My Dearest Wesley,

It doesn’t seem possible that it has already been a year since I sat in the hospital, holding you in my arms, still in disbelief that you were mine. But no matter how many times I have tried to hit pause, you have been growing up right before my eyes. I am so proud of you, Wes. So so proud.

Right from the start you were the most easy-going baby I had ever known. Even strangers would comment on it. It is one of the things I love most about you. I love how you just go with the flow. How you are happy anywhere. How you smile at me when you do something wrong. I love the way you throw food to the dogs and then look at me and say “Uh-Oh”.

You are fearless and a daredevil. We joke that danger is your middle name. I admire this quality in you. I am a constant over thinker. You are more of a risk-taker. I think it is a trait that will serve you well in life.

I don’t think you understood why we were making such a fuss over you today. You made a pouty face any time we would say happy birthday, or sing, or make too big a deal over you. But the cake- oh, the cake- that you liked. While your brother was timid and barely made a dent in the frosting on his first birthday, you dove right in like a seasoned pro.  Naturally, the cake was chocolate- that has always been your favorite.

Wes, I don’t know what I would do without you. It is hard to imagine that you haven’t always been a part of our family. You are the perfect compliment to us all. Thank you for making my life better. Thank you for teaching me new levels of patience. Thank you for greeting me each morning with a smile. Thank you for being you.

I love you, son. Each day your personality shows through more and more. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Whatever it is- know that I am always here for you, and I have loved you from the very start. From the very minute I laid eyes on you, I was proud to call you my son.

Love forever,

Mommy

I will admit that when I moved to Iowa City from Colorado 5 years ago, I was less than thrilled about it. Why would anyone want to live in Iowa? It was cold in the winter and humid and hot in the summer and it took me much too long to warm up to it. But I did. And then, just like that, our 4 years there were over, and we were in a moving van headed to Columbus. That 4 years that I had thought would drag by passed in a blink, and it took being gone to make me realize how good we had it in Iowa.

Last week we loaded up the car and made the drive back to our old home to attend the wedding of my childhood friend.  Evan was thrilled. The whole car ride he kept saying “Iowa! Just like where I was born!” And we told him about our old house, and our favorite apple orchard, and all the other things that had made up our lives for 4 years. I suddenly felt homesick for a place I had been reluctant to call home. I suppose it isn’t too surprising though- Iowa City is where we had our first home as husband and wife, where our first baby was born. Where we learned so much about being a family of our own.

Leaving Iowa had been a blur of selling our house, packing, saying goodbyes to friends, and then diving head first in to life here in Columbus. And did I mention I was 30 weeks pregnant when we moved? I never gave myself a chance to think about all that I would miss. As I watched the miles of interstate pass under our tires, I thought about my old home.  About rocking Evan in his nursery that I had painted just for him. About cooking his birthday cake in the oven that I had picked out. I thought about where I had been when I received the call that my Papa had passed away. I thought about all our old friends, and the countless barbecues and picnics we had shared. I thought of all the little places and things that had been woven in to the fabric of my life just by being there. And then, like that- we were home.

Our first stop was to Wilson’s Orchard, for apple turnovers and of course- apples. We were a little early in the season, but it didn’t matter. Evan had been too young to really understand apple picking the last time we were there, and my heart was just so full watching him explore the orchard. I think he knew he was home too.

It was Wes’ first visit to the orchard, and to Iowa. It is safe to say he took to it right away!

This picture is part of my 52 Weeks Project.

After the orchard, we headed to another favorite place- Isaac’s Creamery- for some ice cream and giggles. These just might be some of my favorite pictures of Evan, ever!

We have decided that we are going to make a yearly trip to Iowa to visit all of our favorite places. Without knowing it, I left a part of  my heart there- and being back just gave me a sense of peace I haven’t had in awhile. I will always be a Colorado girl, but I am proud to have Iowa City and Columbus on my life’s passport.

Evan has a small obsession with my phone.  He knows how to call someone, and loves to call the grandparents or Chris and tell them about his day. He usually starts off with a good “Soooo, how was your day?” and will usually throw at least one of the following questions in as well:

• “So, what did you dream about?”
• “So, what are you going to do today?”
• “So, what is Grandpa/Uncle Josh/the dog doing today?”

Today as I was trying to pack for our quick trip to Iowa City, he grabbed the phone and talked to Grandma Nancy for a good 20 minutes. I love the he is so social. Let’s just hope he doesn’t figure out how to dial China. Or 911….

A quick note to clients, I will have limited internet access until Monday.

Just my boys, playing a little Red Light, Green Light together last night. I love to capture moments like this. Moments that you know one day you will look back on and think, those were the days. Days full of laughs and giggles and hugs, and fun that never ended.