Eight Eighteen

August 18 2012, is in the books. My sweet West is 3.

After staying up until about 12:30 the night before decorating the house for West. A trail of balloons from the 2nd floor downstairs, was a great start to the day. West's reaction still makes me laugh. Waking up to the balloons and streamers his first comment was, "OH MY GOSH!".
We went to get donuts for breakfast, and had a really rough time keeping West from opening his presents. We wanted to wait until everyone came over to open gifts, but West opened a few throughout the day. My dad cooked ribs, West's favorite meal, and a birthday tradition for him. We opened gifts, ate, played with all the new toys (a big green tractor included), and had cake and ice cream. My mom (Nana), dad (Patchy), Dimas, Uncle Don and Brandis (Aunty Boo) were all there to help celebrate. It was such a fun, special day for West.
I, of course was emotional and weepy all day. I remember when West was a week old. At exactly 1:28pm, I started bawling. And at 1:28pm on Saturday, I cried a little again. I was able to lay in bed and hug him and hold him, and snap a few pictures at that exact time.

It took me back to the moment that we met. The overwhelming sense of happiness and pride, was too much for me. I love this kid so much.

It's hard to believe that 3 short years ago I was trying to balance this enormous belly, and had no clue how amazing this new adventure would be.

On Sunday, we spent the day at Disneyland. It was such a perfect day. It was a hot, steamy day, but we lucked out and it was fairly empty.

We took our time, and were able to ride whatever we wanted. So Birthday 2012, was such a wonderful weekend, and we're now the proud parents of a 3 year old. The most perfect 3 year old little boy of all time.

Tomorrows come way too soon

Tomorrow is a big day. In fact, tomorrow is THE big day. I'll know August 18 as the defining date in my life. My sweet baby West was born. I cannot even believe that my amazing, funny, sweet as sugar, lovable, cuddly, little boy is going to be 3. I feel like crying just thinking about 3 wonderful years that I have had the ultimate pleasure to be a part of. I never knew how big my heart could get, and how much I could love this little person until August 18. In fact, on August 15, 2009, I cried my eyes out, because I was terrified I wouldn't know what to do, and I was terrified at how mine and Edmund's life would never be the same. I had no idea how right I would be. These three years have been so special and so incredible, that even though I am sad that my little boy is getting older, I know that each year that I get to watch him, and nurture him, and love him, everything will just get better. Everything before my life with West in it, is a great memory, but everything since then is the most special time I've had in my life.

West on his birthday, West at 1, and West on his 2nd birthday

I love you my precious West. You are my everything. I love you more everyday. You are the light of our eyes. You have brought such incredible joy to our lives.
Your daddy and I love you more than you will ever know.
I'm so excited to spend another birthday at Disneyland and continue our family tradition.
Love, Mommy

Fancy seeing you here

It's been a while since my last post, and I do mean a while. I have been occupied with work, and life. But alas, I have some free time to dedicate to the blog, so here I am.
Baby West is not such a baby anymore. We are 15 days away from him turning 3, and the thought of that is both scary and amazing. Scary, because time has flown by. I can think back to this time 3 years ago, and I can clearly see my HUGE pregnant self, lounging around at home, on my early maternity leave, preparing to meet West. It's as clear as if it were happening right now. 3 years ago, it's mind blowing actually. And of course it's also amazing. For 3 years Ed and I have been able to keep this precious little person alive. This is saying a lot since neither one of us had ever held a baby until we had West. We got our money's worth in those hospital parenting classes. 3 years of laughs, cries, stress, happiness, pride, exhaustion, excitement, frustration, and we're still surviving. This little boy is the light of our lives. I look at him and smile. I look at him and my heart almost hurts because I love him so much. Everything he does is special to me. Every laugh, every new word, every attempt at a conversation that we have, every hug, every snuggle, and every time he says 'I love you Mama', is as amazing as the first time.  I could actually write for days about everything that makes me love West, but then I wouldn't get to enjoy him. Trust me, he is incredible.

West meeting Handy Manny at Disneyland for the first time.

I'm hoping to keep this current. Ed and I do so many amazing and fun things with West, I hope that one day we can all look back at this and remember how much fun we always had.