjoying all that he brings to our lives. Talent has been one of the biggest blessings of our lives and we are so thankful for him.

Early reader!

Most of you know that I read with Talent all the time. We read during the day. We read at least four or five books before bed each night. We read short books, long books, Bible stories, and silly books. My best friend sent us books a while back about trucks and super heroes. He loves those. 

For Halloween my other best friend, Talent's Aunt Boo, bought him books since he can't have all the goodies all the other kids can. One of the books was called, "Hug" by Jez Alborough. It is a very easy read. Very few words. It's about a monkey named Bobo who sees all of the other animals in the jungle hugging and he wants a hug but can't find his Mommy. An elephant helps him find his Mommy and he ends up getting his hug. 

We have been reading this book for the last couple of nights. Tonight Talent read the book to me! He knew when to say "hug" and when to say "Mommy" and "Bobo" and I didn't have to prompt him to do it! He even wanted to come read it to his Daddy! I'm sure this is more from memory than actually reading it but still, it is exciting. It shows that reading with him is a great thing!  It is paying off in a big way! 

I love seeing him make all of this progress! I love watching him try new things...especially reading! So to say that I am a proud Momma tonight would be an understatement! I am beyond excited for him to have read this book to me tonight! He's a smarty. Seth and I are so lucky!