My little boy's first haircut

Like Lila, Brighton has a TON of hair. Unlike Lila we didn't think we could wait until he was almost three to do it. His hair was starting to get in the way and kind of always look messy (but adorable) so the morning of his birthday party we decided to cut his hair before church. I was really sad to do it, but I knew that it needed to be done eventually so why not then?

Something I have always loved about Brighton's hair is that it's pretty dark, I would say brown, and had curls coming in at the back. He was just the handsomest little boy in the world! 

We started to cut his hair and right away I kept thinking, "what are we doing?!" By the time it was done I was sad. It didn't look bad at all, but he no longer looked like a little baby. In fact, he definitely looked like a little boy! My baby was gone! 

Also, his hair is SO blonde now. :( Don't get me wrong… I love blonde hair, but the darker hair was something that I felt like he got from me.

Before:

During: Sorry it's so blurry

 After:

I do love his hair now, but I still miss his baby hair. I feel that way about Lila's hair, too, though. 

Oh well, I guess they have to grow up sometime right? It just feels like it's happening so fast. Who knew I'd get so emotional over a haircut. :) 

My Very Hungry Birthday Boy

On Sunday, the 18th, we celebrated Bright's birthday with family around. It was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" themed and it turned out so cute! I thought that fit Brighton perfectly since he ALWAYS seems to be hungry and is growing so fast. :) 

The Birthday boy the morning of his party.

The party was at Grandma McSweeney's house. Thanks for hosting!

Brighton enjoyed the fruit… especially the pears.

It was so fun to have most of my family around. We had a BBQ and then the five fruits at the beginning of the book. We also ended with the little chocolate cupcakes (also from the book). I had a lot of fun planning it. 

Brighton's special cupcake (smash cake)

Brighton did a great job eating/destroying his cupcake, although just like his big sis. he cried at first and didn't want to try it. :) 

He was spoiled with gifts from his cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. 

Brighton after his bath… you may have noticed his hair is gone. ( :( ) that's a post for another day.

I don't have all the pictures from the fun day. I'm mostly missing his present pictures… I'll need to get those from my family, but it was a really great day! Thanks everyone for coming and supporting Brighton on his big day!

ONE

My dear, dear Brighton,

Once again as I brought a child into the world things did not turn out as well as I expected. You came so early and so tiny and I, once again, was scared. I was scared that I had done something wrong, that I hadn’t paid attention to warning signs, that I had somehow failed you. 

When I first went to the hospital the morning of your birth I did not think I would have a baby. I did not think that I would have a baby that I would have to eventually leave behind in the hospital. But I did, and you know what? It ended up being a beautiful experience. Because of you I got to see the love that so many strangers can have for a baby. I received so much strength and support from the wonderful nurses who took care of you when I so badly wanted to but couldn’t. I got to know and learn to rely on the doctors that always looked for ways to improve your situation. Brighton, sometimes I got frustrated that so many other people got to take care of you and make decisions for your welfare when I couldn’t, but now I am so grateful for it.

I learned so much. I learned that I didn’t know everything just because I already had a child. I learned that sometimes I have to trust other people in scary situations. I learned again that God really is always there and He is someone to turn to at all times in life. Thank you, Brighton, for teaching me so much.

When you did get to come home you were still so small and had cords all over and I couldn’t imagine a time when you would be as big and as “normal” as a baby of your age. You proved me wrong though, my little love. You grew so fast and so strong! 

Your doctor was amazed with your progress. Your family was amazed with your progress. I was ecstatic with your progress. Could a baby who started out with so many struggles really have come so far so fast? Isn’t God so good?!

Before long you were a very healthy, very rambunctious little boy. You grew quickly and with so much excitement. You began to love food and I mean LOVE food!!! You loved everyone around you, but most of all you loved your sister. 

Watching you two interact has been such a beautiful blessing. Every time I see the two of you together, I can’t help but feel that my heart is going to burst with happiness. 

You two show me what true, unconditional love looks like. You two help me to want to be better. You, Brighton, help me to want to be a better mom, because you and Lila deserve it. 

My heart has grown so much bigger since adding you into our family. I’m so grateful that your father and I decided to act on faith and have a second child when we were nervous, because that meant we got to have you.

My little boy, you went from a baby who really struggled in the beginning, to a strong eater, smiler, giggler, laugher, roller, sitter-upper, cruiser, walker, and now even a runner. Baby boy, you walked at 9 ½ months old! You did that! You proved statistics wrong! You started on baby food late and now you eat whatever you can get your hands on! J You have continued to shine with personality. You are quickly growing out of being my baby boy, but you will always be my handsome and wonderful son.

We have made some wonderful memories as a family since you have come. We had all of the regular holidays together, but they seemed better this year… more magical. Our everyday life seems more magical. 

Brighton, please know that your father and I love you very much. We cannot believe the luck we had in getting you as a son. 

I want you to know that we will always love you and are grateful that you are a part of our forever family. I also want you to know that your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. Please always turn to them in your life. Please remember where you came from. Please remember that you are a child of God! I love you, I love you, I love you.

                  Love always,

    Mom

Donuts

For our anniversary Micah got me a few things for the kitchen… perfect for me! :) One of the things he bought me was a donut pan. I have been wanting one for a while and so he got me one. 

Look how beautiful they are! 

I love that I can make my own donuts at home. I really love treats (too much) and I love even more being able to make them.

My next project is mini bundt cakes with the other pan that he bought me. Thanks love! 

Easter Time!

This year Easter was a lot of fun. Lila understood more and it was Bright's first one so it was great!

We didn't do a lot but we spent a lot of time together as a family, which I loved. Lila went to an Easter egg hunt in Lindon on Saturday. It was great because it had eggs and candy strewn all over the grass and there were age categories. This way Lila got enough stuff and was able to have fun.

The next day, actual Easter Sunday, we went to church, which was excellent. I really love the messages that are shared on Easter. The primary also sung the song "Gethsemane" which I have really come to love. 

After, we went down to my mum's house and had a dinner and egg hunt with most of the family. We also got these FANTASTIC Cadbury milk chocolate eggs that my dad sent all the way from Australia! 

They reminded me of Easter when I was younger. Thanks so much, dad! We absolutely loved them! Especially Lila…

Lila ate all of hers (don't judge ;) ), Brighton did not.

"Nummy, nummy, nummy!"

Brighton got to participate in his first Easter egg hunt at my mum's house. He did pretty well. He was especially interested in the bright pink ones. I think they were what he could see best. He couldn't see the camouflage ones unless we got him really close to them first. He also seemed to enjoy the peeps. He  really wanted the sour ones even though he made faces like this…

 

Easter is such a beautiful time of year to really ponder about the Savior and all that He has done for me. When I am with my family I feel more grateful and appreciative of what I have and the blessings that endlessly come my way.