Month 12

Dear Luke-

I just looked at Daddy and told him I don't want to start writing, because as soon as I do, I know I'm going to lose it. Baby boy. I just put you to bed for the last time before you turn the big 1 tomorrow! A year ago right now, I was getting my epidural, full of excitement and crazy nerves and so ready to meet you. Now, after what seems like the blink of an eye, a whole year has gone by, and you are such a big boy. You are my best friend, and I am your number one fan. During your bath tonight I couldn't help but think about the first time we gave you a bath, and how much you have loved baths your whole life. I watched you splash and giggle and thought about the first time you smiled, and laughed. Now you are big enough to understand fake smiling and fake laughing to "be cute." But of course, it is cute. You make me smile everyday. I can't imagine not having you. My love for you has grown so much in the past year, and I know it will only continue to grow. The first time I held you one year ago, I knew my life would never be the same. And I was right. We've had some hard times, but they have been the best times. And I wouldn't trade them for the world! When I think about how fast this year has gone, I know this next year will go just as fast. And soon enough I will be reflecting on how little you are NOW. So I am still going to cherish every moment. Every smile, fake or not. I will especially cherish the times where you crawl/walk over to me just to climb up on my lap for a second and give me "loves". That's when I remember, you are still my baby and always will be. Just slow down, please!! Because this last month you have changed SO MUCH!


Firsts/Things you did:
-You now have 5 top teeth, and 2 bottom.
-You point at everything and make your baby noises like I understand what you're saying.
-You stand up by yourself, but whenever you think about taking a step, you sit down.
-You LOVE playing hide-n-seek. Daddy or I will run to a room upstairs and you will crawl as fast as you can to find us, then once you do we run to another room, and it goes on and on. You would play for hours.
-You still love Mickey Mouse and Baby Einstein but you have a new love for Blues Clues and Backyardigans. Anything that sings really.
-Your favorite show is Ellen, and you come crawling as fast as you can whenever you hear her show starting, then you sit and clap and laugh for atleast 10 minutes before getting bored. You even know part of her theme song! I will sing, "Let's have a little fun today," then you sing "YaYa." It's seriously the most adorable thing in the world, and I need to send Ellen a tape of you doing it.
-You eat almost everything we eat now and love your sippy cup with juice.
-Your favorite song is "Popcorn popping" and you say "Pop Pop Pop" alll day long waiting for me to sing it.
-You have been sitting forward in your carseat for a little bit now and you prefer it soo much over backwards. You are 25 pounds so I figure it's okay. (BIG boy.)
-You have been around your cousins, and some other baby friends more lately and are learning how to play. It's so cute to watch you get excited around "baby's" (I call them all baby's because you know what it means. Some of them aren't baby's..)
-You pretend to talk on the phone and say "Dada?" whenever I'm on the phone. You always wonder where he is!
-You know how to shake your head "no", and I think you know what it means. But sometimes you just do it to be funny.

There are so many things you learn and do everyday, I am sure I am missing some. But all I can think about right now is the big boy you are and the many many milestones you have reached since I first held you on May 26, 2010. Words cannot describe my love for you my little man. And I hope you know how much you are loved. Your daddy and I still come check on you every night before going to sleep and watch your cute little self all bundled up snoring, and it's my favorite time of day. We just stare at you and think "How did we get so lucky?". Daddy said last night that you are "the most adorable freaking thing in the whole freaking world." I think that sums it up pretty good. I love you so much Luke! And though I won't be writing monthly anymore, know that my love for you grows with every passing moment and you will always be my baby boy. PLEASE slow down honey. Because if every birthday is as hard as this one for me, I might die at a young age! Love you with all my heart. To the moon and back a thousand times!

Love,
Mom

Here are some of Luke's 1 year old pics/Family pics. There are TONS and I didn't even upload all. But I couldn't decide so enjoy the pic overload! We won a photo shoot from Amy Henderson (any Vegas friends who want a good/fun photographer, let me know!), shout out to Amy! Thanks!!:
LOVES bubbles

We love these two in the b-day hat!

We had a brilliant idea to get him in his swimsuit and let him play at the "splash pad" (It's just a big padded area that has "sprinklers" at the parks here in Vegas...well, he didn't like it so much :) The water was cold and surprised him I think. They are still cute though :)

Those stupid fly-aways! I need to edit them out :)

Influential people

This week I have had a couple different opportunities to think about different people who inspire me. Of course, all the mother figures in my life were on my mind all week. I am blessed to have grandmas, in-laws, and my own mother who have taught me millions of things (by example) when it comes to being a mom. Aside from them, my sisters-in-law and friends who are mothers and help me every day by giving advice or support when I have a hard day. One of my friends (thank you Lola!) posted an awesome quote on her facebook yesterday, Mother's Day. It said, "A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." I just love it! Isn't it so true? A mother would do anything for her children, and sometimes, for people outside of her own family. Motherhood is a selfless act, and takes a lot of strength sometimes to say, "Wow, I would really like a (blank) but my child really needs (blank) more." I can truly say that I enjoy being a mother above anything else I've ever "been" or ever will "be". It's THE BEST job in the world and it's hard work, but you see results of your hard work every day as your baby learns something new. I can't wait to watch my children grow and I can only hope to be as amazing as my own mother. She is my best friend and I can always count on her. She has the best advice because she knows ME and my desires so well. Love you mommy!




This week, I was also able to reflect on another influential person whom I didn't know too well, but I knew enough for her to have a lasting impact on my life. We don't get to see Drew's step-brother Cameron and his girlfriend Celina often enough. (We need to change that.) But everytime we had the opportunity to see them, Celina's little sister Valerie was with them. She was much a part of the Gatter(Burton) family as the rest of us. Valeria passed away a few days ago after battling cancer. Everytime I saw her she was such a positive person and she was so beautiful. I will truly miss her pretty smile, contagious laugh, and sweet spirit and personality at our family gatherings. And I know everyone else will too. I know we will see her again one day, and I am thankful for that knowledge. We all love you Val!



It is amazing to me the influence someone can be on your life whether you have known them literally your whole life, for a few years, or only for a few moments. It has inspired me to try my hardest to always be the kind of person that has influenced me. Someone I would want my children to be. Hopefully it's a goal I can accomplish sooner than later. :)

23rd Birthday, 3rd Anniversary

We have so much to celebrate during the months of April and May! My birthday, April 25th. Our anniversary, May 2nd. Mother's Day, (May 8th this year). Luke's birthday, May 26th. Poor Drew last night said that he doesn't like having 3 weeks in a row of "presents or cards" to buy me. I told him he doesn't need to worry about it! One thing will do. :) He surprised me with a trip to San Diego which I posted about last week, and also a gift card to H&M! Easter fell the day before my birthday (it was late this year! It's never been that close to my b-day before.) So we celebratedall weekend with my fam. On my actual birthday, my brother and sis-in-law Leesha offered to watch Luke. We went to dinner, shopped, got shaved ice, and Drew even took me to get a manicure. I have never had just a plain old manicure before. It was nice! He got one too :) Here are some pics from my b-day. I don't know why but 23 sounds so much older than 22!
23!

At the end of our date with our shaved ice. My fave!

He loves it...

Drew and I on our date, modeling my new hate from H&M :)

I have been playing piano since 1st grade, and my whole life I practiced and played on one piano until my Senior year of high school. My parents got a newer, nicer piano, and told me I could have the "old" (but awesome) piano. I didn't have a place to put it of course, going off to college, so I let my grandma keep it at her house until I had a place for it. Well, we FINALLY are established in a house in which we'll probably be in for a while. So...last weekend, my parents brought my piano down! Although it wasn't necessarily a birthday present, it was my favorite present!My parents also gave me clothes money and some shirts. Thanks mom and dad! Here it is..it looks great and makes our house even more "homey." I've already taken advantage of having it by playing it every day!
She's a beauty!

Another favorite gift was from my mom-in-law. She makes cute cute blankets, and made me this one for my b-day. It's SUPER long, like 10 feet, and just wide enough to fit Drew and I. I love it! It's also my wedding colors :) We tested it out and I can sit on one couch, Drew on the other, and we can still share it. It's awesome!She also got me a gift card to cheesecake factory. Thanks Lori!
Me having a "happy nap" with my new blanket!

Our 3rd anniversary was yesterday, May 2nd. Jerilyn, Drew's sis, offered to watch Luke so we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner with the gift card from Drew's mom. YUMMY. It wasn't really weight watcher approved, but hey, our anniversary only comes once a year! Plus, I've almost reached my 11 week goal, so I figured it was okay to treat myself. The food was great and so was the company. I love my hubby!
Drew set this up after our date was over and Luke was in bed. I LOVE cuddling in the hammock.

On our way to dinner.

My "card" for Drew.

At The District walking around after dinner.

These last 3 years have been so amazing. Since I've married Drew, we have had so many adventures and fun experiences. I know it wouldn't be near as exciting if I married anyone else. Drew has put up with so many mood swings and rocky days, I can't imagine anyone else understanding me the way he does. I love him so much and am so happy I have him for eternity. Love you, sweetie. Happy 3rd!