Dashton Blue is Four Plus Two

To My Sweet and Silly Dashy,

Here I sit, on the eve of your sixth birthday and I’m in awe at how quickly time passed us yet again. I feel like I was just writing your 5^th birthday letter, and Just Like That…it’s one year later!

As a mommy, I wish that I could hit a “pause button” on time- just so I could savor these sweet years with my two adorable yet super fast growing sons.

So it is within these annual letters that I can pause…remember…smile…and maybe even shed a few tears.

Your 5^th year brought you from a teeny tiny nugget into the makings of a big boy.

You attended Pre-K at Step Forward Day School 5 days per week with your teachers: Ms. Tina, Ms. Sherri, and Ms. Kristen.  Daddy and I noticed how quickly you were growing in vocabulary and writing! We were and are continuously amazed at your hunger to learn! Of course it was not all business at your school. Days were filled with so much joy- crafts, outdoor play and making lots of friends. When I would pick you up, you couldn’t wait to open your little monogramed school bag, pull out your folder, and show me what you’d made and learned that day.

What I will remember most, and miss so very much, is the space in the mornings after we dropped your brother off at school. Typically we were first or second in the car lane at Step Forward and we would have a good 20 minutes to wait until your teachers came to walk you in to your classroom. 

“Mama…can I come up and cuddle you,” you’d say.

How could I resist?

And so I’d hear the un-click of the seatbelt, and your tiny little body would crawl from the back seat and fit perfectly into my lap.

This became our ritual. 

Mornings spent together…just us: cuddling, singing, making silly videos, taking selfies, learning abc’s, and talking to Mimi on the phone before you hopped out of the car to begin your day.

Those days are gone! Never again will we have that time. You, cozy in my lap, giving me sweet snuggles and professing your innocent love for me…

“You are my guuuurfwend, mommy”….”I want to maaweee you”

"You are the most beautiful-est mommy"

And just like that- I would melt!!

I remember reading a blog before you were born about the age where boys would tell their mamas they would want to marry them. I always thought it was so sweet, silly, and hilarious.

And Just Like That…you, my own son, was saying it to me!

Fifth Year Favorites Included:

Superheroes- any and all, Legos (mama steps on them all of the time...OUCH), Minecraft, Nerf Wars with Camden and our neighbors, rocking out yoga poses, demonstrating your flexibility by throwing down the splits whenever and wherever you could (sounds like someone else I know), playing with your pups: Buddy (our new rescue dog) and Wiley, and getting your yellow belt in tae kwan do, and rocking out to music! 

You also developed a love for green smoothies and have a slight obsession with broccoli!

This summer spent as a Mommy was my favorite thus far! A trip to Smith Lake was how it began! Carefree and unplugged hours spent on the water and jumping off the dock! Celebrating our family! 

Back in Franklin: both you and Camden were just independent enough to play outside together but still very into spending time with me!! Our trips to the pool were always filled with relaxing fun. Getting to work with you on your swimming (like I did with your brother a year prior) is time that I will always treasure! You aren’t swimming laps yet, but you will be by next summer. As the hours became days and the days turned to months…Just Like That…you started kindergarten.

Witnessing you step out of the car, your way-too-big bag slung across your tiny back, walking side by side with your brother was truly an image I will never forget. There you went…confident, ready, and full of excitement! Never once did you express fear!

Currently you LOVE math and checking out informational animal books from the library. You also like to chase your little friend Margo around on recess, but you insist she is NOT your girlfriend! :)

And a conformist you are NOT!! Understanding the ins and outs of elementary school has been a tad overwhelming for you.

“There are just SO MANY RULES,” you exclaimed!

Oh sweet boy, your spirit is wild like mine! Your intellect and intensity runs deep- like your Daddy. I sometimes worry that you will be a “learn it the hard way” type of kiddo like I was. I pray that is not the case and that you follow in the footsteps of your rule following Daddy as you make your way through these adolescent and teenage years!

I asked you what you wanted to be when you grow up a few days ago and you told me “An Artist”! How I loved to hear this, because your creativity is one of your most beautiful traits! That little mind of yours…it’s ALWAYS working.

Your sass is endless…your spunk contagious, and you are one pokey little dude!!

It takes you FOREVER to complete a task! All in Dashy’s time!!

Which brings me to the word: Patience.

This virtue has never been my strong suit. It’s been something that I’ve wrestled with for years.

Dashy- YOU, my son, are teaching me Patience! There are days where I want to pull my hair out because it’s taking you SO long to get ready, make your bed, eat your breakfast, put on your shoes, get your shower, put away your toys, come inside, wash your hands, get out of the car, and eat your meals.

As I pause to think of how frustrating this can be, I also find myself smiling.

Everyday I learn from you…

You teach me about the world through your innocent eyes and honest voice.

You inherited the gift of gab from your mama…

It is rare that you’re not speaking- communicating your wants, needs, dreams, and your take of the world around you.

Dashton Blue, you are HILARIOUS!!! A little comedian with whom it is almost impossible to stay mad.

Your spirit infections, your giggle contagious, and your heart is PURE GOLD!

Although it’s only been six years since you arrived, I cannot recall what my world was like without the gift of YOU!

So tonight…and tomorrow…and everyday thereafter, I give thanks that I was chosen to be your mama!!

And Just Like That…I say: Happy 6^th Birthday To My Little Boy Bleu!

I love you more than words could ever say!

Camden Boos Is In 7th Heaven!

                 January 7, 2008

Camden Boos!!!!

Tonight I am filled with so many emotions... Love, Joy, and Disbelief to name a few!

How in the world are YOU turning 7…SEVEN?!!!!

I am transporting myself back to 2008 this very eve:

A crazy big belly and inside dwelled a little boy who was content to stay close to his Mama for just a little longer than expected.  There I was...lying in the hospital room, hooked up to machines, not able to eat or drink, awaiting your arrival!

It was a long sleepless night with very little progression.

I remember your Daddy saying on January 3, 2008, your due date, “We should discuss inducing…” to which I replied:

“He is welcome to stay in there as long as he’d like…”

Despite the fact that I loved you so much already, I was terrified to meet you…I’d never even changed a diaper!

What if I was an epic fail of a parent? What if I didn’t know what you needed? How would I understand the meaning of each cry?

Until meeting your Daddy, I never really pictured myself as a parent. I wasn’t sure I had what it took. Mostly I was scared to death! 

It was the unconditional love of your Dad that made me realize I was in fact destined to be a Mommy…YOUR Mommy!

After 28 hours, via C-section, littlest you was born!

I am still able to relive the first moment when I saw the miracle of you held above the big blue surgical curtain…hearing your first cry.

It was in that instant that I was certain…you, Camden Jon Weber, were going to change me forever!

Days turned to weeks, which evolved into months. A love that I never knew existed was continuing to grow in my heart by the day. I was enamored by your teeny tiny hands, sweet little mouth, chubby Buddha belly…and your peacefully innocence.

Everything was suddenly for you and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

From your first smile, word, trip to the ocean, and full nights sleep, to your first steps and everything in between - 2008 was the best year of my life!

I am so grateful that I can still revisit many of those moments like they were yesterday. A gift from God, I do believe!

Here we are…living in the year 2014! How did we arrive here so quickly?

Camden, every day my heart swells with pride for the little boy that you are!

Spunky, silly, and full of sass, (I have no idea where you got these qualities J) yet the most tender and loving heart!

You love freely and abundantly and want to make sure everyone around you is safe and happy.

In tune with what others feel, already you show empathy far grander than your years.

You’re an inspiring big brother to our wild man, Dash. I am so proud of the example you set! He has the best footsteps to follow; and yet, you both stand strong in your unique little selves.

This year has brought about a lot of firsts:

First Year Of Homework: Something Mommy wishes you didn’t have. You’re only 7 and I want you to be able to be silly with your brother after school. Nevertheless, we have all adapted, and I’m so proud of how well you’re doing this year in First Grade! You are reading everything in site these days!!!

Remember- Mommy and Daddy don’t require you to be “the best”…we just want you to “do your best”.

The Loss Of Your First Tooth: Make that four to date!! This holiday season we sang a lot of:

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth

You are absolutely darling toothless and I remember vividly when you had none at all!

First Dance Class: Hip Hop Hooray!!

First Swim: At first very afraid, once I presented you with a goal, you rocked the length of the pool this summer! After you did it the first time, you couldn’t get enough. The look of pride you wore that day was priceless!

First Time Owning A Big Mistake: Despite your fear, you voluntarily visited the principals office to apologize for being careless on the school bus, and for that, you were rewarded with a “shout out” for being proactive over the loudspeaker! A proud moment for your Mama!

First Board Break: In Tae Kwon Do...we have this on video! It’s another moment where you were shining so brightly with a glowing yet quiet excitement!

First Bike Ride: You completely taught yourself how to do this! I will never forget looking out of the Grant’s window this summer to you riding that bike like you’d been doing it for years!  

First Time Sleeping in a Tee Pee- A Christmas Gift from Santa!! It’s a constant quest for a camp out these days…in your playroom, that is! J

First Time Watching White Christmas- Mommy’s Favorite!! You hung in the whole time…

My Sweet Camden, I’ll never fully be able to express the love that I have for you…my first-born! My littlest Lookalou! 

You are my definition of JOY! The beginning of an evolution within my soul that has led me to the woman I am today!

As we approach the big boy years, I am comforted by the qualities that you already posses: manners, love and concern for others, a newly acquired patience that I can only hope continues to grow, determination, and truth! Your willingness to express your emotions is a trait I vow to honor and help cultivate! I can only imagine the talks that we will have as you grow…and I promise to always listen to your heart!

I still tell you daily to: “Slow Down”, to which you always reply with a sly little smile: “ I can’t!”

Each night before I go to sleep, I come to your room one last time, unplug your red lava lamp and the multicolored lights that hang on your bed, and I kiss you goodnight. Most often you open your eyes and say in a raspy whisper: “Mooooomy…I love you” and my heart melts every single time.

We are bonded in a way that tugs at my heartstrings and I am forever grateful that I was chosen to be your Mommy!

Happy Birthday My “Teeny Tiny Teeny Tiny Lookalou” I can’t wait to explore this 7^th year with you!!

“Love You As Much As You Love Me”,

 Mama

Dash Smashes Into FIVE!

Happy 5^th Birthday "Dash Smash"

October 14, 2014

It’s 11pm on the night before your 5^th birthday! As you innocently sleep in your Ninja Turtles sheets with your little arms behind your head, I am sitting on our deck surrounded by the sounds of the wind in the trees and the frogs in the creek. I am cozy wrapped up under a blanket and under autumn’s night sky.

Reflecting on how quickly time passes, I am taken back to this eve exactly one year ago. Our family was living in our quant little half packed up rental awaiting the completed construction of our new home. Camden had just begun Kindergarten and you, my Shooner, were still teeny tiny…just hours away from turning 4!

My mind now wonders the memory path of this night five years past…

Daddy and I were filled with joy, anticipation, and wonderment.

We already knew we were expecting a boy and that his name would be Dashton Bleu Weber...yet the excitement of the unknown, and my big belly that kept you safe and sound, prevented me from a good night’s sleep.

Who was this little miracle? Would he be olive skinned like his Daddy or fair like Mommy? Would his eyes be blue or green? How much would he weigh? Would he be a peaceful or challenging baby…the questions continued to flood my mind.

Hours later, you were presented to me by Doctor Storck, (yes..that’s really her name and the very reason Mommy selected her to bring you into the world) and all the questions vanished. Despite the fact that the future was unknown, from the very moment I held you in my arms, I KNEW you!!!

Days tuned to weeks, weeks to months, and soon enough your first year had passed! An early talker, you had no problems with telling us what your little heart did and did not desire. 

Dashy, you have always been a boy of strength. Proving doctors wrong from very early on when we were told that your delayed gross motor skills and walking could be due to muscular dystrophy.

Although small… our boy is mighty!

- Your little cartoon character/southern gangster voice never gets old.

- Your big eyes see the world in a way that reminds me to open mine wider.

- Your big red lips are going to make a girl swoon someday, but for now…they are mommy’s!

- Your level of energy is unwavering and the word “no” does not compute in your brain

Your soul is bright, bold, beautiful and reminds me of the roar of the ocean and a sunset at the beach…every color represented and intertwined with brilliance.

Sky is the limit for you, my son…my sun!

You make no apologies for who you are and for what you stand!

I hope that you always walk though life with your head and chin help up as high as you do at such a young age.

Littlest...YOU are my wild card!

Untamed is your spirit…for which I can relate; and I promise to work everyday to help channel and not filter your zest for life. 

This year has held many exciting adventures in the land of Super Dash…

Last October, you began your journey with martial arts and one year later you zipped through four belts and became the youngest kiddo to receive your yellow belt and advance to the “Big Kids Class”. You showed no fear as you stood up all alone in a room full of people to test your form and I recall thinking: “There is no stopping this boy”.

You also began to take to swimming by summers end and watching how proud you were of yourself when you first swam under water still makes my heart skip a beat! 

Other loves are art, music, singing from the top of your lunges, dancing hip hop with Miss Tara and your brother, riding and feeding the horses at Kindred Spirits Farm, living in an endless and impressive land of make believe with Cam, playing super heroes with your buddies at school, and loving on your Mommy and Daddy. 

Recapping all of this, your world, fills my heart with joy! I still can’t believe it’s been five years…and yet I feel like my soul has known yours for an eternity. 

Today I asked you if you had a girlfriend at school to which you replied with a smile …”I have a guwerl fwrend and her name is Mommy”.

Sweet Dashy, I adore you more than words can describe and with all the hustle and bustle of our lives you remind me to keep it simple and silly!

So as we walk together hand in hand out of your 4^th and into your 5^th year of Life I promise to live boldly and fearlessly right along side of you! 

Being your Mommy is an honor and watching you spread those tiny wings into the realm of the great unknown inspires me every single day!

Happiest Birthday My Little Boy Bleu, My Shoon Dig A Doon, My Wacka Packa, My Poods, My Crazyack, My Littlest, My Love…My Son...My Sun!

I Love Love Love You “Sixty and A Hundred”