two years

Two years ago on November 6 at 11:14 PM after a VERY long day, I got to meet Cory Harper Buwalda. I didn't know very much about him then other than the fact that I already had so much love for him. He was adorable, perfect and squishy and I just loved him. Every day with him, I learned a little more about him and a little more about me. He's my little buddy. Now, after 2 years, I know a lot more things about him:

He loves baths
He loves suckers, cookies, tootsie rolls, carrots, popcorn, yogurt, fruit smoothies, and cereal
He loves balloons
He love the vacuum
He loves anything that makes him feel like a "big boy"
He loves to sleep
He lovest to swing
He loves music, dancing and singing
He loves his family
He loves our dog, maggie (even though the feeling is not mutual)
He loves ringing the doorbell
He loves taking walks
He loves riding in the car, but loves it even more when we get where we're going
He loves elmo, barney, blue's clues and backyardigans
He loves all 10 of his stuffed animals plus two blankies that he has to have to go to sleep
He loves riding the train in chicago
He loves playing games on the iPad
He loves wearing glasses
He loves giving hugs and kisses

He doesn't love being told no
He doesn't love peas, green beans, meat, bread
He doesn't love being buckled in his high chair
He doesn't love sharing toys
He doesn't love messes, especially on his hands
He doesn't love when things aren't exactly the way he wants them to be

Some of these things, I'm sure, are true with all kids his age, but the list speaks for itself to say that Cory is a pretty happy guy and he has a lot of joyful things in his life. There are days that he tests my patience, but I wouldn't trade any moment with this kid. He is so sweet, loving, happy, wild and funny. I'm so excited to see the man that he becomes, but more excited to enjoy every second I can with him before that.

embrace it

So here we are, it's November 3. Not sure how that happened or when summer even started. My life has been one crazy whirlwind this last, well few years actually. I embraced fall early this year and I got my fall decorations out early and we picked pumpkins early, and it was nice. I got tired of fighting something that was all around me. I used to wait until October 1st or at least until I needed a jacket outside, but this year I decided to just embrace it and enjoy it early because everyone else was. Well, I'm here again. Everyone is talking about Christmas and listening to Christmas music and my instinct is to say, "NO, it's not even thanksgiving yet, you can't skip a holiday!" However, I'm realizing that there is this really awkward "in between" time after Halloween until Thanksgiving. Yes, I have A turkey and I leave up my pumpkins, but what else is there to do before thanksgiving. There are no presents to buy, no costumes to plan, there's really nothing other than express gratitude for everything in your life (which I absolutely am doing). Anyway, I've decided that Thanksgiving is basically apart of the Christmas season. Why does the magic of Christmas have to wait until the day after Thanksgiving. I want to celebrate it as long as possible! All that to say, I'm listening to Christmas music today. And I'm loving it. Why fight it anymore. It's here and it makes me happy, and on days that I can hardly get off the couch or open my mouth from fear of vomiting (sorry, too graphic) I need something that makes me happy. Even if it's as simple as Christmas music on Pandora.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..."