Griffin {twelve months}

And just like that Griffin’s monthly pictures are done. That is probably a very good thing because trying to keep him in one place for more than two seconds is pretty much impossible. And the fact that I was fast enough to get any pictures of him lying on the quilt was a miracle. It was definitely time to be done.

Dear Griffin,

A year ago I was holding you in my arms marveling at the fact that I had two boys and how much you looked like your sissy. A sweet gift from the Lord. We were just getting to know each other. The past year has been difficult at times as you have been a hard little boy to figure out, but even on the hard days you have brought so much joy to our family. At first I thought you would be pure sweetness like your sister, but you are proving to have your very own personality (of course, we knew you would!). I think you would best be described as sweet, stubborn, silly, and brave.

You are sweet. Your moments of sweetness are like glimpses of your sister. It is so crazy how much you can remind me of her. You are a snuggler and I love that. You can snuggle with your mama anytime. And that sweet little smile of yours makes my day, everyday.

You are stubborn. You know what you want and you go after it. If you can’t get what you want you plant your face on the floor and wail. Drama. It is actually quite humorous now, but something we will have to work on.

You are silly. You love to tease people and play shy with strangers. You giggle the most at your brother’s crazy antics or when I catch you climbing up the stairs.

You are brave. You get into things and climb up things that your brother never even tried. You seem pretty fearless which can be a little frightening to your mama. I have a feeling you will be pulling your cautious brother along to try some of your stunts very soon.

I am praying that as you grow, these character traits that are already emerging would be character traits that you allow the Lord to use in your life for His glory. He has big plans for you, baby boy!

A few other things that have happened this month:

-Your official first word was “moo”. You love your cows. You say “Mmm” when eating something tasty, it sounds like you say “hi” when you wave, and we think you might have said “dada” a few days ago. You should really try to say “mama” soon. Most of the time you just yell to tell us what you want. You are always yelling.

-You are a climber. This month I have found you standing on a chair that you climbed onto, climbing up the stairs, climbing in the dishwasher, and climbing on the four wheeler. I always have to keep on eye on you.

-You love Levi’s little bike and ride it all over the house. It also was the cause of a big crash and cut on your forehead.

-You are finally sleeping through the night again. It only took you a year (read with sarcasm)!! You might actually turn into a good little sleeper.

-You are taking one nap in the afternoon most days. Goodbye morning nap.

-You have four teeth on top and three on bottom…and working on more! Slobbering all the time.

-You are the messiest eater ever. Even with a bib on you somehow manage to completely trash your cloths and the floor after a meal. I am getting to be really good at sweeping the floor.

-This month your farmer wave turned into a little beauty pagent wave. You turn your hand back and forth and open and close it. So cute.

-You love to watch a movie with Levi after nap. You clap when the Veggie Tales song come on. And you have to have a snack and milk just like him.

-You love anything with wheels. You drive cars and tractors all over the house when you play.

-You love to be outside. You crawl all around the yard trying to keep up with your brother. You are getting much better about not putting sand and rocks in your mouth. And you always cry when it is time to go in. Always.

-You are starting to love your daddy and the farm as much as your brother. You get so excited when you see your daddy’s truck and love to go for rides up and down the driveway. You love to take four wheeler and tractor rides and your brother is trying to learn how to share his “farm time” with you. So hard. And the best part of the farm is seeing the cows. I think I already said it…but you really love cows.

Griffin, I am so thankful for the past year God has entrusted you to us. It is a joy to be your mama and I can’t wait to see how you grow in the year to come…just don’t grow too fast!

Love you, buddy!

Love, Mama