11 Months Old

No, no, no...this can't be happening. My little boy is not almost a year old, is he? Please tell me that everyone else out there gets a little crazy when their first child is about to be one. I feel like that at one, there is this magical transformation - and Brooks will no longer be my "little boy" but that everything he'll do will be "big boy" things. Wow! And it is a little crazy to think that he was born in Colorado, and he will be living in Texas on his first birthday. A lot can happen in one year, I guess.
I was going to bore you with the usually accomplishments that I give each month, but my friend inspired me to try something different. My friend (that's you Jenn) talked on her blog about the responsibility of being a mother. That everything we do is something that our kids will learn from. But we can turn that around, and learn some things from our kids as well. I haven't stopped thinking about that since I read her blog. And all day, I kept looking at Brooks and thinking about all the things he has taught me this last 11 months:
* Brooks has taught me that miracles do happen in this day in age, everyday I look at him is proof.
* I have always been told that I'm a patient person, but it is only now that I've been really tested. Nothing tests your patience better than a crying baby.
* Brooks has taught me to be happy with what I have. He never complains about his toys and talks about all the bigger and better toys that his friends have. He is content.
* On that same note, Brooks has taught me to make the best of what I have. You don't have to have fancy things to be happy, all you need is a remote control, or some newspaper, or even an old shoe. He is constantly playing with whatever happens to be around at that moment.
* Sometimes you just need to scream.
* Life is meant to be fun. Brooks has fun in life and smiles at everything and everyone...that makes me smile (even when I'm having a rough day).
* He has helped me learn that what's in the past is in the past. I can tell him "No" one second. He'll cry because he totally knows what that means. And then a second later he is reaching for me to give me a hug. Forgiveness can be easy.
* Brooks has reminded me that there is never a bad time to pick up a book and read. He LOVES reading and turning the pages in his books. Maybe I should try that more instead of watching TV or getting on the computer.
* Brooks has taught me to love my husband more. A healthy family starts with a healthy marriage. And I want Brooks to have the healthiest, happiest family he can.
* Sometimes the best conversation has no words at all. As adults we gush over words and try to make ourselves sound smart by extending our vocabulary so we say things like "myriad" instead of just saying "a lot". Brooks can give me a hug and lay his head on my shoulder and that speaks to me more than words. Sometimes we don't need to say anything at all.


Brooks is 11 months old today and he has already taught me so much. I can't imagine what I'll learn from him in the next 10 or 20 years.

The traditional chair picture:



I think Brooks might get his Daddy's curly hair. See his "wings" on the side:


My little reader: