It was 3:00am on October the 14th, and I could feel the contractions coming on. 

I was scheduled to be induced at 6am that morning, since he was a week late.

I didn’t know if those were contractions or not, so finally I woke TJ up and told him we needed to leave.

I was having the worst pains!

You can read the full Birth Story here, and watch our birth story video. 

I must warn you… you will bawl.  Especially if you’re a mom, and ESPECIALLY if you are pregnant.

Oaks was born at 2:24pm on October the 14th.  Weighing 9 pounds and 1oz.

That moment of him getting laid on my chest skin to skin, will never be forgotten. 

That moment is the most special moment and gift you could ever get.

The feels are deep.  It is something you cannot describe or put into words.

Since my little man is ONE.  CRAZY.  (insert balling face)

I wanted to share 12 things he has taught me this year, and 12 things about him.

1. PATIENCE.  I didn’t know how much patience I had until he came along.  He made me take a step back and calm down and take breaths and center myself on whats important.  From the sleepless nights, the whining, the pooping every 2 seconds, the crying… he taught me to be more patient!
2. GAINED MORE EMPATHY.  I feel more now.  If that makes sense.  I don’t want to say I care more, because that sounds bad, but I feel more.  I can feel the pain of others, and get sad for them and want to help them feel better in every way I can. 
3. TO DANCE MORE.  Okay, Oaks thinks it is so funny when I act silly and do random dance moves and clog for him, and that just makes us both laugh and smile.  He LOVES IT.
4. LIVE IN THE MOMENT.  He’s taught me to live in the moment, and just be and watch him smile, play, laugh, eat, and sleep.  He’s taught me to put down my phone and just be with him and do fun things together.  I love watching him grow.
5. WORRY LESS.  I know that sounds so weird for a first time mom, but I used to worry about things that really aren’t that important.  Of course, I have gained another worry haha.  Which is his safety, and health, but to me thats a better worry then my hair, or what my make up looks like haha.
6. ENJOYING THE SIMPLE THINGS.  staying at home and playing peekaboo, chasing him around in our pjs is what matters to me and what brings me joy.  Those simple moments are the ones I will cherish the most.
7. LAUGH IT OFF.  When life get stressful, and hectic.  Work, housework etc.. That smile on his face helps calm me down, and helps turn a negative into a positive.
8. SMILE MORE.  This goes for number 7, but I smile SO much more with him around.  He is the light of our lives.
9. TO FORGIVE.  I know that I had a hard time with this one, with certain things that have happened in my life, but he’s taught me to move forward and forgive.
10. BE SILLY.  From making crazy weird faces and noises at him to get him to laugh.  I would say I am pretty damn silly these days.
11. INSPIRED.  Now more than ever I want to create an amazing life for him and my future expanding family.  He inspires me to stop making excuses and just do it.  To keep going and not give up.  And to work harder than ever.
12. Saved the best for last.  LOVE DEEPLY.  This new love I feel is extremely overwhelming, and scary at times.  He’s taught me to love all and be more kind when times get rough.   You moms know what that love is.  Something you can’t describe right?  I cry sometimes because I love him so much.  He is truly the biggest blessing.

So now onto my little monkey.

1. He’s the most laid back chill baby you will ever meet in your life.  (I thank my dear husband for that gift)
2. He’s patient, and can be easily talked out of his bad moods.
3. He’s always happy and smiling.
4. He doesn’t like to snuggle to much, but he sure likes to give us lots of kisses.
5. He loves momma and daddy the best so far. (I mean I would hope so haha)
6. He loves mac n cheese, PB and J sandwiches, green juice and sweet potatoes,
7. He walks a lot and likes to play peek a boo, and I’m gonna get you!
8. He sleeps through the night, and likes to wake up and watch cartoons.
9. He loves kitty and likes to give her loves and also smack her constantly.
10. He likes to stare at people and is very observant.  The second baby will probably be great entertainment for him. 
11. Favorite thing to do, is eat his lil crunchies, and roll cans or balls on our kitchen floor, and his excitement move is arms up and out, with the right arm moving in and it.  Its the cutest.
12. He’s a very well natured baby.  Which we are so grateful for! (does that mean our next will be the devil….. ) haha jk.

This year has been a whirlwind of emotions.  Its been very hard, and very rewarding.

Being a first time mom was insanely crazy, and there were days where I didn’t think I could make it through. 

But you always do. 

From breastfeeding 24/7, to feeling like a huge slob, and not good enough.  It all gets better.  It truly does.

Becoming a mom was truly amazing don’t get me wrong, but its been very hard to adjust to. 

I have had my darkest days since becoming a mom, but I have also had my happiest days since becoming a mom. 

I tell you more on my Baby Blues post HERE.

So I will leave with this…. I love being a mom so much and feel truly blessed.  It really goes so fast.

New moms… enjoy every second, don’t sweat the small stuff, don’t worry about your weight right off the bat.

Enjoy all the snuggles and time with them because you blink and they’re one.

Enjoy it all!  And truly don’t worry about anything else, but the sweet special moments you get to share with your new baby.

Those times I will never ever forget! 

SOOOO HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE OAKS!

Now, off we go to celebrate his FIRST birthday!  The first is always the most special.   We are headed to the pumpkin patch to let him roam, and just do whatever the heck he wants… eat sugar all day, climb the stairs a millions times, play peekaboo, and open and close all the cupboards and doors in the house.  

OAKS OUTFIT

RYLEE AND CRU ROMPER / FRESHLY PICKED MOCS 

WEARING NASTY GAL DRESS (CUTE HERE,)

Thanks to SWEET TOOTH FAIRY for making his cake, @RACHELOSGUTHORPE for the leaves arrangements, @TNEES_TPEES for the teepee tent, and PAIGE NICOLLE PHOTO

For making these turn out amazing and so dang cute!  We took 1,000 photos, so this is narrowing it down, trust me!  Can you blame me.  Look at that cute little stinker!