say it isn't so

Recently I saw this quote, “Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body.” Oh how true it is. My heart is forever exposed to the world and held in the hand of my baby.

How is it that I have a one year old? This bubbly, bouncing, beautiful baby boy-- the one I worked tirelessly to bring into this world-- is one year old, today.

Be still my heart! Time goes too fast.



Reese is such a joy to have as a child. Feisty yes, but I would expect nothing less from a child with my genes. I can’t imagine ever having another baby, because we really hit it out of the park this first time. Perfect? No. But perfect for us.

The older he gets the more fun he becomes. I could spend all day chasing him around the house, listening to his cackle, and watching him explore his toys {and other things better left alone}. He is at such a curious age. Lofton and I wrestle with keeping him safe while not tempering his curiosity. I’m positive his curiosity is a sign of high intelligence.

What is he doing at this age? Walking, he is faster and surer on his feet everyday. Eating, any and everything {except bananas} we give him. Working on giving up the bottle, we are down to a morning bottle and a nighttime bottle—sippy cups in between. By Halloween we will be bottle free. Growling, yelling, and laughing to get our attention; no words yet! Occasionally “Mama” will slip through his pouty lips, but only when he is very tired or very upset. I’m not sure it’s intentional.

Reese has also come to understand the word “No” or “No sir, Reese Beasley.” Like I said, we are really struggling with letting him explore the world and keeping him in one squishy piece.

Intolerable behaviors that are intruding into our daily lives are; chewing on the dining room table like a beaver, pulling Jake and/or Raleigh’s tails and ears, biting my shoulder, spitting in our faces when he is done eating, and standing in the bathtub. If a firm “no” does not curb his actions, a swift smack to his meaty thigh usually does the trick. It also elicits a deep and dramatic, tear-filled wail. Sometimes it lasts for two minutes, sometimes ten—with this kid you never know.

Parenting is a wonderful, wacky adventure I never could have fully prepared myself for. I know we are in for a wild ride with this little man, but I wake up everyday so grateful. Grateful to God for bestowing upon Lofton and I this AWESOME responsibility. I go to sleep at night full of prayer’s for Reese’s future and full of thanks that I am this little man’s mama.



Happy first birthday, boo-boo! I love you to the moon and back.